3 Reconnaissance Commando (South Africa)

3 Reconnaissance Commando
ActiveMay 1976–1980
Disbanded1980
CountrySouth Africa
Allegiance Republic of South Africa
Branch South African Army
TypeSpecial forces
RoleReconnaissance
Part ofSouth African Defence Force

The 3 Reconnaissance Commando was a South African special forces unit.

History

It was established on 1 May 1976[1] as an administrative umbrella for various small team operations such as Delta 40 and Barnacle which were the fore-runners of the Civil Co-operation Bureau (CCB). It operated as the covert arm of Special Forces.[2]

In April 1980, a new unit called 7 Reconnaissance Commando was formed. This unit was created to accommodate the Rhodesian soldiers who did not wish to remain in Rhodesia after majority rule. These were primarily Selous Scouts with a smattering of soldiers from other units. 120 of these soldiers and their families were housed on a new base created on the farm Schiettocht, outside Phalaborwa. They formed the nucleus of the new unit.[1]

The name of the unit was changed from 7 to 3 Reconnaissance Commando to avoid confusion with 7 South African Infantry Battalion (7 SAI) which was also located in Phalaborwa.[1] The Truth and Reconciliation Commission does not seem to have picked up on this distinction, getting the two units confused.[2]

In December 1980, 5 Reconnaissance Commando moved from Dukuduku to Schiettocht and on 1 January 1981, joined forces with 3 Reconnaissance Commando to form 5 Reconnaissance Regiment.[1]

Commanding officers

Officers commanding were:[2][1][a]

  • 1980–1981: Capt J. Atkinson
  • 1980–1983: Garth Barrett[b]

Notes

  1. ^ There is some confusion here as Els reports the Amalgamation of 3 and 5 Recce, with 3 Recce commander being Capt Atkinson in 1980. The TRC reports Garth Barrett as the first commanding officer.
  2. ^ Ex Rhodesian

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Els, Paul. We Fear Naught but God (3rd ed.).
  2. ^ a b c "Volume 2, Chapter 3, Sub-Section 69, Paragraph 52". TRC Final Report. SABC. p. 322. Archived from the original on 24 December 2014. Retrieved 24 December 2014.


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