1 Parachute Battalion

Paratroop unit of the South African Army 1st Parachute Battalion (disambiguation)1st Parachute Battalion May 2013 April 2022 1st Parachute Battalion File:1Bn 44 2.jpg 1 April 1961 – present South Africa 1981 SADF 1973-1994 South Africa SANDF 1994-present Airborne Light Infantry Airborne Paratroopers Battalion Tempe, Bloemfontein Parabats Ex alto vincimus (We conquer from Above) Lt. Col. D. Mziki Brigadier M.J. du Plessis Colonel Jan Breytenbach 1 Parachute Battalion (Ex Alto Vincimus)We conquer from above PelsA Books Els Paul J 2010 978-0-620-46738-4 is the only full-time paratroop unit of the South African Army. It was founded on 1 April 1961, along with the Parachute Battalion. The name of this unit was changed to Parachute Training Centre after 1998. It was the first battalion within 44 Parachute Brigade until 1999 when the brigade was downsized to a regiment.https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/rsa/army-44-para.htm 44 Parachute Brigade Globalsecurity.org 21 October 2026 The battalion has performed many active operations in battle – producing many highly decorated soldiers in the South African Border War from 1966 to 1989. Their best known action was the controversial Battle of Cassinga in 1978.McGill Alexander Edward Edward McGill Alexander The Cassinga Raid (MA Thesis) July 2003 http://uir.unisa.ac.za/bitstream/handle/10500/1475/00dissertation.pdf?sequence=4 2014-12-29 https://web.archive.org/web/20141124152157/http://uir.unisa.ac.za/bitstream/handle/10500/1475/00dissertation.pdf?sequence=4 24 November 2014 live The unit's nickname "Parabat" is a portmanteau derived from the words "Parachute Battalion".Dictionary of South African English https://dsae.co.za/entry/parabat/e05521 History Origin In 1960 fifteen volunteers from the SADF were sent to England at RAF Abingdon, the majority to train as parachute instructors, some as parachute-packers and one SAAF pilot in the dropping of paratroopers. These men together with an older unit called 2 Mobile Watch formed the nucleus of 1 Parachute Battalion at Tempe in Bloemfontein in April 1961. thumb|center|300px|UDF era 2 Mobile Watch Shoulder title The first paratroopers were Permanent Force men, but soon the training of Citizen Force (similar to the National Guard of the United States) paratroopers commenced. First Action Members of 1 Parachute Battalion were the first S.A. Army soldiers to see action after World War II when, in 1966, they participated, with the South African Police, against insurgents in South West Africa.44 Parachute Brigade 1997 Col Skillie van der Walt Unpublished Manuscript 1997 In 1966, members of 1 Parachute Battalion participated in the first action in the war in South West Africa during a heliborne assault on an insurgent base. Thereafter, they were involved in operations in SWA/Namibia, Angola, Zambia, Mozambique and Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) and elsewhere on an almost constant basis for over 20 years. Organisation under the SADF 1 Parachute Bn. was organised as follows: Permanent Force: Bn H.Q., H.Q. Coy and A and B Coy's; Citizen Force: C Coy Cape Town, D Coy Durban, E Coy Pretoria and F Coy Johannesburg Development of Sister Units Further battalions were added: 2 Para Bn in 1971 and 3 Para Bn in 1977. Border War On the night of 4 June 1974 40 paratroopers from 1 Parachute Battalion B Company jumped into Angola as support for a group of Recce's on a counter insurgency mission against SWAPO in southern Zambia. Following this operation Recce Lieutenant Freddie Zeelie was killed on 23 June 1974 and became the first SADF soldier killed in combat during a contact with insurgents in southern Angola during the border war era. In 1974 and 1975 1 Parachute Battalion operated along the Angolan border with S.W.A; along the Caprivi Strip; a platoon jumped near Luiana (September 1975), Angola to relieve a group of "Bushmen" trapped by a SWAPO force; and 3 platoons Joined Operation Savannah at Sá da Bandeira the day after the airport was taken (October 1975). The two platoons withdrew in February/March Operation Savannah during the Angolan Civil War in July 1975 when 1 string of 1 Parachute Battalion were flown to Ondangwa and travelled by Unimog to Ruancana on the northern border of SWA at Ruacana and Santa Clara in Angola to relieve two Portuguese communities trapped by the MPLA. The Para Brigade With the coming of 44 Parachute Brigade in April 1978, under the leadership of Brigadier M J du Plessis and Colonel Jan Breytenbach, a co-founder of the brigade. it became a powerful force. The first large airborne exercise of the Parachute Battalion Group took place in 1987 in the Northwestern Transvaal (now North West Province). With the eventual disbanding of 44 Parachute Brigade its full-time personnel were moved to Bloemfontein and incorporated into the 1 Parachute Battalion Group. New Techniques In 1986, the unit embarked on its first HALO/HAHO (High altitude Low Opening/High Altitude High Opening) course in Bloemfontein. This would enable the troops to drop into enemy territory from aircraft following commercial routes. Under the SANDF In 2001 battalion personnel formed the spearhead of the South African Protection Support Detachment deploying to Burundi.The South African Air Force http://www.saairforce.co.za/news-and-events/140/south-african- 2021-10-15 saairforce.co.za In 2012, 1 Parachute Battalion participated in the South African military assistance to the Central African Republic operation, where the unit suffered 13 killed, with 27 injured and one missing in action in an ambush conducted by Séléka rebels.2013-03-26 SANDF releases names of SA soldiers killed in CAR https://mg.co.za/article/2013-03-26-sandf-releases-names-of-sa-soldiers-killed-in-car/ 2021-10-15 The Mail & Guardian en-ZA In 2014 it was announced that 1 Parachute Battalion would receive Battle Honours for this operation.http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33678:battle-honours-for-three-sandf-units&catid=111:sa-defence&Itemid=242 Battle honours for three SANDF units DefenceWeb 19 February 2014 20 February 2014 Helfrich Kim In 2013, the battalion contributed one company, under command of Major Vic Vrolik, to the FIB which fought a number of engagements in the DRC. http://www.timeslive.co.za/local/2014/08/22/south-africa-at-war-in-the-drc--the-inside-story South Africa at war in the DRC – The inside story 22 August 2014 22 September 2014 TimesLIVE Hofstatter Stephan Oatway James Training right|thumb|Qualification Jump 1 Parachute Battalion is the sole military parachute training institution in South Africa, with its parachute School being responsible for all training. The school has had only four fatalities in its existence. 1 Parachute Battalion is a full-time unit which in addition to parachute training also conducts force training to recruits inducted into the unit and other units in the South African Army. The average age ranges in the mid-twenties. The selection and training of paratroops is rigorous to ensure a standard of combat efficiency is retained at a high level. Recruitment Members of 1 Parachute Battalion visit the various battalions each year early in the training cycle to look for volunteers. These must then pass a physical test at their unit prior to appearing before a selection board, which examines their character and motivation. Initial evaluation To give would-be members the endurance and the fitness they will need for operations in the harsh African conditions, the instructors of 44 Parachute Brigade place particular emphasis on basic physical training. Soldiers volunteering for service with the parachute forces first undergo a battery of medical tests – similar to that for flying personnel – before setting off on a 5 km mi timed run. Before they can recover their breath, they tackle the second test: 200 m mi run in which each man carries another on his back. Those who are accepted are then transferred to 1 Para, where they first complete the normal three-month basic training course, with some differences: PT three times a day, no walking in camp under any circumstances and a 10 to 15 km mi run to end each day.April 2026 20 km mi runs carrying tar poles; car tyres attached to the candidates by a long rope; or the dreaded 25 kg lb concrete slab that has to be carried everywhere the candidate goes.April 2026 The would-be paratroops get a 24-hour ration pack or "rat pack" for the duration of the selection. During these days, they are given several tasks to perform in an allocated time: Several 20 to 30 km mi Night marches/runs with 25 kg lb bergens, boxing, 75 kg lb stretcher run over 20 km mi, digging trenches and the carrying of artillery canisters over 10 km mi during a timed run are just a few of the tasks that has to be completed. On top of all this the candidates are out in the African bush with no showers, hot meals or beds after each gruelling day. Each year the sequence of what "tests" will be done to get the strongest out of the "wannabees" changes, so it comes as quite a surprise each year. Due to lack of sleep, hunger and extreme physical tasks many of the men give up. After all the above tests, the few remaining soldiers head back to camp where they have to complete an obstacle course called the "Elephant". Some foreign Elite soldiers claimed this to be one of the hardest bone breaking obstacle courses ever. Again, this is a timed exercise, which has to be completed several times, it is also done with full battle kit. Again the instructors are looking for any hesitant students during the high obstacles and underwater swim through a narrow tunnel. At the end of the "Elephant" several more students drop out due to injury or not completing the course in the required time. At this point the course has been completed. However, there is always the 'bad surprise" which has historically become part of the Selection Phase. After a six-month ordeal, the selected few (about 40% of the original intake), make the 12 jumps required to obtain their wings. During this time, the chances of being disqualified are still very high. This phase is followed by some advanced individual training, during which such subjects as advanced driving, demolitions, tactics and patrolling, unarmed combat, survival skills, escape and evasion, aspects of guerrilla warfare, tracking, raiding, counterinsurgency operations, fast rope skills, ambush and anti-ambush techniques and foreign weapons and techniques are covered. Their instructors, however, always find that something is left to be desired with the inspection which invariably follows. To harden their muscles, trainees are made to carry a telegraph pole for two days, at a rate of 20 km mi daily. Back at base, the 'marble', a stone weighing about 25 kg lb which the soldier must carry wherever he goes, is used as a substitute for the same purpose. The detailed training programme is listed below: centre|660px|thumb|Qualifications right|thumb|Physical Training with the "Marble" right|thumb|Obstacle Course, "The Elephant" Basic training – 10 weeks Musketry Field Craft Drill Map Reading Buddy Aid Physical Training – Very important Parachute qualification training – 5 weeks Parachute Selection – 2 Weeks (8 hours Physical Training every day for 2 weeks) Running 9 km mi and more with boots Running up to 21 km mi with logs Battle PT with Logs, Concrete Blocks and Rifles Route Marches of 14 km mi with full kit Boxing, Soccer, Wrestling, Rugby with Car Tyre as ball Callisthenic Exercises Qualification Tests (60% must be attained after the 2 weeks Parachute Selection) 3.2 km mi with full kit in 18 minutes 40 Shuttle Runs in 90 seconds 200 m mi fireman's lift with full kit Climb a 6-metre rope Climb over a 2-metre wall with full kit 50 pushups without resting 67 sit-ups in 2 minutes 120 squat kicks without resting Parachute training – 3 weeks following successful parachute selection Ground training in hangar Jumping from "aapkas" (Outdoor exit trainer) Jumping from Dakota Aircraft Jumping from C130 / C160 Transall Aircraft Jumping includes day and night jumps, with and without kit using standard and steerable parachutes A total of 8 jumps must be completed before the sought after paratrooper wings are awarded Current Day Selection and Training for the Physical portion of the Parachute Course Until 1991 the physical portion of the Parachute Qualifying course was 2 weeks, but due to national service being shortened to one year, the army had a need to change and make the training more compact and fast-paced. However some of the 'older' paratroops still do physical training courses to ensure that standards do not drop. Individual training – 8 weeks Platoon Weapons Battle Craft Specialist Training (in one of the following mustering) Section Leaders Rifleman Mortar man Anti-Tank Gunner Machine Gunner Signaler Intelligence NCO Medical Orderly Driver Clerk Parachute Packer Store man Conventional warfare training – 10 weeks Advance Defence Withdrawal Cooperation with Armoured, Artillery, Air Force etc. Airborne Operations including Air Assault battle handling on sub-unit level Counter-insurgency (COIN) training – 9 weeks Bush Warfare Techniques Reaction Force Operations Specialized Air Operations Airborne Raids Active operational duty January 2015 Once a paratroop is fully trained, he takes part in the normal operational and training activities of the unit. Other Training Specialist Parachute and other Training Courses include: Pathfinder Training Basic fast-roping/rappelling skills thumb|Fast roping from a South African Air Force Atlas Oryx Fast-roping/rappelling dispatchers Fast-roping/rappelling instructors Static Line dispatchers course Basic Parachute instructors course Advance static line jump course Basic Free Fall Course Free fall dispatchers course Free fall instructors course Advanced free fall course Advanced free fall instructors course Drop zone safety officers course Parachute Packing and checking course Tandem parachuting Leadership 1 Parachute Battalion Leadership yes == Commanding Officers == 1961 1965 Lt Col Willem Louw255 SSA, SM52 Later Lieutenant General 1965 1967 Cmdt J Fourie 1967 1968 Cmdt MJ du Plessis 1968 1972 Cmdt GJ Viviers 1972 1974 Cmdt JPM Möller 1974 1977 Cmdt TE Olckers 1978 1981 Cmdt DJ Moore Later Colonel 1982 1983 Col AL van Graan 1983 1988 Col CE le Roux SD, SM, MMM LaterMajGen Later Major General 1988 1990 Col JR Hills 1990 1991 Col L Rudman PVD, SD, SM, MMM, SAStC LaterMajGen 1992 1994 Cmdt JPJ Brooks 1994 1995 Cmdt M Taljaard 1995 1997 Lt Col CL Cilliers 1997 1998 Lt Col C Botha Acting Acting (Temporarily holding the post without confirmation) 1998 1998 Lt Col JPJ Brooks 1998 2000 Lt Col JPS le Roux 2000 2002 Lt Col E Fullard 2004 2009 Lt Col C Rogers 2009 Unknown Lt Col D Mziki Unknown Unknown Lt Col Renier (Doibi) Coetzee SM, PS, MMM Later Brigadier General == Regimental Sergeants Major == No known incumbents Insignia Previous Dress Insignia thumb|center|700px|SADF era 1 Parachute Battalion insignia 300px|thumb|center|1 Parachute Battalion beret Battle Honours List of South African Battle HonoursOn 20 February 2014 three units were awarded battle honours to be displayed on the unit colours for their participation in the Battle of Bangui in the Central African Republic during March 2013.South Africa: Armed Forces Day: Air Force Base Bloemspruit http://www.aafonline.co.za/news/south-africa-armed-forces-day-air-force-base-bloemspruit African Armed Forces Online African Armed Forces Journal 24 November 2014 Bloemfontein 24 February 2014 On Thursday, 20 February, the Chief of the SANDF, General Solly Shoke, awarded Battle Honours to the units that were involved in The Battle of Bangui. The Battle Honours were conferred to 1 Parachute Battalion, 5 Reconnaissance Regiment and 7 Medical Battalion in a ceremony prior to the Armed Forces Day. These units were allowed to march with their Battle Honours for the first time on the Armed Forces Day parade. 27 October 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141027123250/http://www.aafonline.co.za/news/south-africa-armed-forces-day-air-force-base-bloemspruit dead Awarded to 1 Parachute Battalion Bangui Notes References 30em Category:Infantry battalions of South Africa Category:Military units and formations in Bloemfontein Category:Airborne units and formations of South Africa Category:Military units and formations established in 1961 Category:Military units and formations of South Africa in the Border War