Regiment North Natal

Regiment North Natal
Regiment North Natal emblem
Active	1950
Allegiance	Republic of South Africa  South Africa
Branch	South African Army
Size	Battalion
Part of	South African Infantry Corps Army Conventional Reserve
Garrison/HQ	PaulPietersburg, Vryheid, Newcastle
Motto(s)	Libertatem tenemus (Hold Freedom)
Battle honours
Commanders
First Officer Commanding	Commandant Willie Stumph
Last Officer Commanding	Lt Colonel Ferdie Alberts

Regiment North Natal was an infantry battalion of the South African Army. As a reserve force unit, it had a status roughly equivalent to that of a British Army Reserve or United States Army National Guard unit.

History

Regiment North Natal was established in the 1950s at Paulpietersburg and named originally as Regiment Smuts.^[1]

SADF Regiment Smuts beret badge

The regiment was renamed Regiment North Natal in 1961 and its headquarters was moved to Vryheid. Members served in Owamboland in northern South West Africa from 1976 to 1980. The headquarters was finally moved again to Newcastle around 1980.

Border War

The regiment served in numerous deployments in the Border War in SWA/Namibia where 4 active companies and about 800 Citizen Force members served in the operational and border areas.

Democratic elections of 1994

In 1994 the regiment provided reaction force support to the police for South Africa's first democratic elections.

Disbandment

Regiment North Natal was disbanded in 1997.^[2]

Battle honours

See also: List of South African Battle Honours

Freedom of the City

Freedom of Vryheid in 1961.

Leadership

Regimental emblems

Dress Insignia

SADF era Regiment North Natal insignia

Roll of Honour

References

1. "South African Unit Profiles".
2. "Ou Soldate Sterf nooit – Hulle onthou net die ou dae…".