32 Battalion SADF

[IronDuke99]

Between about 1975 and 1992/93 32 Battalion of the South African Defence Force was, in some respects, the most militarily successful unit in the SADF. Made up of black African soldiers with mainly white officers, etc, it was feared by their enemies and, generally, admired by the rest of the SADF. Why is it not in the South African Orbat for that period?

[DRG]

Because nobody ever ASKED for them before now and given the OOB has existed well over a decade and you are the first to mention it is a good indicator why

That said the Recce Cdo can cover

[IronDuke99]

Because nobody ever ASKED for them before now and given the OOB has existed well over a decade and you are the first to mention it is a good indicator why

That said the Recce Cdo can cover

The Recces were more like the RSA version of the SAS, whereas 32 Battalion was a very high class, specialist Light Infantry battalion. It is a major gap in the SADF orbat, if you will forgive my saying so.

[SaS TrooP]

It could be added as standard motorized or foot infantry with boosts, similar to British Guard/Gurka Companies.

[IronDuke99]

It could be added as standard motorized or foot infantry with boosts, similar to British Guard/Gurka Companies.

To be honest I would say that 32 Battalion would be to standard SADF infantry something like the Royal Marines or Paras relative to standard British infantry.

Recce Commandos were somewhere up, fairly close, to the SAS and Rhodesian SAS, 32 Battalion needs to be between that and standard infantry, bearing in mind they did both conventional and semi-guerrilla warfare. To be honest I'm very surprised no one has mentioned this iconic unit before.

In terms of effectiveness against SWAPO 32 Battalion were second to none.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8S3UHsblxs

Now there is a song that seems very strange these days, on several levels... Bayete.

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

I can remember some of this stuff making the evening news here at the time. If it's being considered than a little background data is needed.
http://specialoperations.com/28703/terrible-ones-south-africas-32-battalion/
http://www.vice.com/read/32-battalion-409-v17n4
http://www.32battalion.net/
http://www.rhodesia.nl/sword.htm
http://www.volkstaat.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=510:32nd-battalion-rsa-south-africa&catid=108:rsa-southern-african-empire&Itemid=173

Good dope for someone in the scenario/campaign business.
http://sadf.info/SWATF%20Operations.html
http://www.32va.co.za/index.php

The USMC analysis of the Angolan Conflict.
https://www.scribd.com/doc/52703286/South-African-Defense-Forces-SADF-USMC-Analysis-of-Operations-in-Angolan-War

The last from the CORPS might be the best all the way around for everyone for most any purpose. And no I didn't finish reading it but, it is very late and what am I still doing up!?!

Good Night in the morning-again!!

We need a yawning simile that scratch's it's pits while yawning, how classy is that? :D

Regards,
Pat
:capt:

[IronDuke99]

I can remember some of this stuff making the evening news here at the time. If it's being considered than a little background data is needed.
http://specialoperations.com/28703/terrible-ones-south-africas-32-battalion/
http://www.vice.com/read/32-battalion-409-v17n4
http://www.32battalion.net/
http://www.rhodesia.nl/sword.htm
http://www.volkstaat.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=510:32nd-battalion-rsa-south-africa&catid=108:rsa-southern-african-empire&Itemid=173

Good dope for someone in the scenario/campaign business.
http://sadf.info/SWATF%20Operations.html
http://www.32va.co.za/index.php

The USMC analysis of the Angolan Conflict.
https://www.scribd.com/doc/52703286/South-African-Defense-Forces-SADF-USMC-Analysis-of-Operations-in-Angolan-War

The last from the CORPS might be the best all the way around for everyone for most any purpose. And no I didn't finish reading it but, it is very late and what am I still doing up!?!

Good Night in the morning-again!!

We need a yawning simile that scratch's it's pits while yawning, how classy is that? :D

Regards,
Pat
:capt:


A lot of good information there.

32 Battalion often used San 'Bushman' trackers who were happy to help them since SWAPO invariably treated them with cruelty and contempt (something that sadly continues in Namibia today).

[shahadi]

Hey IronDuke99, you may consider building the formations of this unit in MobHack. Build the formations in slots above 900. Save the modified OOB for others to use in scenario building.

Thanks for bringing to our attention.

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[IronDuke99]

Orbats are not really my thing unless I happen to come across one in my reading.

32 Battalion's changed a lot over the years but ended up at a battalion HQ, seven rifle companies, one recce company (organised in small fire teams) and a HQ company that had an assortment of heavy kit not normally associated with a light infantry battalion. The battalion also operated two combat commands which made sense for a large battalion.

[shahadi]

I found this website posting an OOB if the 32nd Battalion, with a caveat the OOB is conjecture, although comments from 32vets offered minor changes.

Here is the link:http://www.warinangola.com/Default.aspx?tabid=704

Also, I found this comment helpful:

http://www.warinangola.com/default.aspx?tabid=590&forumid=74&postid=351&view=topic, posted by Piet on 5/4/2010.

I have referenced this site before. It is socked with a lot of information.

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[IronDuke99]

Orbats are not really my thing unless I happen to come across one in my reading.

32 Battalion's changed a lot over the years but ended up at a battalion HQ, seven rifle companies, one recce company (organised in small fire teams) and a HQ company that had an assortment of heavy kit not normally associated with a light infantry battalion. The battalion also operated two combat commands which made sense for a large battalion.



I should have said Support company, rather than HQ coy (note to self: do not post after too many G and T's).

[troopie]

32 Battalion was armed like any other South African infantry battalion. Ramp up the morale and experience when using them.

troopie

[IronDuke99]

32 Battalion was armed like any other South African infantry battalion. Ramp up the morale and experience when using them.

troopie


Except to some extent early on and the Support Coy in the late period.