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Regiment North Natal

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Regiment North Natal
Regiment North Natal emblem
Active1950
Allegiance
Branch
SizeBattalion
Part of
Garrison/HQPaulPietersburg, Vryheid, Newcastle
Motto(s)Libertatem tenemus (Hold Freedom)
Battle honours
Commanders
First Officer CommandingCommandant Willie Stumph
Last Officer CommandingLt 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

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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

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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

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

Disbandment

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Regiment North Natal was disbanded in 1997.[2]

Battle honours

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Freedom of the City

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Freedom of Vryheid in 1961.

Leadership

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Regimental emblems

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Dress Insignia

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SADF era Regiment North Natal insignia

Roll of Honour

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References

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