Regiment Christiaan Beyers
| Regiment Christiaan Beyers | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Country |
 South Africa |
| Allegiance | |
| Branch | |
| Type | Infantry Regiment |
| Size | One Battalion |
| Part of |
South African Infantry Corps Army Conventional Reserve |
| Garrison/HQ | Karee Base, Polokwane |
| Motto | Ons Diens (Our Service) |
| Battle honours |
|
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Lt Col Takalani Mphohoni |
| Insignia | |
| Company level Insignia |
 |
| SA Motorised Infantry beret bar circa 1992 |
 SA Motorised Infantry beret bar |
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Regiment Christiaan Beyers is an infantry regiment of the South African Army. As a reserve unit, it has a status roughly equivalent to that of a British Army Reserve or United States Army National Guard unit. The Regiment was named after General Christian Frederick Beyers, a Boer general during the Second Boer War.
History
The regiment formed in 1939 as a second battalion of Regiment Botha.[1] Regiment Botha was formed a few years earlier in 1934. Known as Second Botha Regiment or the Second Bothas, it underwent a number of name changes during WWII.[1] In 1942 it was called Regiment Botha and in 1943 it was joined to Regiment President Steyn.[1] By 1946 it was called 59 Reserve Motor Service Company. In 1947 its name became 2 Regiment Botha.[1] Finally in 1951 it became Regiment Christiaan Beyers.[1]
During the Second World War, the regiment was part of the 5th South African Brigade and took part in the East African campaign and then later in the western deserts of Egypt and Libya.[1] During the South African Border War, 1966-1989, this citizen force regiment was regularly deployed for duties in the republic as well as SWA.[1] After 1989, the unit has taken part in peacekeeping duties in Southern Sudan and posted to duties on the Swaziland border.[1]
On the 29 November 2013, the regiment received the freedom of the city Polokwane. Regiment paraded through the city before having the scroll presented by the Mayor Freddy Greaver to the officer in command Lt Colonel Takalani Mphohoni. [2][3]
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.
Unit colours
The unit has three sets of colours:[1]
- the first is preserved by the MOTH in Pietersburg,
- second unit colours were presented by General Rudolph Hiemstra in 1970,
- a third national colour was presented by General Kat Liebenberg in 1989.
Battle honours
- East Africa
- Sidi Rezegh
- Gazala
- Battle of Alamein
- El Alamein Defence
- Western Desert
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Regiment Christiann Beyers" (PDF). SANDF Reserve Force Home. Retrieved 24 December 2013.
- ↑ "Freedom of City for Regiment Christian Beyers". Polokwane Observer. Retrieved 24 December 2013.
- ↑ "Regiment gets Freedom of the City". Polokwane Observer. Retrieved 24 December 2013.
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