4 Reconnaissance Commando (South Africa)

4 Reconnaissance Commando
Active17 July 1978
Disbanded31 July 1993
CountrySouth Africa
Allegiance Republic of South Africa
Branch South African Army
TypeSpecial forces
RoleReconnaissance
Part ofSouth African Defence Force
Garrison/HQLangebaan, Western Cape
Motto(s)Iron Fist From The Sea

The 4 Reconnaissance Commando is a defunct South African Special Forces unit of the South African Defence Force that was formed in July 1978, specialising in amphibious operations.

History

In 1976, during Operation Savannah, a need was identified for more operational special forces units and in particular units with more specialised skills.[1]: Ch2  In March 1976, Major Malcolm Kinghorn formed a sub-unit specialising in amphibious operations for use in Angola during Operation Savannah.[1]: Ch2  It was formed at Salisbury Island, Durban and consisted of a headquarters unit of Kinghorn and a NCO and two units of six men each and was called Charlie (C) Group of 1 Reconnaissance Commando.[1]: Ch2 

On 1 May 1976, the Defence Minister approved the formation of 4 Reconnaissance Commando but it would take a further two years before it was formally established.[1]: Ch2  The unit was formed on the 17 July 1978 as 4 Reconnaissance Commando at Langebaan with Major Kinghorn as the first commanding officer and the first RSM was Warrant Officer “Chili” du Plessis.[1]: Ch2  It was initially made up of members of 1 Reconnaissance Commando.[2] On 1 January 1979, Major Kinghorn was given a temporary rank of Commandant. During the 1981 reorganisation, 4 Reconnaissance Commando was renamed 4 Reconnaissance Regiment (4RR).[2] The unit was said to be small with mainly white soldiers who operated in Angola and Mozambique[3]: Chp3 

Structure

In 1978, 4 Reconnaissance Commando was initially structured into three groups:[1]: Ch3 

  • Alpha Group – amphibious operations training,
  • Bravo Group – operational,
  • Charlie Group – diving,

but when 4 Reconnaissance Commando was renamed 4 Reconnaissance Regiment in 1981 it was structured as:

4.1 Commando – operational component with five teams:[1]: Ch3 

  • Diving Team – offensive operational attack divers
  • Boat Team – maintain and operate the teams boats and work with the naval vessels crews
  • Offensive Team – carried out the special forces tasks
  • Small Teams – carry out reconnaissance and lead the offensive teams to the targets
  • Reconnaissance Team – handle intelligence gathering operations in larger teams

4.2 Commando – training element later called Special Forces Amphibious and Urban School[1]: Ch3 

Re-organisation after 1992

The next reorganisation occurred in 1992 when the Special Forces HQ was disbanded and renamed the Directorate Reconnaissance Forces and 4 RR remained but 2RR, the citizen force unit, was disbanded.[2] In 1993, a further reorganisation occurred when the Directorate Reconnaissance Forces was renamed as the 45 Para Brigade and 4 Reconnaissance Commando was renamed the 453 Para Battalion.[2] The last change occurred in 1995, 45 Para Brigade became the Special Forces Brigade and subsequently 453 Para Battalion is now called 4 Special Forces Regiment.[2]

Commanding officers

Officers commanding were:[4]

  • 1978–1982: Cmdt. M. Kinghorn
  • 1982–1994: Col. J. Venter
  • 1994–n.d.: Col. K. Nel

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Söderlund, Arné; Steyn, Douw (2015). Iron Fist From The Sea: South Africa's Seaborne Raiders 1978-1988. Solihull, West Midlands: Helion and Company. ISBN 978-1909982284.
  2. ^ a b c d e "4 Reconnaissance Regiment / 4 Special Forces Regiment". South African Special Forces Association. Archived from the original on 14 March 2015. Retrieved 10 March 2015.
  3. ^ O'Brien, Kevin A. (2011). The South African Intelligence Services: From Apartheid to Democracy, 1948-2005 (eBook). Studies in Intelligence Series. Routledge. ISBN 978-0-203-84061-0.
  4. ^ "TRC Final Report". SABC. Archived from the original on 24 December 2014. Retrieved 10 March 2015.

Further reading

  • Steyn, Douw; Söderlund, Arné (2015). Iron Fist From The Sea: South Africa's Seaborne Raiders 1978-1988 (Kindle ed.). Solihull, West Midlands: Helion & Company. ISBN 978-1909982284.


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