South African Army corps and branches
(Learn how and when to remove this message) The South African Army is divided into functional branches, known as corps. Most consist of units, but some, such as the SA Staff Corps, consist only of personnel who are assigned to headquarters and units. The following is a list of corps established since 1912.
The SA Defence Act Amendment Act, No. 22 of 1922 re-organised the Permanent Force. From 1 February 1923 the Permanent Force consisted of:
- the SA Staff Corps,
- SA Instructional Corps,
- SA Naval Service,
- SA Field Artillery,
- 1st Regiment, SAMR
- SA Permanent Garrison Artillery,
- South African Engineer Corps,
- South African Air Force,
- SA Service Corps,
- SA Medical Corps,
- SA Ordnance Corps,
- SA Veterinary Corps
- SA Administrative, Pay and Clerical Corps.[1][2]
Currently active corps
Staff
- SA Staff Corps (SAStC) (formed 1923)
Artillery
- South African Artillery (SAA) (formed 1934)
- SA Anti-Aircraft (formed 1984)
Infantry
Armour
Engineers
Signals
Administration and Logistics
- Personnel Services Corps (formed 1975)
- Ordnance Services Corps (formed 1975)
- Technical Services Corps (formed 1939)
- SA Caterers Corps (formed 1969)
- SA Ammunition Corps (formed 1973)
- Corps of Professional Officers (formed 1975
- Finance Services Corps (formed 1979)
Military Police
- SA Corps of Military Police (formed 1938)
Intelligence
- SA Army Intelligence Corps (formed 1977)
Current & Defunct corps
Staff
Staff
- Permanent Force Staff (1912–23)
- SA Staff Corps (SAStC) (formed 1923)
- SA Instructional Corps (1923–54) – incorporated into SA Infantry Corps
Combat Services
Artillery
- Field Artillery Branch (Citizen Force) (1913–34) – incorporated into SAA
- SA Field Artillery (1915–19)
- SA Heavy Artillery (1915–19)
- SA Field Artillery (1923–34) - incorporated into SA Artillery
- SA Permanent Garrison Artillery (1921–34) – incorporated into SAA
- SA Garrison Artillery (1913–34) – incorporated into SAA
- South African Artillery (SAA) (formed 1934)
- SA Anti-Aircraft (formed 1984)
Mounted Rifles
- SA Mounted Rifles (1913–26)
- Mounted Rifles Branch (Citizen Force) (1913–35) – incorporated into infantry
Dismounted Rifles
- Dismounted Rifles Branch (Citizen Force) (1913–29)
Infantry
- Infantry Branch (Citizen Force) (1913–43) – incorporated into SA Armoured Corps
- SA Infantry Corps (established 1954)
Armour
Combat Support
Engineers
Signals
- Communication Branch (Citizen Force) (1913–23)
- SA Field Post and Telegraph Corps (1914–19)
- South African Corps of Signals (formed 1923)[4][a]
- South African Army Signal Formation[4][b]
- SA Military Pigeon Service (c. 1939–1945)
Supporting Services
Administration and Logistics
- SA Service Corps (1913–39) – incorporated into 'Q' Services Corps[6]
- SA Ordnance Corps (1923–39) – incorporated into 'Q' Services Corps[6]
- SA Corps of Mechanics (1939-39) - incorporated into 'Q' Services Corps
- 'Q' Services Corps (1939–49) – later Administrative Services Corps[7]
- Administrative Services Corps (1949–1975)[7]
- Army Postal Service (1940–45)
- Personnel Services Corps (formed 1975)
- Ordnance Services Corps (formed 1975)[c]
- Technical Services Corps (formed 1939)
- SA Caterers Corps (formed 1969)
- SA Ammunition Corps (formed 1973)
- Corps of Professional Officers (formed 1975)
Medical
- SA Medical Corps (1913–70) – incorporated into SA Medical Service
- SA Veterinary Corps (1913–46) – incorporated into SAMC
- SA Military Nursing Service (1914–70)
- SA Military Nursing Corps (1970–72) – incorporated into SAMS
Financial
- SA Administrative, Pay & Clerical Corps (1923–39) – incorporated into QSC
- SA Pay Corps (1940–45)
- Finance Services Corps (1972–75)
- Finance Services Corps (formed 1979)
Military Police
- SA Corps of Military Police (formed 1938)
Intelligence
- SA Intelligence Corps (1940–45)
- SA Army Intelligence Corps (formed 1977)
Chaplains
- SA Corps of Chaplains (1946–68) – incorporated into SA Chaplains Service
Science
- SA Corps of Scientists (1947–72)
Women's Services
- Women's Auxiliary Army Service (1940–47)
- Women's Auxiliary Military Police Corps (1942–46)
- Women's Defence Corps (1947–71)
- Civil Defence Corps (1971–77)
- SA Army Women's Corps (1977–98)
Special Services
- Special Service Corps (established 1964)
Music
- SA Corps of Bandsmen (established 1969)
"Non-European" Services
- South African Native Labour Corps (1915–19)
- Cape Corps (1940–50)
- Indian Service Corps (1940–42)
- Native Military Corps (1940–50)
- SA Cape Corps (1963-90s)
- SA Supporting Services Corps (1974-90s)
- SA Indian Corps (1975-90s)
Commandos
- Defence Rifle Associations (1913–49)
- Rifle Commandos (1949–58)
- Commandos (1958–2007)
See also
Notes
- ^ In 1940, the Signals Branch of the South African Army College moved from the College to Potchefstroom where it became the Signals Training Centre, this name being changed to School of Signals in 1944. The School of Signals again became a branch of the College in 1946 and, in January 1947, it was once more moved to Potchefstroom where it became a branch of the School of Artillery and Armour.[5]
- ^ In the late 1990s, the SA Department of Defence decided to group various environments together, elements, which it felt belonged together such as the environments of telecommunication, information technology (IT), registries, documentation services, libraries and electronic warfare, in other words, all forms of communication. This led to the establishment of the joint-service Command and Management Information Systems Division (CMIS Division) on 1 April 1999, its task being to deliver communications and info systems for the entire SANDF. The Corps of Signals left the command of the South African Army and was totally incorporated (personnel and all equipment) into the CMIS Division. On 28 March 2008, certain elements of CMIS Division migrated back to the various services. The South African Corps of Signals returned to the command of the South African Army as from 1 April 2008, to be known as the South African Army Signal Formation.
- ^ The role of the Ordnance Services Corps “is the effective acquisition, receipt, storing, safekeeping, preservation, maintenance, accounting, distribution and disposal of clothing, accommodation, ammunition, vehicles, fuel and spares within the Army. The OSC also delivers specialised services to the Army, which includes computer services, Air Supply and Nature Conservation."[8]
References
- ^ Lillie, A.C. (1982). "THE ORIGIN AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN ARMY". South African Journal of Military Studies. 12 (2).
- ^ Orpen, Neil D. Appendix 1:THE UNION DEFENCE FORCE BEFORE 1933. HyperWar. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
- ^ van der Waag, Ian (December 2012). "The origin and establishment of the South African Engineer Corps (SAEC), 1918-1939". Journal for Contemporary History: Military History 1912-2012. 37 (2): 1–31. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
- ^ a b Volker, Walter (2010). Signal Units of the South African Corps of Signals and Related Signal Services. Pretoria: Veritas Books. ISBN 978-0-620-45345-5..
- ^ Neville Gomm, The South African Army College, Military History Journal - Vol 2 No 3, cited in Leon Engelbrecht, A guide to the SANDF - unpublished manuscript, 2007, Johannesburg (http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_remository&Itemid=138&func=select&id=4), p.65
- ^ a b "South African Ordnance Corps". Standard Encyclopedia of Southern Africa. Vol. 1. Human Sciences Research Council. 1977. p. 23. ISBN 0-624-00849-5.
- ^ a b "Administrative Service Corps". Standard Encyclopedia of Southern Africa. Vol. 1. Human Sciences Research Council. 1977. p. 23. ISBN 0-624-00849-5.
- ^ Engelbrecht, Leon (2006). A guide to the SANDF - unpublished manuscript. Johannesburg.
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South African Army Units
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Training | |
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Parachute Infantry | |
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Air Assault Infantry | |
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Seaborne Infantry | |
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Light Infantry | |
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Mechanised Infantry | |
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Motorised Infantry | |
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Training | - School of Artillery (South Africa)
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Regular | |
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Reserve | |
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Training | - School of Air Defence Artillery (South Africa)
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Regular | |
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Reserve | |
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- Army Support Bases (Eastern Cape, Johannesburg, Kimberley, KZN, Limpopo, Potcheftstroom, Western Cape, Mpumalanga)
- Mobilisation Centre
- Main Ordnance Depot
- National Ceremonial Guard
- Logistical Support Unit
- General Andrew Masondo Maintenance Unit
- Madiba Bay Maintenance Unit
- 15 Maint Unit
- Other Maintenance Units
- Doman Field Workshop
- General Sipho Binda Field Workshop
- Sabelo Phama Field Workshop
- Chris Hani Field Workshop
- Sekhukhune Field Workshop
- Ngungunyane Field Workshop
- Other Field Workshops
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Regular | - 1 Signal Regt
- 2 Signal Regt
- 3 Signal Regt
- 4 Signal Regt
- 5 Signal Regt
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Reserve | 6 Signal Regt - Gauteng Reserve Signal Unit
11 Field Postal Unit - Western Cape Signal Unit
- Kwa-Zulu Natal Signal Unit
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Commands | |
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Corps | |
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Divisions | |
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Brigades | - 16 Brigade (see 81 Armoured Brigade)
- 17 Brigade (see 71 Motorised Brigade )
- 18 Brigade (see 72 Motorised Brigade)
- 19 Brigade (see 82 Mechanised Brigade)
- 20 Brigade
- 60 Brigade (Battlegroups HQ Lohatla)
- 71 Motorised Brigade SADF era
- 72 Motorised Brigade SADF era
- 73 Motorised Brigade SADF era
- 74 Brigade SADF and SANDF era (see 8th Armoured Division)
- 75 Brigade SADF and SANDF era (see 9th Division)
- 81 Armoured Brigade SADF era
- 82 Mechanised Brigade SADF era
- 83 Brigade (planned but never existed)
- 84 Motorised Brigade SADF era
- 10 Artillery Brigade SADF era
- Other brigades
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Battlegroups | |
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UDF and SADF Regiments and Battalions | |
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Homeland Battalions | |
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Military Areas | Training Areas | - Boschhoek
- Grahamstown
- Hellsgate
- Mosita
- Pomfret
- Riemvasmaak
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UDF and SADF Commando System | |
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State Presidents Guard | |
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Mobilisation Units (Reception Depots) | |
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Bantustan Defence Forces (1977/1981–1994) |
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Bophuthatswana Defence Force 1977–1994 | - 1 BDF Infantry Battalion
- 2 BDF Infantry Battalion
- BDF Parachute Battalion
- BDF Military School
- BDF Special Forces
- 1 BDF Military Area
- 2 BDF Military Area
- 3 BDF Military Area
- BDF Signals Unit
- BDF Bafokeng base
- BDF Mankwe base
- BDF Odi base
- BDF Thaba'Nchu base
- BDF Taung base
- BDF Air Wing
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Venda Defence Force 1979–1994 | - VDF Headquarters Sibasa
- 1 VDF Battalion Manenu
- 2 VDF Battalion Maunavhathu
- VDF Vuwani Military Base
- VDF Signals Unit
- VDF Air Wing
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Ciskei Defence Force 1981–1994 | - 1 CDF Battalion
- CDF Special Forces
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Transkei Defence Force 1981–1994 | - 1 TDF Battalion
- TDF Special Forces
- TDF Mounted Battalion
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- Regular Infantry Battalions
- 31/201 Battalion
- 33/701 Battalion
- 34/202 Battalion
- 35/101 Battalion
- 301 Battalion
- 36/203 Battalion
- 37/102 Battalion
- SWATF Brigade
- 91 Reaction Force Brigade
- 41/911 Battalion/Regiment Windhoek
- 912 Battalion/Regiment Erongo
- 913 Battalion/Regiment Namutoni
- 91 Armoured Car Regiment
- 91 Composite Field Regiment
- 91 Engineers Squadron
- 91 Field Ambulance
- 91 Mobilisation Centre
- 91 Technical Workshop
- 91 Maintenance Workshop
- Support Structures
- Logistics Brigade
- SWA Mil School
- SWA Military Academy
- Special Forces
- 1 SWA Specialist Unit
- 2 SWA Specialist Unit
- 1 SWA Parachute Battalion
- Air Component
- 1 SWA Commando Squadron
- Alte Feste Commando (SWATF)
- Aranos Commando (SWATF)
- Auob Commando (SWATF)
- Bo-Nossob Commando (SWATF)
- Etosha Commando (SWATF)
- Gobabis Commando (SWATF)
- Grootfontein Commando (SWATF)
- Hochi Commando (SWATF)
- Karasburg Commando (SWATF)
- Keetmanshoop Commando (SWATF)
- Maltahohe Commando (SWATF)
- Mariental Commando (SWATF)
- Okanhanja Commando (SWATF)
- Omaruru Commando (SWATF)
- Oranjemund Commando (SWATF)
- Otjiwarongo Commando (SWATF)
- Outjo Commando (SWATF)
- Rehoboth Commando (SWATF)
- Swakopmund Commando (SWATF)
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Union Defence Force 1912–1957 |
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Brigades | - 1st Reserve
- 4th Field
- 7th Motorised
- 1st Armoured
- Field Artillery
- Coast Artillery
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Citizens Batteries | - 1st Citizen Battery
- 2nd Citizen Battery
- 3rd Citizen Battery
- 4th Citizen Battery
- 5th Citizen Battery
- 6th Citizen Battery
- 7th Citizen Battery
- 8th and 9th Citizen Batteries
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Military Districts | - 1st (Cape Town)
- 2nd (Port Elizabeth)
- 3rd (East London)
- 4th (Pietermaritzburg)
- 5th (Durban)
- 6th (Standerton)
- 7th (Potchefstroom)
- 8th (Johannesburg)
- 9th (Pretoria)
- 10th (Kroonstad)
- 11th (Bloemfontein)
- 12th (Prieska)
- 13th (De Aar)
- 14th (Worcester)
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World War I 1914–1918 |
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Europe Campaign 1914–1918 | |
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East Africa Campaign 1914–1915 | - 1st Infantry ACF
- 2nd Infantry ACF
- 5th Infantry ACF
- 9th Infantry ACF
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German South West Africa Campaign 1915 | |
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Volunteer Militias 1903–1909 |
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Non-Statutory Forces 1961–1994 |
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Colonial Armies 1885–1902 |
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