101 Battalion (South Africa)

The unit was formed in January 1976 as 1 Owambo Battalion,[1] renamed to 35 Battalion in January 1978,[1] 35 Battalion recruited exclusively among the Owambo. and were only given basic training, but this changed after 1978 when the training intensified with an emphasis on rural counterinsurgency operations.

The South West Africa Territory Force, SWATF[2] renumbered battalion numbers according to their geographical positioning on the border. The prefix 10 pertained to battalions operating to the west of the Kavango River, 20 to the Kavango or central region and 70 to the eastern region. Under this system, 35 Battalion was renamed 101 Battalion in 1980.

SWATF Northern Sector Map

Until 1980 101 battalion was used as small teams attached to SADF units as trackers and interpreters.

By 1981 101 converted to a light infantry battalion.

By 1983 at least 2700 men had been recruited and trained, many converted SWAPO insurgents.

A significant development in 101's operations occurred during 1982 with the adaption of Koevoet tactics to a military context. The Reaction Force concept or Romeo Mike developed into two Special Service Companies (901 and 903) in 1984 and a further two (902 and 904) by 1985.[3] Their purpose was to relentlessly track and surround exhausted insurgents. Once a track was detected, elements of a team would dismount from a Casspir and follow the track at a run with the remainder of the team rested and following in the Casspir, and swapping over with the runners frequently, thus sustaining a fast pursuit of the insurgents. When contact was made, the full team with Casspir would charge in. The Romeo Mikes's other three Casspirs would be close of each other and would also react.

101 Battalion consisted of:

• a HQ,
• a support company,
• a light workshop,
• a training wing,
• Special service companies, translating Police tracking concepts to suit Army operations:
  • 901 and
  • 903 Special Service Companies.

These Companies concentrated on external operations and pursuit of infiltrators. Another two reaction force companies was activated, and

• a Reconnaissance Wing.

SWATF era 101 Battalion insignia

Each team in a company had:

• 4 X Casspirs
• 1 X Kwêvoël 50
• 2 X Hispano Suiza 20mm cannons,
• 6 X 50 cal Browning machine guns
• 4 X Light machine guns and
• 4 X 60mm patrol mortars

101 Battalions reaction force teams averaged about 200 contacts annually.[4] By 1985 101 Battalion fought under its own command instead of being detached to external units.

101 Battalion was part of the Sector 10 response to the Cuban buildup and SWAPO incursions, known as the Merlyn Forces in 1989 South West Africa

101 Battalion was disbanded on 30 June 1989 upon the independence of Namibia in 1990-91.[1]

101 Battalion's Colours and Standard were finally laid up in the unit church of 5 Reconnaissance Regiment on 10 April 1990.