4 South African Infantry Battalion
| 4 South African Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Active | 1 January 1962 |
| Country |
 South Africa |
| Branch |
 South African Army |
| Type | Motorised infantry |
| Garrison/HQ | Middelburg, Mpumalanga |
| Engagements | South African Border War |
| Insignia | |
| Company level Inisgnia |
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| SA Motorised Infantry beret bar circa 1992 |
 SA Motorised Infantry beret bar |
4 South African Infantry Battalion is a motorised infantry unit of the South African Army.
History
4 SAI was established on January 1, 1962 at Middelburg, South Africa.[1]
First troops began training in April 1962 and became an operational motorised unit in 1969.[1]
From motorised to mechanised Infantry
In 1982 it converted to a mechanised infantry battalion mainly consisting of Ratel-20 IFVs.
Operations in Border War
4 SAI took part in many external operations during the South African border war such as:
For these operations, 4 SAI became a detached unit supplying mechanised infantry to 62 Mechanised Battalion Group. A artillery battery of G5 howitzers, a Ratel-90 armoured car squadron and a [1] in some operations, an Oilfant tank squadron was also temporarily attached to the battalion.[1]
Operations in South Africa
4SAI also supported the signing of the Nkomati accord between South Africa and Mozambique in March 1984 and took part in Exercise Thunder Chariot in September of that year. The exercise was, at the time, billed as the largest mobilisation of South African forces since World War Two.
Reverting to motorised infantry
4 SAI reverted to a motorised infantry unit after 1994.
SANDF's Motorised Infantry
SANDF’s Motorised Infantry is transported mostly by Samil trucks, Mamba APC’s or other un-protected motor vehicles. Samil 20, 50 and 100 trucks transport soldiers, towing guns, and carrying equipment and supplies. Samil trucks are all-wheel drive, in order to have vehicles that function reliably in extremes of weather and terrain. Motorised Infantry have an advantage in mobility allowing them to move to critical sectors of the battlefield faster, allowing better response to enemy movements, as well as the ability to outmaneuver the enemy
Insignia
Previous Dress Insignia
| Standard Dress | ||||||
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Current Dress Insignia
| Standard Dress | ||
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References
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