34 Battalion (SWATF)

34 Battalion/202 Battalion
Country  Namibia,  South Africa
Allegiance  South Africa
Branch  South African Army,
Type Light Infantry
Part of South West African Territorial Force
Garrison/HQ Rundu (17°57′55″S 19°43′56″E / 17.96528°S 19.73222°E / -17.96528; 19.73222Coordinates: 17°57′55″S 19°43′56″E / 17.96528°S 19.73222°E / -17.96528; 19.73222)
Nickname(s) Kavangoland Battalion
Disbanded 1990–91
Commanders
Last Commanding Officer Commandant Van Der Merwe
Last 2nd in Command Major Zeeman
Last RSM WO1 F.J.S. Sheepers
Insignia
Part of the South West African Territorial Force

34 Battalion was a light infantry battalion that was part of the SWATF.

History

34 Battalion was commonly known as the "Kavangoland Battalion". It was established in 1975 as 1 Kavango Battalion as a ceremonial guard of honour. It was then renamed 34 Battalion before finally being renamed 202 Battalion.

It consisted of an HQ, Support Company, 4 Line Companies (Buffel APC), Armoured Reconnaissance wing of 2 Platoons and 4 Eland 90s. Usually also had an attached SA Army Infantry Company.[1]

The main base was at Rundu, but there was an outside base at Mashari, approx 60 kilometres (37 mi) east of Rundu, where Charlie and Delta companies were routinely stationed. The Mashari base was in an old TB hospital. They were co-located with a BRUSH unit.

202 Battalion Beret showing the Beret Badge

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.

The battalion's role was primarily that of light infantry, with some mounted (berede) troops and a Romeo Mike team (Afrikaans Reaksie Mag).

Initially the unit was manned primarily with Kavango troops but later with a large number of turned SWAPO Cadres. The first Kavango instructors were trained in 1979. The first Kavango officer was commissioned in 1980 and the first group of sergeants were promoted that same year.

The unit had its first skirmish in 1979. Thereafter they took part in most of the major operations in the operational area. They were credited with completely suppressing all insurgency activities in the Kavango region by 1987.[2]

Choir

The unit's choir was formed in 1985. They won their section of the Roodepoort Eisteddford 1987.[2]

The choir's main exposure to the public occurred when they took art in the Kavango song festival. They won acclaim at the 1996 song festival at the University of Stellenbosch and were invited to perform for the State President at his Cape Town residence. They also had a combined tour with the Drakensberg Boys' Choir.[3] Lt Col Zeeman, who facilitated the DBCS tour, later went on to become the Chairman of the Board of DBCS Board of Governors.[3]

Roll of Honour

Commemorative Service and Official Opening of Memorial held at 202 Battalion 8 November 1987
  • 1977 Jones,A., Cpl [4]:36649
  • 1983 Kambathi,L.K., Rfn [4]:36658
  • 1983 Kamunoko,I.S., Cpl [4]:36659
  • 1980 Karupu,G., Rfn [4]:36650
  • 1981 Katanga,P., Rfn [4]:36651
  • 1982 Kudumo,L., Rfn [4]:36653
  • 1982 Kudumo,A.H., Rfn [4]:36655
  • 1983 Kufuna,R.R., Rfn [4]:36657
  • 1977 Makehe,M., Sktr [4]:36648
  • 1983 Matamu,M., Rfn [4]:36664
  • 1981 Mukoya,R., Rfn [4]:36652
  • 1983 Mukusho,B., Sgt [4]:36669
  • 1983 Mukwambi,T.K., Rfn [4]:36663
  • 1982 Murongo,G., Rfn [4]:36654
  • 1983 Mushambe,A., Rfn [4]:36661
  • 1982 Mushanambango,F., Rfn [4]:1019
  • 1983 Muyevu,J., Rfn [4]:36668
  • 1983 Muyota,V., Rfn [4]:36662
  • 1980 Nyundu,F., Rfn [4]:1826[lower-alpha 1]
  • 1983 Shikusho,F., Rfn [4]:36667
  • 1982 Shimbaranda,S., Rfn [4]:36656
  • 1983 Sikwaya,T., Rfn [4]:36660
  • 1983 Sindere,L., Rfn [4]:36666
  • 1983 Tobias,V., Rfn [4]:36665
  • 1983 Visser,J.E., 2Lt [4]:36670

Notes

  1. This person is marked on the Fort Klapperkop Memorial wall with an * as having died during operations or in combat.

References

  1. "SWATF Units". sadf.info. Retrieved 6 November 2014.
  2. 1 2 Dovey, John. "Unit Info: 34/202 Battalion". SA Roll of Honour. Just Done Productions Publishing. Retrieved 8 November 2014.
  3. 1 2 Ashley-Botha, Christian (2014). DRAKIE STORIES: Stories from the Drakensberg Boy's Choir School. Durban: Just Done Productions Publishing. ISBN 978-1-920702-07-6. Retrieved 8 November 2014.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Dovey, John. "SA Roll of Honour: 34/202 Battalion, SWATF". justdone.co.za. Just Done Productions Publishing. Retrieved 9 November 2014.


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