Carolina Commando


Carolina Commando was a light infantry regiment of the South African Army. It formed part of the South African Army Infantry Formation as well as the South African Territorial Reserve.

History

Origin

Previously a part of the Lydenburg Commando, Carolina Commando was formed around 1859.

Operations

With the Zuid Afrikaanse Republiek

This commandos first engagements included;
The commando was involved in the following engagements in the Anglo Boer War:
By 1902 all Commando remnants were 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.

With the SADF

Under the SADF, this Commando was seconded to Group 28's Command. It was utilised in the area protection role.

With the SANDF

Under the SANDF's Group 12 situated in Ermelo made use of the commandos at Carolina, Ermelo and Piet Retief for some borderline functions.
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.

Unit Insignia

Leadership