63 Mechanised Battalion Group was a

unit Unit may refer to: Arts and entertainment * UNIT, a fictional military organization in the science fiction television series ''Doctor Who'' * Unit of action, a discrete piece of action (or beat) in a theatrical presentation Music * ''Unit'' (alb ...

of the

South African Infantry Corps The South African Army Infantry Formation supervises all infantry within the South African Army. History Origins: Union Defence Force South African Infantry originated as the ''Infantry Branch'' of the Union Defence Forces in 1913. In 1915, ...

; although it was classed as

mechanized infantry Mechanized infantry are infantry units equipped with armored personnel carriers (APCs) or infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) for transport and combat (see also mechanized force). As defined by the United States Army, mechanized infantry is di ...

, it was a combined arms force consisting of infantry, armour and artillery. Together with

61 Mechanised Battalion Group 61 Mechanised Battalion Group was a unit of the South African Infantry Corps; although it was classed as mechanized infantry, it was a combined arms force consisting of infantry, armour and artillery. History Combat Group Juliet General Consta ...

and

62 Mechanised Battalion Group 62 Mechanised Infantry Battalion Group was a unit of the South African Army (SADF); although it was classed as mechanized infantry, it was a combined arms force consisting of a Mechanised Infantry Battalion forming the core of the group, Main Bat ...

, these units made up 60 Brigade encompassing battlegroup principles.

Insignia

A chain border on a black shield, three lightning bolts, two swords and the number 63.

History

Origins

63 Mechanised Battalion Group was part of 60 Brigade, based at Lohatla Army Battle School and was formed in 1988 mainly from the operational battalion of

8 South African Infantry Battalion 8 South African Infantry Battalion is a mechanized infantry unit of the South African Army. The battalion is equipped with Ratel Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFV) used for fast transport and combat mobility across rough ground. Support weapons f ...

and Ratel 90 Squadrons from

1 Special Service Battalion 1 Special Service Battalion (usually abbreviated to ) is an armoured regiment of the South African Army and only one of two such in its regular force. The Regiment is based at Tempe near Bloemfontein. It was previously known in Afrikaans as () ...

. Support companies of anti-tank, assault pioneers (sapper), mortars and their logistical team were also transferred from 1 South African Infantry Battalion in October 1988 to

for integration during a brigade level exercise at Lohatla Army Battle School called Exercise Sweepslag prior to the Group being sent north to South West Africa. The only commander was "Blok " Liebenberg, a veteran of 61 Mech.

Sector 10 South West Africa

63 Mech was seconded to the command of Sector 10 in northern South West Africa in 1989 for its short operational life of about 12 months. A combined Brigade level exercise with 61 Mech and 62 Mech occurred in the Oshivello area in January 1989.

Operation Merlyn

63 Mech took part in one strategic operation, repulsing a major incursion of

SWAPO The South West Africa People's Organisation (, SWAPO; af, Suidwes-Afrikaanse Volks Organisasie, SWAVO; german: Südwestafrikanische Volksorganisation, SWAVO), officially known as the SWAPO Party of Namibia, is a political party and former ind ...

into Namibia, in April 1989: * On Saturday 1 April, reports were received of

Koevoet Koevoet (, meaning '' crowbar'', also known as Operation K or SWAPOL-COIN) was the counterinsurgency branch of the South West African Police (SWAPOL). Its formations included white South African police officers, usually seconded from the South ...

, a unit of the South West African Police

SWAPOL The South West African Police (SWAPOL) was the national police force of South West Africa (now Namibia), responsible for law enforcement and public safety in South West Africa when the territory was administered by South Africa. It was organised ...

, taking losses from multiple contacts with SWAPO insurgents. * On Sunday 2 April 63 Mech now with Koevoet, engaged SWAPO insurgents near Oshikango. 1 Casspir was hit with AK and RPG fire. * On Monday 3 April, tracking of the insurgents began. Allouette gunship helicopters assisted in visuals. Some 32 SWAPO were killed or captured. * From Tuesday 4 April, tracking continued around Oshikango. * On Wednesday 5 April, the unit divided into 3 search groups. * By Thursday 6 April, the area around Onamagula was being searched, when a column drove into an ambush. A Ratel was lost. About 16 SWAPO were killed in the ensuing battle. SADF Merlyn Forces emblem 1989 South West Africa

SADF Merlyn Forces emblem 1989 South West Africa

Operation Agree

63 Mech Group withdrew with the majority of SADF Forces from Namibia on 31 November 1989. 63 Mech commenorative medal

Lohatla Army Battle School

From 1989 to 1994, elements of 63 Mech's originating units were deployed internally within South Africa. Some squadrons in Zeerust 2SSB also did riot patrols as required while other squadrons were based in Lohatla and did border duty there after. The Battle Group experience of 63 Mech continued to be used by 8 SAI, 1 SSB and 2 SSB in annual integrated conventional warfare training at Lohatla Army Battle School. 63 Mech exercise certificate

8_SAI_preparing_for_training_Lohatla_1993

Battlegroup Organisation

63 Mech Group's structure was designed to be modified as various tasks required.

Deployment in South West Africa

For the specific engagements in Operation Merlyn and Agree however, the unit included: * Two mechanised infantry companies (A and B Companies) from 8 SAI * One tank squadron (C Squadron) from the School of Armour – no tanks were ever part of the unit * One G5 battery (S Battery) from 4 Artillery Regiment – only joined the unit after it returned to Lohathla * One armoured car squadron (E Squadron) from 1 SSB, Bloemfontein * One air defence troop (F Squadron) from

6th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment The Sekhukhune Anti-Aircraft Regiment (formerly 6 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment) is an air defence regiment of the South African Army. It is part of the South African Army Air Defence Artillery Formation. It is located in Johannesburg. History 6 ...

or 10th Anti-Aircraft Regiment * One engineer troop * One Support Company which included mortar, antitank and assault pioneer platoons

Exercises at Lohatla Army Battle School

From 1990, 63 Mech was activated annually only for joint training exercises where 8 SAI was the lead entity: By 1991, Rooikat armoured cars and Ratel ZT3s were added to these exercises at Lohatla Army Battle School. Notable exercises included Excalibur 1 and 2 as well as Blits 2. 63 Mech echelon layout 1990s Lohatla

SANDF Rethink

By 1994, the 63 Mech nomenclature was totally abandoned. The battlegroup principles however continue to be utilised in the current SANDF's training program as and when the need arises. 63 Mech honourary discharge certificate