The South African Defense Forces-i.e., Army, Navy and A Force-operate under the restriction of highly limited manpower base. (By way of comparison, the active service total of all the forces is 103,000, while the active service total of the South Africa Police numbers 55,000.) The force consists of a Permanent Force of 39,000 between the three services, which is fleshed out by mandatory call-up of a total of 32,000 white males each year with National Military Service (NMS). The length of NMS is set at two years, so that a total 64,000 conscripts are in service at any one time. The majority of those called up for NMS, some 58,000 in all, are assigned to the Army. Those who finish their two years active service and who do not wish to enlist in the Permanent Force are then placed in the Citizen Force (CF), South Africa's equivalent of the Army Reserve/National Guard. They serve an additional 12 years assigned to a unit of the CF, and must attend 30 days of training each year, as well as a maximum of 90 days active service every two years. CF units are usually called up every other year to attend training camps. After their service is over, members may elect to stay in their CF unit until they are 55, or serve an additional five years in the CF Reserve, and then be transferred to service with a local commando (Home Defense Unit) requiring 12 days training per year. In all, the CF numbers some 380,000 men, backed up by 150,000 CF Reservists. As a sidelight, women and blacks may volunteer for service, but are not subject to NMS. Of the current 19,900 Permanent Force members of the South African Army, 12,000 are white males, 5400 are black males, and 2500 are female. Considering the numbers quoted above, it is interesting to see how the actual size of the Army breaks down. FULL TIME FORCES: Permanent Force plus NMS 44th Airborne Brigade (PF) 1st Parachute Battalion (PF) State President Guard Battalion (NMS) 32nd Light Infantry Battalion (PF) 4 Recce Companies (PF) Training/Combat Units (NMS) 9 Infantry Battalions: 8 White, 1 Black 2 Armored Regiments 2 Artillery Regiments 1 Engineer Regiment 1 Air Defence Artillery Regiment CITIZEN FORCE: Permanent Force cadre plus CF member 1 Recce Company 44th Airborne Brigade 1st Parachute AT Company 2nd Parachute Battalion 3rd Parachute Battalion 1st Parachute Artillery Battalion [120mm Mortars] 1 Corps Headquarters 2 Divisions, each with: 1 Armored Brigade 2 Armored Regiments 2 Mechanized Infantry Battalions 2 Mechanized Infantry Brigades 3 Mechanized Infantry Battalions 1 Armored Reconnaissance Regiment 1 Artillery Regiment 1 Engineer Regiment 1 Air Defence Artillery Regiment Corps Troops 1 Motorized Infantry Brigade of 3 Infantry Battalions 3 Artillery Regiments Unassigned 16 Infantry Battalions 2 Armored Reconnaissance Regiments 2 Artillery Regiments 3 Engineer Regiments 2 Air Defence Artillery Regiments Notes 1. During the first part of the 1980s, one division was officially armored and one was officially infantry. The armored division had two brigades with three tank battalions and five mechanized battalions in APCs. The infantry division had three brigades, with each brigade having an armored car regiment and three infantry battalions. The smallness in size of the Full Time Forces is due in no small part to the fact that for the first year of their NMS, most recruits will be attending schools, and courses and will not yet have been assigned to their units. One important point to remember about the SADF was the existence of the UN-sponsored arms boycott against that country. Cut off from most of the arms dealers of the world, South Africa found herself using a mixture of WWII equipment, and home-built modern items, including one of the worlds first IFVs, the Ratel. The paper strength of a mechanized infantry battalion in terms of CA by the mid- 1980s would be as follows: MECHANIZED INFANTRY BATTALION, 1980s Experienced; Morale: 9 Battalion Headquarters, with: 1 command Ratel IFV 1 TOC Ratel Command 1 engineer stand 1 support stand 2 Buffel APCs 1 medium truck 3 Infantry Companies, each with: 1 command stand 3 infantry stands 3 Ratel IFVs 1 Support Company, with: 1 command Ratel 2 81mm mortar stands (ds) 2 Ratel 90 FSVs 3 medium trucks 1 Antitank Company, with: 2 Ratel 90S 2 jeeps with ENTAC Notes 1. The standard SAM was the SA-7, which was issued as needed for combat operations with two teams per battalion. 2. In 1988/9, two Ratel ZT-3 AT vehicles were used in the antitank company in place of the Ratel 90 and jeeps with ENTAC. 3. In 1987/8, two Ratel 81mm mortar vehicles were to be used in place of the 81mm mortar stands and medium trucks in the support company. 4. The battalion was to be reinforced with the following: Tank Squadron, with: 1 command Olifant tank 3 Olifant tanks 5. The 4th Infantry Battalion using this organization, including the tank squadron, served in Operation Modular in late 1987. It was replaced in early 1988 when the time of its NMS personnel had expired by a CF battalion of the 82nd Mechanized Brigade, using the same organization. Modular Battalions As the SA Army took up positions along the Angola-SWA border, it created five "modular" battalions which took up permanent positions along the border. These battalions, numbered 51 to 55, had a cadre of PF members who were assigned on a two- to four-year tour of duty. The battalions were known as "modular" because their elements were assigned as needed from active service units from South Africa, and from units of the SWATF. (Those inducted into the South African Army under NMS had a 50% chance of spending some time of their last year in active service stationed in SWA.) The elements that came under command of a modular battalion were assigned a section of the border to hold, and were issued extra equipment to help them carry out this task. A typical modular battalion would have: "MODULAR" INFANTRY BATTALION Experienced; Morale: 9 Battalion Headquarters, with: 1 command stand 1 staff radio stand 2 support stands 1 infantry stand 1 engineer stand Assigned Equipment 2 sets weapons stands 2 sets 81mm mortar stand 2 Buffel APCs Armored Car Squadron, with: 1 command EL-90 1 recon EL-90 1 recon EL-60 Attached Specialist Stands Attached to the infantry companies as needed 1-2 recon cavalry stands 1-2 recon motorcycle stands 1-2 dog patrols 2-4 recon tracker patrols 3 Infantry Companies, each with: 1 command stand 1 support stand 5 infantry stands 1 command EL-60 Assigned Equipment 1 staff radio stand 2 sets weapons stands 2 sets 81mm mortar stand 2 Buffel APCs Notes 1. Weapons and mortar sets refer to fixed weapons emplaced at the company/battalion headquarters. One support/infantry stand can be assigned to man two sets of weapons. While doing so, they may not be used outside their fixed works. 2. The staff radio stands are fixed. They may not move nor man weapons. If forced to leave their position, they are considered destroyed. 3. Tracker stands function as recce stands with an additional +3 modifier, and they suffer no penalty for spotting while moving. Tracker stands were assigned as needed, and were often provided by the Bushman elements of the SWATF, as well as by local elements. 4. The recon motorcycle and cavalry stands, and dog patrols were trained by the1st SWATF Specialist Unit. During the 1980s, these units were assigned to the different modular battalions as needed, and did not operate as one command. Prior to 1980 they tended to work together with the 1st Parachute Battalion as a single reaction unit with two motorcycle and two cavalry companies, but that was felt to be a waste of resources. 5. The MAW is the Carl Gustav 84mm RR, however most companies did not carry it in the field. The companies of the modular battalions were set up so that their platoons could rotate through the tasks at their base, i. e.: road patrol, local security, base defense, etc. As each company serving with a modular battalion was raised from the same parent unit, and did not actually serve with the other companies of the battalion, their mixed nature did not present the problems one might expect from such ad hoc units. Mechanized Support For mechanized support and any "external" operations, the 61st Mechanized Infantry Battalion served in SWA with its own unique organization: 61st MECHANIZED INFANTRY BATTALION Veteran; Morale: 10 Battalion Headquarters, with: 1 command Ratel IFV 1 TOC Ratel IFV 1 engineer stand 2 support stands 2 Buffel APCs 2 medium truck 1 Ratel ARV Mortar Platoon, with: 2 Ratels with 81 mm mortars AT Company, with: 2 Ratel 90s 2 jeeps with ENTAC AA Troop, with: 2 Ystervark SP 20mms 2 Infantry Companies, each with: 1 command stand 3 infantry stands 3 Ratel IFVs Armored Car Squadron, with: 1 command EL-90 2 recon EL-90s Tank Squadron, with: 1 command Olifant tank 2 Olifant tanks Artillery Battery, with: 1 command stand 1 FO stand 2 gun crews 2 tractors 2 medium supply trucks with trailers 2 G-5 155m field guns or 2 120mm M-5 mortars Notes 1. As with the modular battalions, the 61st is made up of units assigned from parent formations from South Africa. 2. The artillery battery is equipped with both the G-5 155 field guns and the 120mm M-5 mortars. The weapon used in the field will be determined by the mission that the battery is instructed to carry out. 3. The Ratel ARV can not be used to recover the Olifant tanks. 4. The MAW is the Carl Gustav 84mm RR, however most companies did not carry it in the field. The standard SAM was the SA7, which was issued as needed for combat operations with two teams per battalion. 5. The 61st served under the command of the 82nd Mechanized Brigade in 1988. 6. In 1988-89, two Ratel ZT-3 AT vehicles were used in the antitank company in place of the Ratel 90 and jeeps with ENTAC Two additional battalion-sized units of the South African Army served in SWA. The first of these was a "one of a kind" unit, the 32nd Light Infantry Battalion, which was also the only Portuguesespeaking battalion in the South African Army. 32nd Light Infantry After the FNLA was driven out of Angola in 1976, elements of its forces were recruited to serve in the South African Army. Some members volunteered to provide for their families who had escaped with them, while others saw it as a chance to strike back at MPLA. Regardless of the reason, the 32nd Battalion started with a solid cadre of personnel and grew to respectable size. Its forte was operations in southern Angola, with small detachments either being placed by helicopter, or moving in on foot. Once they had located SWAPO (and the occasional unlucky FAPLA) units, they would guide the rest of the 32nd, or the 6 1 st in for the kill. The ranks of the 32nd were swelled by volunteers who were recruited on Angolan soil and who returned with the 32nd to SWA after the completion of a cross-border operation. 32nd LIGHT INFANTRY BATTALION Veteran; Morale: 10 Battalion Headquarters, with: 1 command stand 2 Buffel APCs 1 light staff radio truck 2 support stands 1 engineer stand 2 medium trucks Antitank Squadron, with: 1 command Ratel-90 2 Ratel- 90s 5 Infantry Companies, each with: 1 command stand 1 recon infantry stand 3 infantry stands 2 tracker patrols 4 Bufel/Casspir APCs Support Company, with: 1 command stand 2 81mm mortar stands (ds) 2 medium trucks 1 light truck with 106mm RR 1 medium truck with ZPU-1 14.5 AA Troop, with 2 Ystervark SP 20mms Notes 1. Tracker stands function as recon stands with an additional +3 modifier, and they suffer no penalty for spotting while moving. 2. No MAW was carried. The standard SAM was the SA-7, which was issued as needed for external operations with two teams per battalion. Parachute Battalions The last battalion-sized unit to serve were the parachute battalions. The 1st Parachute Battalion was the only full Permanent Force battalion in the 44th Parachute Brigade. However, the 2nd and 3rd Parachute Battalions (CF) were also used on occasion for external operations in Angola, or sent to SWA to serve as alert forces when the 1st Parachute Battalion was operating across the border. PARACHUTE BATTALION PF, Elite; Morale: 10 CF, Veteran; Morale: 10 Battalion Headquarters, with 1 command stand and 1 recon infantry stand 4 Infantry Companies, each with 1 command stand and 3 infantry stands 1 Support Company, with: 1 command stand 1 81mm mortar stand (ds) 1 engineer stand Notes 1. The standard SAM was the SA-7, which was issued as needed for external operations with 2 teams added to the support company. 2. In 1989 the 14th Parachute Battalion Group was formed by calling up elements of the 44th Parachute Brigades and attaching them to the Ist Parachute Battalion. Add to the above formation the following: (The 120mm mortars are considered as part of the battalion for purposes of calling fire.) Antitank Troop, with 2 jeeps with ENTAC Mortar Battery, with: 1 command stand 2 gun crew stands (ds) 2 120mm M-5 mortars 2 medium trucks South African Air Force While the above units made up the majority of the South African units sent to SWA, the role of the South African Air Force can not be neglected. The Air Force controlled all aviation assets in the SADF including helicopters. They provided recce, air cover on "externals" ground support, transport and casualty evacuation, and all other services requested by the troops on the group. Due to the international arms boycott, the South African Air Force lacked firstline aircraft and helicopters, but nevertheless managed to be very successful with what they had. On a number of operations they fought air-to-air actions against the MiG-21s of the FAPLA. Aircraft and crews were detached for service in SWA from existing squadrons, with CF units called up as needed. The squadrons and aircraft used in SWA are: Number Type Aircraft Type 1 Ground Attack/Day Fighter Mirage F1 AZ 2 Ground Attack/Day Fighter Mirage III CZ 3 All Weather Fighter Mirage F1 AZ 4 Ground Attack Impala II CF 5 Ground Attack Impala II CF 6 Ground Attack Impala II CF 7 Ground Attack Impala II CF 8 Ground Attack Impala II CF 11 Liaison Cessna 135 CF 12 Photo Recon/Bombing Canberra/Mirage III - 16 Helicopter Alouette III - 17 Helicopter Alouette III - 19 Helicopter Puma - 24 Naval Strike / Interdiction Buccaneer - 25 Transport C47 - 28 Transport C-130 C-160 - 30 Helicopter Puma - 31 Helicopter Alouette II / Puma - 40 Ground Attack Impala II CF 41 Battlefield Support Kudu CF 42 Battlefield Recce Bosbok - 44 Transport C47, DC-4 CF Total numbers of each type of aircraft expressed in terms of CA are: Mirage F1 AZ: 11 Mirage III CZ: 4 Mirage III Recce: 2 Impala II: 23 Cessna 135: 4 Canberra: 1 Buccaneer: 1 C-47: 5 DC-4: 1 C-130: 2 C-160: 2 Kudu: 6 Bosbok: 10 Alouette II: 10 Allouette III: 20 Puma: 15 In addition to providing air cover, the South African Air Force provided FACs as needed. Any multi-company operation would have an FAC and Landrover attached to the senior headquarters, as well as to any battalion headquarters of the SADF and SWATF forces involved. All FACs should be considered as Veteran, Morale: 10. South African Marine Corps One last note on South African forces serving in SWA: The South African Marine Corps was established in 1979 in order to provide security for naval facilities, as well as to increase the number of conscripts serving in the South African naval forces. It was organized as a standard infantry battalion, though without the armored vehicles. Part of its duties including small-craft patrolling and boat handling. As a result, each company was sent in turn for a one-year tour of duty along the Zambezi River to man a martine patrol. The company consisted of. Marine Company Experienced; Morale: 9 1 command stand 3 marine stands More Externals 1980-1989: SW Africa and Angola Introduction: 1915-1979 SADF: South African Defense Forces in South West Africa SWATF: South West Africa Territorial Forces Koevoet: Operation Crowbar SWAPO: South West Africa People's Organization FAPLA: People's Armed Forces for the Liberation of Angola Cuban Forces in Angola UNITA: National Union for the Total Liberation of Angola South Africa Specs: Combined Arms Charts Externals Mini Campaign Game Part I, II, III Part IV, V, VI, VII Appendix 1: South African Forces Appendix 2: Angolan Forces Appendix 3: Terrain Campaign Map Back to Table of Contents -- Command Post Quarterly #2 To Command Post Quarterly List of Issues To MagWeb Master Magazine List © Copyright 1993 by Greg Novak. This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com