Middelburg Commando

Middelburg Commando was a light infantry regiment of the South African Army. It formed part of the South African Army Infantry Formation as well as the South African Territorial Reserve.

Middelburg Commando
Middelburg Commando emblem
Country South Africa
Allegiance
Branch
TypeInfantry
RoleLight Infantry
SizeOne Battalion
Part ofSouth African Infantry Corps
Army Territorial Reserve
Garrison/HQMiddelburg

History

Origin

The Middelburg Commando can probably trace its origins to the Middelburg Vrywilligers (English: Middelburg Volunteers) of 1876 of the Middelburg, Mpumalanga town in the ZAR.

Boer Bagananwa War
Main article: Malaboch War

During the period of 1894–95, the Middleburg commando was involved in the Siege of Leboho as a result of the government introducing a hut tax on people living in their suzerainty. Kgosi Maleboho and the Bahananwa refused to pay taxes and three commandos were sent to subdue them, besieging their mountain fortress.[1][2]

Anglo Boer War

During the Anglo Boer War, the Middelburg Commando was engaged against the British at the Battle of Thukela Heights on 13 to 28 February 1900 and the Battle of Bergendal on 21 August 1900.[3][4]

With the Union Defence Force

Closed down by the British following the Anglo Boer War, it then existed as a Rifle Association in the early 1920s until the formal establishment as a Rifle Commando around 1949.[5][6]

With the SADF

During this era, the unit was mainly used for area force protection, search and cordones as well as stock theft control assistance to the rural police. The unit was part of the Danie Theron Group of the Northern Transvaal Command. It was then placed under the command of Group 12 HQ at Ermelo.

Disbandment

This unit, along with all other Commando units was disbanded after a decision by South African President Thabo Mbeki to disband all Commando Units.[7][8] The Commando system was phased out between 2003 and 2008 "because of the role it played in the apartheid era", according to the then Minister of Safety and Security, Charles Nqakula.[9]

Unit insignia
SADF era Middelburg Commando Insignia

Leadership
Leadership
From Honorary Colonels To
From Commanding Officers To
1899 Commandant W.J. Steyn 1902
1900 Commandant Piet Trichaardt[lower-alpha 1] 1900
From Regimental Sergeants Major To

See also

Notes
  1. Took command at the Battle of Thukela Heights

References
  1. Crain, Patricia (2014). The Siege of Leboho. Our Story: The People, Clans and Events that shaped Southern Africa. Vol. 3. South African Heritage Publishers. ISBN 978-0992228743. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
  2. Van Schalkwyk, J A; Moifatswane, S M (June 1991). "The Siege of Leboho: South African Republic Fortifications in the Blouberg, Northern Transvaal". South African Military History Society - Journal. samilitaryhistory.org. 8 (5). ISSN 0026-4016. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
  3. "Anglo Boer War - Middelburg Commando". angloboerwar.com. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
  4. "5. New Memorial plaque - Middelburg Commando Anglo Boer War 1899–1902". Retrieved 4 May 2023.
  5. "Middelburg Commando - First World War Casualties".
  6. "The South Africa War Graves Project - Search Results". Retrieved 4 May 2023.
  7. van Stade, Col L B (1997). "Rationalisation in the SANDF: The Next Challenge". Institute for Security Studies. Archived from the original on 16 March 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
  8. "About the Commando system". South African Police Service. Archived from the original on 6 December 2007. Retrieved 17 January 2008.
  9. de Lange, Deon. "South Africa: Commandos Were 'Hostile to New SA'". Cape Argus. Retrieved 5 March 2015.


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