34 Battalion was commonly known as the “Kavangoland Battalion” and it was established in 1975 as 1 Kavango Battalion to serve as a ceremonial guard of honour. It was then renamed 34 Battalion and again renamed 202 Battalion in 1980.
As part of Sector 20, their main area of responsibility was from Rundu West as far as Sector 10 and East up to the Bagani Bridge and they were credited with completely suppressing all insurgency activities in the Kavango area of the South West Africa region by 1987. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/34_Battalion. The unit was disbanded in 1990/1991
In 1987, Cmdt JR Liebenberg tasked the RSM, WO1 FJS Scheepers to erect a Memorial to the Fallen of 202 battalion and to create a museum at the base in Rundu in what was then South West Africa. It was inaugurated by Major General WC Meyer and OC Sector 20 Col. PM Muller on 8 November 1987
When South West Africa gained it’s independence the memorial, like many memorials in the operational area was moved to safety, but unfortunately it went “missing” and was eventually traced to the Army College in Pretoria but it had been destroyed at some point.
The Roll of Honour falling victim at the same time.
It is hoped that one day a new memorial will be erected to remember those members of 202 Battalion who paid the ultimate price.
Roll Of Honour.
The Roll of Honour is a work in process as more information is forthcoming. It is based off the ROH at the 202 Bn Wikipedia page but is by no means complete)
This memorial, also known as the Desert Patrol Statue, was photographed by Terry Cawood in August 2012. It commemorates the South African Mounted Police and their use of Camels and is situated in Upington. It was unveiled on 29 April 1988.
Dedication plaque
The statue may be found at Google Earth co-ordinates: 28°26’59.50″S, 21°15’34.15″E
The Koevoet Memorial is situated at the Voortrekker Monument in Pretoria and images of it were kindly provided by Ryno Human and are used with his permission.
The Memorial was unveiled on 6 April 2013 by Lt Genl “Sterk Hans” JG Dreyer SOO, SOE. Founder and officer commanding Koevoet. The Roll of Honour may be found at South African Police Officers Memorial.
I was totally unaware of this memorial until I received an email from Ryno, who said that he had seen it while playing rugby at the school. I was quite surprised myself but had to wait till school re-opened before being able to photograph it. Unfortunately it also decided to rain during my visit so invariably I will have to go back one of these days for better pics (I am afraid that never happened). Special thanks to Hoërskool Roodepoort for giving me permission to photograph the memorial. There are 6 names of past pupils on the memorial. It was designed and erected by Gerhard Kotze. November 1992
CO. C.J. Joubert 13-07-1966 (SAAF)
Cpl. D. Van Niekerk 07-03-1985 (SACMP)
Capt. C.L. Smith 21-08-1973 (SAAF)
L/Cpl W.A. Van Wyk 27-06-1988 (10 Armrd Car Sqdn)
Cpl. R.S. Gibbon 19-06-1976 (1SSB)
2Lt. H. Stapelberg 31-07-198 (116 Battalion)
“Mobilitate Vincere” – Destruction of the enemy through mobility.
When 61 Mechanised Battalion Group was disbanded in November 2005, amongst its regalia was the Memorial Needle where the unit remembered those who had died in battle. This memorial had been with the unit since Omuthiya, where it had been originally erected in 1984. When the unit re-located it was moved to Walvis Bay for storage. During 1992 it was moved once again to the Army Battle School at Lohathla and re-erected. With the disbanding of the unit the memorial was left without a home until the formation of the 61 Mechanised Battalion Group Veterans Association. High on the list of priorities was moving the regalia of the unit to somewhere safe, the most logical place being the South African National Museum of Military History in Saxonwold, Johannesburg.
I had first become aware of the memorial through John Dovey who posted photographs of it on the Armytalk webgroup. My own connection to the unit had ended in December 1981, but I still consider it to me my “Home Unit”. The image below, found in a “Paratus” of Feb 1985, shows the Memorial as it was at Omuthiya.
I was a member of Bravo Company that served with the unit from Dec 1980-Dec 1981, and have 3 friends listed on that memorial. I really hoped that one day I would be fortunate enough to see it up close and personal.
The move to the museum was set in motion, and on 25 May 2010 it was re-erected at the Diphong Museum of Military History in Saxonwold (aka National Museum of Military History), and the unveiling of the memorial was set to coincide with the Anniversary of Operation Sceptic (Smokeshell) as well as the Annual General Meeting of the 61 Mech Battalion Group Veterans Association.
Like many such memorials it is visually striking, replete with the original 61 insignia on the needle. The name plates had been fixed around the base and the white stones provided a contrast with the gry granite from Karabib in what was then South West Africa. The grounds of the museum provide an interesting contrast with weapons from both World Wars and those who attended on this day were veterans of the Border War, and most were proud members of the unit, having served with it over the years.
We were blessed with perfect weather on 12 June 2010, and we all gathered at the National Museum of Military History. The functionary was Maj Gen (retired) J.M Dippenaar SD, SM, MMM SA ST K (ARMY) Who is also the patron of the 61 Mech Military Veterans Association. The parade commander was Lt (Veteran) Ariel Hugo, who served with 61 Mech during 1980/81. The parade Warrant Officer was Chief Warrant Officer J.J Kemp, PMM, MMM, of 43 Brigade HQ and ex RSM of 61 Mech from Dec 1986 to Dec 1992.
The unit existed for 27 years, and participated in 37 large scale operations and actions. Earning itself a fierce-some reputation and was considered to be one of the finest fighting units in the history of South African military operations.
Originally founded as Battle Group Juliet for an operation against the Chetequera base in Angola, it was renamed 61 Mechanised Battalion Group in January 1979, and took its place in the regular order of battle as the first ever constituted multi-arm fighting unit, later becoming the armys’ rapid response unit. Comprising a semi permanent force of Infantry, artillery and armour, it was equipped with Ratels, Eland and G5 artillery pieces, these being upgraded as newer weapons came available as a result of experience gained in the border war. It’s main base was in Omuthiya in Owamboland (Google Earth co-ordinates: -18.491546°, 17.061755°) where the memorial was first erected. The unit was based at Walvis Bay for a period before relocating to the Army Battle School at Lohathla where it remained until it was disbanded.
Sadly, like so many other units, it bore a number of casualties, and the names of these are inscribed on plaques around the base of the memorial; each major operation being covered by a plaque. The full Roll of Honour may be found at the appropriate webpage of the veterans group.
Finally disbanded on 18 November 2005, the battalion group became part of history, and a much feared unit that was respected by friend and foe and one that carried the fight deep into enemy territory.
The Hind Memorial forms part of the legacy and traditions of 61 Mech.
The brass bell, engraved “Ano De Santo 1950” was liberated from the battlefields by members of 61, although the origin of where it came from is not known as it was in the hands of FAPLA at the time. It was taken to Omuthiya where it was placed adjacent to the 61 Memorial. It is named after 2nd Lt Adrian Hodgson Hind who was killed on 3 October 1987 during the attack on 47 Brigade.
Today the memory of the unit lives on in it’s veterans and the association that has helped to maintain the legacy of the unit. Active participation by members of its leader group has ensured that the legacy carries forwards into tomorrow. The memorial and exhibition space dedicated to the unit at the museum will ensure that others will come to know the history behind the memorial that they encounter as they enter the museum. Ironically the museum does not have an example of a Ratel IFV in the collection, although it did have at one point. (This has since been rectified I believe)
The original Ratel that used to be at the war museum (2004?)
There is a special exhibition room in the museum dedicated to 61 Mech and it is worthwhile stopping to relive some of the memories inside the space.
Mockup Ratel 90 in the exhibition space
Bravo Company of 1981 trained at 1SAI in Bloemfontein in 1980, before being sent to the border in December 1980. I joined the company shortly before it started doing evaluation in De Brug before it went to Omuthiya. It was the resident infantry company and was based there for the whole of 1981 except for a short period when it participated in a battlegroup at Lohathla that was really a rehearsal for Ops Protea. The company was in action during Ops Carrot, Ops Protea, and Ops Daisy and suffered 3 losses while it was with 61 Mech. Those names are now inscribed on the memorial. (P Hall, L Van Rooyen, JL Potgieter)
The names are in the order that the brass plaques are placed on the Tree of Honour. The limitations of this page have meant that I am using an image of the original post of the ROH I had on my website. (Image opens in a new window)
The 32 Battalion Tree of Honour was originally unveiled on 26 May 1985 by Maj Genl. GL Meiring, commander of SWATF. Originally from Buffalo in the Caprivi, it was subsequently moved to Pomfret and then to Zeerust, finally being planted at the Voortrekker Monument on 10 October 2009.
The photograph above was taken at the unveiling of The South African Defence Force Wall of Remembrance at the Voortrekker Monument on 25 October 2009.
The Tree of Honour holds the names of members of 32 Battalion who were killed in action 1976-1991, each emblazoned on a small brass plate.
When I last saw it the Tree of Honour in 2012 it had been moved from its original spot, to a different area close the Wall of Remembrance. It had also been trimmed and work had been done on it to preserve if for future generations.
The Tree may be found at Google Earth co-ordinates -25.775545°, 28.174480°
I do not know the history of this memorial or of 31/201 Battalion, I encountered it for the first time while attending a memorial service at the Voortrekker Monument. These images I took on 29 May 2011.
When I saw it some of the brass plaques were barely legible (overzealous polishing?) but the Battalion Roll of Honour is available at the 31/201 Bn website. The Needle was due to be unveiled at a ceremony on the 18th September 2011.
Information Plate
Google Earth co-ordinates for the memorial are roughly -25.775656° 28.174189°
When 61 Mechanised Battalion Group was disbanded in November 2005, amongst its regalia was the Memorial Needle where the unit remembered those who had died in battle. This memorial had been with the unit since Omuthiya, where it had been originally erected in 1984. When the unit re-located it was moved to Walvis Bay for storage. During 1992 it was moved once again to the Army Battle School at Lohathla and re-erected. With the disbanding of the unit the memorial was left without a home until the formation of the 61 Mechanised Battalion Group Veterans Association. High on the list of priorities was moving the regalia of the unit to somewhere safe, the most logical place being the South African National Museum of Military History in Saxonwold, Johannesburg.
