4 Reconnaissance Commando (South Africa)

In 1976, during Operation Savannah, a need was identified for more operational special forces units and in particular units with more specialised skills.[1]^: Ch2 In March 1976, Major Malcolm Kinghorn formed a sub-unit specialising in amphibious operations for use in Angola during Operation Savannah.[1]^: Ch2 It was formed at Salisbury Island, Durban and consisted of a headquarters unit of Kinghorn and a NCO and two units of six men each and was called Charlie (C) Group of 1 Reconnaissance Commando.[1]^: Ch2

On 1 May 1976, the Defence Minister approved the formation of 4 Reconnaissance Commando but it would take a further two years before it was formally established.[1]^: Ch2 The unit was formed on the 17 July 1978 as 4 Reconnaissance Commando at Langebaan with Major Kinghorn as the first commanding officer and the first RSM was Warrant Officer “Chili” du Plessis.[1]^: Ch2 It was initially made up of members of 1 Reconnaissance Commando.[2] On 1 January 1979, Major Kinghorn was given a temporary rank of Commandant. During the 1981 reorganisation, 4 Reconnaissance Commando was renamed 4 Reconnaissance Regiment (4RR).[2] The unit was said to be small with mainly white soldiers who operated in Angola and Mozambique[3]^: Chp3

In 1978, 4 Reconnaissance Commando was initially structured into three groups:[1]^: Ch3

• Alpha Group – amphibious operations training,
• Bravo Group – operational,
• Charlie Group – diving,

but when 4 Reconnaissance Commando was renamed 4 Reconnaissance Regiment in 1981 it was structured as:

4.1 Commando – operational component with five teams:[1]^: Ch3

• Diving Team – offensive operational attack divers
• Boat Team – maintain and operate the teams boats and work with the naval vessels crews
• Offensive Team – carried out the special forces tasks
• Small Teams – carry out reconnaissance and lead the offensive teams to the targets
• Reconnaissance Team – handle intelligence gathering operations in larger teams

4.2 Commando – training element later called Special Forces Amphibious and Urban School[1]^: Ch3

The next reorganisation occurred in 1992 when the Special Forces HQ was disbanded and renamed the Directorate Reconnaissance Forces and 4 RR remained but 2RR, the citizen force unit, was disbanded.[2] In 1993, a further reorganisation occurred when the Directorate Reconnaissance Forces was renamed as the 45 Para Brigade and 4 Reconnaissance Commando was renamed the 453 Para Battalion.[2] The last change occurred in 1995, 45 Para Brigade became the Special Forces Brigade and subsequently 453 Para Battalion is now called 4 Special Forces Regiment.[2]

Officers commanding were:[4]

• 1978–1982: Cmdt. M. Kinghorn
• 1982–1994: Col. J. Venter
• 1994–n.d.: Col. K. Nel

• Steyn, Douw; Söderlund, Arné (2015). Iron Fist From The Sea: South Africa's Seaborne Raiders 1978-1988 (Kindle ed.). Solihull, West Midlands: Helion & Company. ISBN 978-1909982284.

• http://www.recce.co.za/cold-war-africa/