301 Battalion
| 301 Battalion | |
|---|---|
 SWATF 301 Battalion emblem | |
| Active | 1984 |
| Country |  Namibia, .svg.png){kind=small} South Africa |
| Allegiance | South Africa |
| Branch | .svg.png){kind=small} South African Army, |
| Type | Infantry |
| Part of | South West African Territorial Force |
| Garrison/HQ | Tsintsabis, East of Etosha National Park, north of Tsumeb |
| Equipment | Casspir, Buffel |
| Commanders | |
| Ceremonial chief | Captain Daan Liebenberg |
| Insignia | |
| Part of the South West African Territorial Force |  |
301 Battalion was part of Sector 30 of the South West African Territorial Force.
Leadership
Corporal (Korporaal). Stephanus Christiaan Grobler.
History
61 Mech Connection
This unit was first known as the Northern Border Company and was located at Tsintsabis, close to the Alpha Cutline. It was under command of 61 Mech Battalion Group before it was placed under command of Sector 30. Sector 30 was used for Operation Yahoo, Carrot and Hokaai.
The unit consisted of Bushmen trackers and at one stage SWATF[1] Motorised Infantry Companies.
Cutlines
The units main task was to patrol Alpha, Bravo and Charlie Cutlines as well as area between these cutlines from Oshivello to Mururani Gate in sector 20. They also patrolled the Northern Border of the Etosha Game Reserve as a final buffer against PLAN Typhoon.
The units shoulder flash was never officially recognised.[2]
Major Role
301 Battalion played a major role in defending the borders of South West Africa (Namibia) as where they were stationed (Tsintsabis and Tsumeb) was a hot zone for attacks by SWAPO and PLAN, if they were to break through, it would give them a straight shot into civilian and military infrastructure, Tsintsabis and Tsumeb had 2 nicknames "The Death Triangle" and "The Road Of Death", they were given these nicknames because of how frequently SWAPO and PLAN would attack the road between Tsintsabis and Tsumeb via planting landmines in the road after burning holes into the tar and via launching night insurgency attacks where they would try to enter the country, 301 Battalion members had their heads on a swivel 24/7 to protect the border and they played a major role in ensuring the border of South West Africa's safety.[3][4][5]
See also
References
- ↑ "Introducing the SWATF" (PDF). Financial Mail (Supplement). 10 July 1987. pp. 44–47. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 February 2018.
- ↑ Helmoed-Romer Heitman (Author), Paul Hannon (Illustrator), Modern African Wars (3): South-West Africa (Men-At-Arms Series, 242), Osprey Publishing (November 28, 1991) ISBN 1-85532-122-X
- ↑ Sullivan, Sian; Dieckmann, Ute; Lendelvo, Selma, eds. (2024). Etosha Pan to the Skeleton Coast - 16. History and social complexities for San at Tsintsabis resettlement farm, Namibia. doi:10.11647/obp.0402. ISBN 978-1-80511-296-9.
- ↑ "61 Mechanised Battalion Group Veterans Association - Operation Carrot (1981)". www.61mech.org.za. Retrieved 2026-07-19.
- ↑ "Resettlement in Tsintsabis, Namibia: historical background and contemporary social complexities in Haiǀǀom and !Xun development planning".
- Snyman, PHR (1989). "Beeld Van Die SWA Gebiedsmag". Archived from the original on 2014-11-07.
Further reading
- Helmoed-Romer Heitman (Author), Paul Hannon (Illustrator), Modern African Wars (3): South-West Africa (Men-At-Arms Series, 242), Osprey Publishing (November 28, 1991) ISBN 1-85532-122-X.