Bethlehem Commando

Bethlehem 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.

Bethlehem Commando
Bethlehem Commando emblem
Country	South Africa
Allegiance	Orange Free State Republic Union of South Africa  Republic of South Africa  Republic of South Africa
Branch	South African Army  South African Army
Type	Infantry
Role	Light Infantry
Size	One Battalion
Part of	South African Infantry Corps Army Territorial Reserve, Group 25
Garrison/HQ	Bethlehem, Free State
Motto(s)	Suid Afrika Eerste (South Africa First)

History

Origins

During the Anglo Boer War with the Free State Republic

This Commando was involved in the following:

• The battle of Rietfontein^[1] took place on 24 October 1899 between six commandos of the Free State Army commanded by General A Piet Cronje and a British Flying Column dispatched from Ladysmith under the command of Sir George White.

The Free State forces consisted of the following commandos:

• • Harrismith Commando
  • Kroonstad Commando
  • Winburg Commando
  • Bethlehem Commando
  • Vrede Commando and
  • Heilbron Commando.

• The battle of Magersfontein that took place on 11 December 1899.

With the UDF

By 1902 all Commando remnants were under British military control and disarmed.

By 1912, however previous Commando members could join shooting associations.

By 1940, such commandos were under control of the National Reserve of Volunteers.

These commandos were formally reactivated by 1948.

UDF era National Reserve of Volunteers shoulder tab

With the SADF

During this era, the unit was mostly used for border control, area force protection and stock theft control.

The unit resorted under the command of the SADF's Group 25.

With the SANDF

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.^[2][3] The Commando system was phased out between 2003 and 2008 "because of the role it played in the apartheid era", according to the Minister of Safety and Security Charles Nqakula.^[4]

Unit Insignia

SADF era Bethlehem Commando insignia

Leadership

Leadership

From	Honorary Colonels	To
From	Commanding Officer	To
1900	Commandant Michael Prinsloo	nd
From	Regimental Sergeant Major	To