Active May 1968 Branch South African Army Role Counter-insurgency | Country South Africa Type Special forces | |
Allegiance Republic of South Africa | ||
The Hunter Group was South Africa's first special forces unit and counter-insurgency elite formed in 1968, with members of the unit forming and training later special forces and other specialized units of the South African Army.
Contents
History
Hunter Group was formed in May 1968 by Commandant G. van Kerckhoven of the South African Irish Regiment who saw a need to expand the counter-insurgency skills of certain members in the regiment and which would be superior to the basic skills provided to the average national serviceman. He was aided by an ex-Rhodesian army weapons and unarmed combat expert named Grant-Grierson. Initially it drew members from the Irish regiment but as it reputation grew volunteers from other army units also joined. Members received 240 hours of training over weekends and at night over twelve months.
Up to 700 men passed through the group's training with members forming or training the first special forces unit and 32 Battalion By 1976 the group had disbanded and its remaining members placed in Citizen Force (Reserve) unit 2 Reconnaissance Commando.
Training
Training included activities such as close weapons use, first aid, vehicle driving, parachuting, guerilla warfare, stress and shock training, bushcraft and survival, demolitions and many other skills. Member of the group wore camouflaged uniforms which were not worn by any other South African unit with some in the style of airborne smocks with a silver scorpion insignia on a green background on their right sleeve.