Active 1976 Allegiance South Africa Type Motorised Infantry | Country Namibia, South Africa Branch South African Army, | |
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Part of South West African Territorial Force | ||
101 Battalion was a quick-reaction unit of the South West African Territorial Force.
Contents
History
The unit was formed in January 1976 as 1 Owambo Battalion, renamed to 35 Battalion in January 1978, 35 Battalion recruited exclusively among the Owambo. and were only given basic training, but this changed after 1978 when the training intensived with an emphasis on rural counterinsurgency operations.
Renaming
The South West Africa Territory Force, SWATF renumbered battalion numbers according to their geographical positioning on the border. The prefix 10 pertained to battalions operating to the west of the Kavango River, 20 to the Kavango or central region and 70 to the eastern region. Under this system, 35 Battalion was renamed 101 Battalion in 1980.
Tracking
Until 1980 101 battalion was used is small teams attached to SADF units as trackers and interpreters.
Light Infantry
By 1981 101 converted to a light infantry battalion.
By 1983 at least 2700 men had been recruited and trained, many converted SWAPO insurgents.
Structure
101 Battalion consisted of:
These Companies concentrated on external operations and pursuit of infiltrators. Another two reaction force companies was activated,and
Equipment
Each team in a company had:
Engagements
101 Battalions reaction force teams averaged about 200 contacts annually. By 1985 101 Battalion fought under its own command instead of being detached to external units.
Disbandment
101 Battalion was disbanded upon the independence of Namibia in 1990-91.