Kroonstad Commando was a

light infantry Light infantry refers to certain types of lightly equipped infantry throughout history. They have a more mobile or fluid function than other types of infantry, such as heavy infantry or line infantry. Historically, light infantry often fought ...

regiment 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 Service. ...

. It formed part of the South African Army Infantry Formation as well as the South African Territorial Reserve.

History

Origin

Operations

With the Free State Republic

=Anglo Boer War

= This Commando was involved in the following: * The battle of Rietfontein took place on 24 October 1899 between six commandos of the Free State Army commanded by General A Piet Cronje and a British Flying Column dispatched from Ladysmith under the command of Sir George White. The Free State forces consisted of the following commandos: **

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, ** Kroonstad Commando, **

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, **

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, **

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and **

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. * The battle of Magersfontein took place on 11 December 1899. The Kroonstad Command being split into three on strategic koppies.

With the UDF

By 1902 all Commando remnants were placed under British military control and disarmed. By 1912, however previous Commando members could join shooting associations. By 1940, such commandos were under control of the National Reserve of Volunteers. These commandos were formally reactivated by 1948. UDF era National Reserve of Volunteers shoulder tab

UDF era National Reserve of Volunteers shoulder tab

With the SADF

During this era, the unit was mostly used for rural area force protection and stock theft control. The unit resorted under the command of the SADF's Group 24.

With the SANDF

=Disbandment

= This unit, along with all other Commando units was disbanded after a decision by South African President Thabo Mbeki to disband all Commando Units. The Commando system was phased out between 2003 and 2008 "because of the role it played in the apartheid era", according to the Minister of Safety and Security

Charles Nqakula Charles Nqakula (born 13 September 1942) is a South African politician who served as Minister of Defence from September 2008 to 2009. He also served as Minister for Safety and Security from May 2002 to September 2008. Nqakula is married to fo ...

Unit Insignia