101 Battalion (South Africa)

For the Libyan unit, see 101 Battalion (Libya). For other uses, see 101st Battalion (disambiguation).

101 Battalion (pronounced as one-o-one Battalion) was a quick-reaction unit of the South West African Territorial Force, composed of black and white commissioned and enlisted personnel.

35/101 Battalion
SWATF 101 Battalion emblem
Active	1976-1989
Disbanded	1989
Country	South West Africa, South Africa
Allegiance	South Africa
Branch	South African Army,
Type	Motorised Infantry
Part of	South West African Territorial Force
Garrison/HQ	Ondangwa, Etale, Rundu (17°57′55″S 19°43′56″E)
Equipment	Casspir, Buffalo, Kwêvoël and Bedford Trucks
Engagements	South African Border War Operation Reindeer (1979)(elements of) Operation Rekstok (1979) (elements of) Operation Sceptic (1980) (elements of) Operation Daisy (1981)(elements of) Operation Askari (1983/4)(elements of) Operation Afskeur (1983) Operation Zepplin (1985) Operation Egret (1985) Operation Cinema (1986) Operation Tremour (1986) Operation Pynappel (1987) Operation Moduler (1987) Operation Firewood (1987)
Commanders
Colonel of the Regiment	Commandant Welgemoed
Insignia
Part of the South West African Territorial Force
SWATF 101 Battalion beret badge
101 Battalion Beret showing Unit Badge and Infantry Bar

History

Origin

The unit was formed in January 1976 as 1 Owambo Battalion,^[1] renamed to 35 Battalion in January 1978,^[1] 35 Battalion recruited exclusively among the Owambo. and were only given basic training, but this changed after 1978 when the training intensified with an emphasis on rural counterinsurgency operations.

Renaming

The South West Africa Territory Force, SWATF^[2] renumbered battalion numbers according to their geographical positioning on the border. The prefix 10 pertained to battalions operating to the west of the Kavango River, 20 to the Kavango or central region and 70 to the eastern region. Under this system, 35 Battalion was renamed 101 Battalion in 1980.

SWATF Northern Sector Map

Tracking

Until 1980 101 battalion was used as small teams attached to SADF units as trackers and interpreters.

Light Infantry

By 1981 101 converted to a light infantry battalion.

By 1983 at least 2700 men had been recruited and trained, many converted SWAPO insurgents.

Introduction of the Romeo Mike Concept

A significant development in 101's operations occurred during 1982 with the adaption of Koevoet tactics to a military context. The Reaction Force concept or Romeo Mike developed into two Special Service Companies (901 and 903) in 1984 and a further two (902 and 904) by 1985.^[3] Their purpose was to relentlessly track and surround exhausted insurgents. Once a track was detected, elements of a team would dismount from a Casspir and follow the track at a run with the remainder of the team rested and following in the Casspir, and swapping over with the runners frequently, thus sustaining a fast pursuit of the insurgents. When contact was made, the full team with Casspir would charge in. The Romeo Mikes's other three Casspirs would be close of each other and would also react.

Structure

101 Battalion consisted of:

• a HQ,
• a support company,
• a light workshop,
• a training wing,
• Special service companies, translating Police tracking concepts to suit Army operations:
  • 901 and
  • 903 Special Service Companies.

These Companies concentrated on external operations and pursuit of infiltrators. Another two reaction force companies was activated, and

• a Reconnaissance Wing.

SWATF era 101 Battalion insignia

Equipment

Each team in a company had:

• 4 X Casspirs
• 1 X Kwêvoël 50
• 2 X Hispano Suiza 20mm cannons,
• 6 X 50 cal Browning machine guns
• 4 X Light machine guns and
• 4 X 60mm patrol mortars

Engagements

101 Battalions reaction force teams averaged about 200 contacts annually.^[4] By 1985 101 Battalion fought under its own command instead of being detached to external units.

101 Battalion was part of the Sector 10 response to the Cuban buildup and SWAPO incursions, known as the Merlyn Forces in 1989 South West Africa

Disbandment

101 Battalion was disbanded on 30 June 1989 upon the independence of Namibia in 1990-91.^[1]

101 Battalion's Colours and Standard were finally laid up in the unit church of 5 Reconnaissance Regiment on 10 April 1990.

Leadership

Leadership

From	Officer Commanding	To
1981	Cmdr W.H. Welgemoed	c. 1988
1988	Col L. Marais	c. 1988
1988	Col L. Kotze	c. 1989
From	Regimental Sergeant Major	To
c. 1985	WO1 C. Schutte	c. Nd

Notes

See also

• South African Border War