63 Mechanised Battalion Group

63 Mechanised Battalion Group
SADF 63 Mechanised Battalion unit emblem
Active	1989 – 1994
Country	South Africa
Allegiance	South Africa
Branch	South African Army
Type	Mechanised Battle Group
Part of	South African Infantry Corps
Garrison/HQ	Upington, Eenhana, Omithiya, Oshivello, Lohatla Army Battle School
Nickname(s)	63 Mech, 63 Meg (Afrikaans)
Motto(s)	Semper Splendidior
Equipment	Ratel 20,60,81,90 Rooikat G5 howitzer Samil
Engagements	South African Border War
Battle honours	Operation Merlyn, Operation Agree
Disbanded	1994
Commanders
Notable commanders	Comdt G.J. Oberholzer, Cmdt Izan Leibrand, Col Kobus van den Bergh, Brig Gen Koos Liebenberg

63 Mechanised Battalion Group was a unit of the South African Infantry Corps; although it was classed as mechanized infantry, it was a combined arms force consisting of infantry, armour and artillery.

Insignia

A chain border on a black shield, three lightning bolts, two swords and the number 63.

History

63 Mechanised Battalion Group was formed in 1988 mainly from the operational battalion of 8 South African Infantry Battalion and Ratel 90 Squadrons from 1 Special Service Battalion. 63 Mech Group was part of 60 Brigade, based at Lohatla Army Battle School.

Together with 61 Mech and 62 Mech, these units encompassed battlegroup principles.

Sector 10 South West Africa

63 Mech Group was seconded to the command of Sector 10 in northern South West Africa in 1989 for its short operational life of about 12 months.

A combined Brigade level exercise with 61 Mech and 62 Mech occurred in the Oshivello area in January 1989.

Operation Merlyn

63 Mech took part in one strategic operation, repulsing a major incursion of SWAPO into Namibia, in April 1989:

• On Saturday 1 April, reports were received of Koevoet, a unit of the South West African Police SWAPOL, taking losses from multiple contacts with SWAPO insurgents.

• On Sunday 2 April, 63 Mech now with Koevoet, engaged SWAPO insurgents near Oshikango. 1 Casspir was hit with AK and RPG fire.

• On Monday 3 April, tracking of the insurgents began. Allouette gunship helicopters assisted in visuals. Some 32 SWAPO were killed or captured.

• From Tuesday 4 April, tracking continued around Oshikango.

• On Wednesday 5 April, the unit divided into 3 search groups.

• By Thursday 6 April, the area around Onamagula was being searched, when a column drove into a ambush. A Ratel was lost. About 16 SWAPO were killed in the ensuing battle.^[1][2][3]

Operation Agree

63 Mech Group withdrew with the majority of SADF Forces from Namibia on 31 Nov 1989.

63 Mech commemorative medal for South West Africa operations

Lohatla Army Battle School

From 1990 to 1994, the unit was deployed internally in South Africa and remained involved in annual integrated conventional warfare training at Lohatla Army Battle School.

63 Mech Blits 2 exercise certificate, Lohatla Army Battle School 1993

63 Mech elements preparing for joint training with 61 Mech Lohatla Army Battle School 1993, 8SAI Ratel 20s, 60s can be seen with Rooikats from 61 Mech.

Battlegroup Organisation

63 Mech Group's structure was designed to be modified as various tasks required.

Deployment in South West Africa

For the specific engagements in Operation Merlyn and Agree however, the unit included:

• Two mechanised infantry companies (A and B Companies) from 8 SAI
• One tank squadron (C Squadron) from the School of Armour
• One G5 battery (S Battery) from 4 Artillery Regiment
• One armoured car squadron (E Squadron) from 1 SSB, Bloemfontein
• One air defence troop (F Squadron) from 6th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment or 10th Anti-Aircraft Regiment
• One engineer troop
• One Support Company which included mortar, antitank and assault pioneer platoons

Exercises at Lohatla Army Battle School

By 1991, Rooikat armoured cars were added to exercises at Lohatla Army Battle School.

63 Mech echelon layout

63 Mech field cap issued to members joining to aid in the new units cohesion

Disbandment

By 1994, the unit was disbanded. Its infantry elements were returned to 8 SAI at Upington, its armour elements returned to 1 SSB in Bloemfontein, while its artillery was returned to that respective Corps. The battlegroup principles however continue to be utilised in the SANDF's training program.

63 Mech honorary discharge certificate

References

1. "Gunner files". Fairviewtzaneen.co.za. Retrieved 2016-01-05.
2. "Page 1 - index". Fairviewtzaneen.co.za. Retrieved 2016-01-05.
3. "War In Angola General Forums". Warinangola.com. Retrieved 2016-01-05.

Other sources

• Scholtz, L. The SADF in the Border War 1966-1989, Cape Town Tafelberg. ISBN 978-0-624-05410-8. 2013.
• Oosthuizen, J.J. The South African Defence Force and Operation Hooper, south east Angola, December 1987 to March 1988, North West University.
• Davies, R.M. South African Forces in the Border War (Angola and South West Africa) 1980 to 1989.
• De Vries, R. The influence of the Ratel Infantry Fighting Vehicle on Mobile Warfare in Southern Africa, Scientia Militaria, South African Journal of Military Studies, Vol 2, 2015. pp 174–186.
• Serfontein C (Brig); drafted in July 1990, Namibie Operasie Merlyn. Die laaste geveg en finale ontrekking van die SA Weermag aan Namibie
• 52 CHARLIE A Ratel 90 Gunner’s Story Recollections of 1989 as recalled in 2010 Jacques Myburgh (86270568BG Trooper J. Myburgh, 1 SSB and 63 Mech Bn Gp) 2014
• Peter Stiff, Nine Days of War, Namibia - before, during and after, Lemur Books, RSA, 1989, Hardback, 316 pp, 42 b/w plates.
• https://www.facebook.com/groups/966667223418978/968239253261775/