121 South African Infantry Battalion

October 2019 October 2019 January 2015 121 South African Infantry Battalion SANDF 121 SAI emblem.jpg 200px 121 SAI emblem 1979 to present South Africa Motorised infantry South African Infantry Formation Mtubatuba, KwaZulu-Natal South African Border War 200px Company level insignia 121 South African Infantry Battalion is a motorised infantry unit of the South African Army. History Origin A decision was made around 1979 to develop a Zulu speaking infantry battalion.Grundy, K.W. Soldiers without politics, Blacks in the South African Armed Forces, Perspectives on Southern Africa, 33, University of California Press, Berkeley. 0-520-04710-9 AACR2 On 20 January men who had reported for duty at the Jozini Base were sent to 21 SAI Battalion at Lenz (near Johannesburg) where 79 men completed training. Garrison On 23 April 1979, 121 SAI Battalion was established and allocated lines near an old Water Affairs compound at Jozini.http://www.32battalion.info/the_terrible_ones_004.htm Author 2014-12-23 https://web.archive.org/web/20150201134605/http://32battalion.info/the_terrible_ones_004.htm 2015-02-01 dead By 1980, a platoon of 121 SAI Battalion was despatched for duty in South West Africa (Namibia). By 1981, 121 SAI Battalion was relocated to a new base at Dukuduku where the leopard head was adopted as the beret badge. 121 SAI Battalion received its national colours in 1989. Freedom of the City was issued to 121 SAI Battalion by: uMhlanga in 1989 and Mtubatuba in 1994 SANDF's Motorised Infantry SANDF's Motorised Infantry is transported mostly by Mamba Mk3 Armoured Personnel Carriers, SAMIL Trucks, or other un-protected motor vehicles. SAMIL 20, SAMIL 50 and SAMIL 100 trucks transport soldiers, towing guns, and carrying equipment and supplies. SAMIL trucks are 2x4 and 4x6 drive, in order to have vehicles that function reliably in extremes of weather and terrain. Motorised infantry have an advantage in mobility allowing them to move to critical sectors of the battlefield faster, allowing better response to enemy movements, as well as the ability to outmaneuver the enemy. Leadership Leadership yes == Honorary Colonel == No known incumbents == Officer Commanding == 1981 nd Maj E. Pretorius 1982 1984 Cmdt J. Quinn 1984 1989 Cmdt J.J. Lotheringen 1990 1992 Cmdt P. Smythe == Regimental Sergeants Major == No known incumbents Insignia Previous Dress Insignia thumb|center|600px|SADF era 121 Battalion insignia Current Dress Insignia thumb|center|500px|SANDF era Infantry Formation insignia References South Africa Category:Infantry battalions of South Africa Category:Infantry regiments of South Africa Category:Military units and formations established in 1979