82 Mechanised Brigade was a Formation of 8th South African Armoured Division, a combined arms force consisting of infantry, armour and artillery.

History

Establishment

82 Mech was established on 1 August 1974 as part of 8th South African Armoured Division, an armoured formation. By 1977, the Brigade comprised: *Two Mechanised Infantry Battalions:

Regiment de la Rey The General de la Rey Regiment (formerly Regiment de la Rey) is an reserve infantry regiment of the South African Army. Formation The Regiment de la Rey was established in 1934 as one of the new Afrikaans language Citizen Force units of the ...

and

Regiment Groot Karoo Regiment Groot Karoo was an infantry battalion of the South African Army. As a reserve force unit, it had a status roughly equivalent to that of a British Army Reserve or United States Army National Guard unit. History Origin Regiment Groot Ka ...

*A Tank Regiment:

Regiment President Steyn A regiment is a military unit. Its role and size varies markedly, depending on the country, service and/or a specialisation. In Medieval Europe, the term "regiment" denoted any large body of front-line soldiers, recruited or conscripted ...

*A Armoured Car Regiment:

Regiment Mooirivier The Molapo Armoured Regiment (formerly Regiment Mooirivier) is a reserve armoured regiment of the South African Army. History Origin The regiment was founded in 1941 as 2 Anti Tank Regiment and re-instituted in 1954 by the first vice-rector o ...

*A Field Artillery Regiment: Regiment Potchefstroom University *A Field Engineer Squadron: 13 Field Engineer *A Signals Units: 82 Signals *A Maintenance Unit: 3 Maintenance Unit *A Field Workshop: 71 Field Workshop and *A Field Ambulance: Structure SADF 82 Mechanised Brigade circa 1988

Structure SADF 82 Mechanised Brigade circa 1988

Divisional Transfer

In 1985, 82 Mechanised Brigade was transferred to 7 Division.

South West Africa and Angola

Operations

As part of 7 Division, 82 Mech was primarily involved in: *

Operation Packer Operation Packer was a military operation by the South African Defence Force (SADF) during the South African Border War and Angolan Civil War from March to April 1988. This operation forms part of what became known as the Battle of Cuito Cuanaval ...

During Operation Packer which succeeded

Operation Hooper Operation Hooper was a military operation in 1987-88 by the South African Defence Force (SADF) during the South African Border War. This operation forms part of what has come to be called the Battle of Cuito Cuanavale. The Cubans' objective was se ...

in March 1988, 82 Mechanised Brigade protected the eastern bank of the Cuito River. During this operation the FAPLA forces suffered losses and the situation on the eastern bank stabilised to such an extent that

Operation Displace Operation Displace was a military operation by the South African Defence Force during the South African Border War and Angolan Civil War. It involved maintaining the illusion that the SADF had remained in brigade strength east of Cuito Cuanava ...

could start. During this phase the South African forces withdrew from Angola. SADF era Brigade level Sergeant Major insignia

Disbandment

8th South African Armoured Division’s Brigades were disbanded in 1992 and the battalions and regiments came to answer directly to the divisional headquarters - the thinking was that these would be grouped into task forces as required.

Insignia

Roll of Honour

* Fincham, D.R. 1982 * Coleby, D.N. Sgt 1983

Honoris Crux Recipients

* Lewis, M.J. WO, 12 Sept 1990 * Du Plessis, R. S Sgt, 12 Sept 1990

Leadership

Further developments

82 Mech Brigade can be considered the Citizens Force version of 61 Mech, encompassing similar battlegroup or Task Force principles.

References

External links

{{Use dmy dates, date=June 2017 Brigades of South Africa Military units and formations established in 1974 Military units and formations of South Africa in the Border War Military units and formations disestablished in 1992