Active 1977 Allegiance South Africa Type Light Infantry | Country Namibia, South Africa Branch South African Army, | |
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Part of South West African Territorial Force | ||
33 Battalion or the Eastern Caprivi Battalion, was a light infantry battalion that was part of the SWATF.
Contents
History
33 Battalion was established in 1977.
The main base was at Mpacha in Sector 70 or the Caprivi Strip. As part of Sector 70, 33 Battalion took part in operations into Zambia and from 1978 deployed companies into Kavango, Kaokaland and Owambo.
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, 33 Battalion was renamed 701 Battalion in 1980.
Attachments
From 1983, a company of marines was attached.
33 Battalion also had an attached SWATF armoured car squadron and an artillery battery.
List of casualties
1985, Basson, J.L. Cav 1988, Thomas, J.A. Lt