8 South African Armoured Division was a

formation Formation may refer to: Linguistics * Back-formation, the process of creating a new lexeme by removing or affixes * Word formation, the creation of a new word by adding affixes Mathematics and science * Cave formation or speleothem, a secondar ...

of the

South African Army The South African Army is the principal land warfare force of South Africa, a part of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), along with the South African Air Force, South African Navy and South African Military Health Servic ...

, active from the 1970s to 1999.

History

8 South African Division was established as an Armoured Formation on August 1, 1974, consisting of 81 Armoured Brigade, 82 Mechanised Brigade and 84 Motorised Brigade. It was, in many respects, a mirror of 7th South African Infantry Division. A provisional 1977 order of battle had 8 Armoured Division organised as follows:

Divisional Breakdown

Divisional Level Attached Units

Artillery, maintenance, engineers, signals and provost (Military Police)

Brigades

81 Armoured Brigade

Headquartered in

Pretoria Pretoria () is South Africa's administrative capital, serving as the seat of the executive branch of government, and as the host to all foreign embassies to South Africa. Pretoria straddles the Apies River and extends eastward into the foothi ...

, 81 Armoured Brigade consisted of the following units: Structure SADF 81 Armoured Brigade update 2

82 Mechanised Brigade

Headquartered in

Potchefstroom Potchefstroom (, colloquially known as Potch) is an academic city in the North West Province of South Africa. It hosts the Potchefstroom Campus of the North-West University. Potchefstroom is on the Mooi Rivier ( Afrikaans for "pretty ri ...

, 82 Mechanised Brigade consisted of the following units: Structure SADF 82 Mechanised Brigade circa 1988

=South West Africa Angolan theater

= During

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 ...

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, FAPLA forces suffered losses and the situation on the eastern bank stabilised to such an extent that Operation Displace could be started. During this phase the South African forces withdrew from Angola.

83 Mechanised Brigade

83 Mechanised Brigade was never activated.

84 Motorised Brigade

Headquartered in

Durban Durban ( ) ( zu, eThekwini, from meaning 'the port' also called zu, eZibubulungwini for the mountain range that terminates in the area), nicknamed ''Durbs'',Ishani ChettyCity nicknames in SA and across the worldArticle on ''news24.com'' from ...

, 84 Brigade was formed in Durban as part of 8 South African Armoured Armoured Division on August 1, 1974 and its official establishment was authorized on September 10 of that year. Brigadier G. Wolmarans was authorized as its first commanding officer with Commandant W.P. Sass, Maj H.L. Bosman, and Capt J.E. Samuales as staff officers posted to headquarters. The new Brigade was located at Lords Grounds. SADF 84 Motorised Brigade beret badge

84 Motorised Brigade consisted of the following units: SADF 84 Motorised Brigade ver 2

Leadership

Inter-divisional Reorganizing

By 1985, 8 Division consisted of 81 Armoured Brigade, 84 Motorised Brigade and 72 Motorised Brigade. 82 Mechanised Brigade had been transferred to the command of 7th South African Infantry Division.

Mobilisation

Insignia

Disbanding

Brigade Disbanding

8 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. The concept was never put to a serious test. The Formation was also renamed 8 South African Division.

Divisional Disbanding

The Division was effectively disbanded on April 1, 1997, when its former units became part of 7th South African Infantry Division as 74 Brigade. SADF era 74 Brigade with 7 Inf Division tupper flash

SADF era 74 Brigade with 7 Inf Division tupper flash

SADF era 8th Armoured Division commemorative letters 1988 ver 2

Notes

References

* Cock, J. Laurie, N. ''War and Society: The Militarisation of South Africa'', published by David Phillip, 1989 {{SA Army Units Armoured units and formations of South Africa Infantry divisions of South Africa Disbanded military units and formations in Durban Military units and formations established in 1974 Military units and formations disestablished in 1999 1999 establishments in South Africa