The Hunter Group was

South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the Southern Africa, southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the Atlantic Ocean, South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the ...

's first special forces unit and counter-insurgency elite formed in 1968, with members of the unit forming and training later special forces and other specialised units of the South African Army.

History

Hunter Group was formed in May 1968 by Commandant G. van Kerckhoven of the

South African Irish Regiment The Andrew Mlangeni Regiment (formerly South African Irish Regiment) is a reserve infantry regiment of the South African Army. History Origins Although all the regular units of Irish origin in the British Army have served in South Africa at s ...

who saw a need to expand the counter-insurgency skills of certain members in the regiment and which would be superior to the basic skills provided to the average national serviceman. He was aided by an ex- Rhodesian army weapons and unarmed combat expert named Grant-Grierson. Initially it drew members from the Irish regiment but as it reputation grew volunteers from other army units also joined. Members received 240 hours of training over weekends and at night over twelve months. Up to 700 men passed through the group's training with members forming or training the first special forces unit and 32 Battalion By 1976 the group had disbanded and its remaining members placed in Citizen Force (Reserve) unit 2 Reconnaissance Commando.

Training

Training included activities such as close weapons use, first aid, vehicle driving, parachuting, guerrilla warfare, stress and shock training,

bushcraft Bushcraft is the use and practice of skills, thereby acquiring and developing knowledge and understanding, in order to survive and thrive in a natural environment. Bushcraft skills provide for the basic physiological necessities for human li ...

and survival, demolitions and many other skills. Member of the group wore camouflaged uniforms which were not worn by any other South African unit with some in the style of airborne smocks with a silver scorpion insignia on a green background on their right sleeve.

History

Training

References

Further reading