The Thaba Bosiu Armour Regiment (formerly Regiment President Steyn) is a reserve armoured
regiment
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 ...
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. ...
.
History
SADF 1994 Onward
During Gibson's tenure the Regiment was awarded the “General Winner Personnel Administration” shield consecutively from 1995 to 1997.
On 1 April 1997 Lt Col Gibson handed over command to Lt Col André de Beer when Regiment Vrystaat (RVS) re-joined the Regiment after 21 years.
Name Change
In August 2019, 52 Reserve Force units had their names changed to reflect the diverse military history of South Africa. Regiment President Steyn became the Thaba Bosiu Armour Regiment, and have 3 years to design and implement new regimental insignia.
Regimental symbols
*Regimental Colour: The badge is a
Vickers
Vickers was a British engineering company that existed from 1828 until 1999. It was formed in Sheffield as a steel foundry by Edward Vickers and his father-in-law, and soon became famous for casting church bells. The company went public in 18 ...
machine gun with the arms of the late President Steyn and ''Floreat'' above it and the title and ''Bloemfontein'' below. The flash is yellow above white with black as the lowest panel, and a black triangle on the centre white.
Previous Dress Insignia
Unit colours
The regiment's first Unit Colour was a gift from the City Council of Bloemfontein and the wife of the late President M.T. Steyn presented it to the Unit on 17 October 1939. The RPS also became the first unit to receive the Right to the Freedom of Entry to the City of Bloemfontein. The date of this honour was 1 April 1955.
Battle honours
*
East Africa
East Africa, Eastern Africa, or East of Africa, is the eastern subregion of the African continent. In the United Nations Statistics Division scheme of geographic regions, 10-11-(16*) territories make up Eastern Africa:
Due to the historical ...
1940 – 1941
* Western Desert 1941 – 1943
* Sidi Rezegh
*
Gazala
Gazala, or ʿAyn al-Ġazāla ( ), is a small Libyan village near the coast in the northeastern portion of the country. It is located west of Tobruk.
History
In the late 1930s (during the Italian occupation of Libya), the village was the site of ...
* Alamein Defence
* El Alamein
Operational Duty during the Border War
* South West Africa:
1980 Ruacana: In support of Op Sceptic
1983 Oshivello: Op Robyn
1983 Tsinsabis: Op Phoenix
1988 Oshivello: Op Prone
* Angola:
1987 Op Moduler & Op Hooper
1988 Op Packer
References
{{SA Army Units
South African Army
Armoured regiments of South Africa
Military units and formations in Bloemfontein
Military units and formations established in 2019
Military units and formations of South Africa in the Border War