1 Reconnaissance Commando (South Africa)

September 2013 October 2014 January 2015 1 Reconnaissance Commando 1972 South Africa South Africa 1928 Republic of South Africa South Africa 1981 Special forces South African Defence Force Durban Through Stealth Our Strength Cmdt Jan Breytenbach 1997 The 1 Reconnaissance Commando was the first South African special forces unit, founded by General Fritz Loots - the founder of the South African Special Forces, and the first General Officer Commanding of the South African Special Forces. He appointed 111 Recce Strachan Alexander NB Publishers 2018 978-0-624-08152-4 Cape Town 51 qualified paratroopers (known as "The Dirty Dozen", although they were made up of only 11 men) as the founder members. Included in these 11 paratroopers was Jan Breytenbach, who was placed in command of the Founder Members by General Loots. History Major General Loots and the Chief of the Army, Lt. General Willem Louw realised the need for a South African Defence Force to have a special operations capability, but the Chief of the SADF South African Defence Force, General Rudolph Hiemstra resisted. It was not until Admiral Hugo Biermann became Chief of the South African Defence Force in 1972 that the go-ahead was granted.Admiral Hugo Biermann https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/military-obituaries/naval-obituaries/9265607/Admiral-Hugo-Biermann.html 2021-06-04 The Telegraph 14 May 2012 subscription live https://web.archive.org/web/20211218091117/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/military-obituaries/naval-obituaries/9265607/Admiral-Hugo-Biermann.html Dec 18, 2021 The unit was originally based at Oudtshoorn in the Cape Province, but was moved to Durban in 1974,1 Reconnaissance Regiment / 1 Special Forces Regiment http://www.recce.co.za/special-forces-history/1rr-1sfr-history SA Special Forces League 28 October 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140616182218/http://www.recce.co.za/special-forces-history/1rr-1sfr-history 16 June 2014 dead dmy-all where it was formally named 1 Reconnaissance Commando. In the early 1980s, the unit had less than 40 Recce's based at 1RR of which the majority were white. It was renamed 1 Reconnaissance Regiment in 1996, but was disbanded and integrated into 4 Reconnaissance Regiment and 5 Reconnaissance Regiment in 1997. The South African Special Forces is a unit under the South African National Defence Force and were originally called the Reconnaissance Regiments. "South African Special Forces: Salary, World Rating, Weapons, Quick Facts", published by the website BuzzSouthAfrica. As the BuzzSouthAfrica article states, capabilities for a special forces unit was established in 1968. However, the actual unit was not created until 1972. According to the South African History website, legislation was passed in 1912 that allowed for the development for a special forces unit. The unit is still intact today. The creation of the Reconnaissance Commando was created in Outdshoorn, South Africa. The unit currently operates out of Durban, South Africa. The Reconnaissance Commando was formed in order to increase the strength of the South African military. This unit makes soldiers with very specialized and rare skills that make them an extremely valuable asset to South Africa's military.Smith Andile South African Special Forces: Salary, World Rating & Weapons https://buzzsouthafrica.com/south-african-special-forces/ BuzzSouthAfrica 30 May 2014 Heritage – The Founders https://www.recce.co.za/heritage-the-founders/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20240104020527/https://www.recce.co.za/heritage-the-founders/ Jan 4, 2024 SASFA Leadership 1 Reconnaissance Commando yes == Commanding OfficersTRC Final Report http://www.sabctrc.saha.org.za/reports/volume2/chapter3/subsection69.htm SABC 24 December 2014 322 Volume 2, Chapter 3, Sub-Section 69, Paragraph 50 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20141224105920/http://www.sabctrc.saha.org.za/reports/volume2/chapter3/subsection69.htm 24 December 2014 == 1972 1975 Cmdt Jan Breytenbach DVR, SD, SM, MMM 1975 1981 Maj J. C. Swart Temporary Commandant 1981 1983 Col. E. Olckers 1983 1988 Col. A. Bestbier 1988 n.d. Col. G. Keulder == Regimental Sergeant's Major == No known incumbents The South African Special Forces Association website shed a light onto the leader of the Reconnaissance Commando and the 11 men who first served in the unit. Commander JD Breytenbach led these men and pioneered a standard of training and professionalism that the SASF has followed since. A Special Forces unit was created by two Generals who pushed for permission to create it. Once they were given the go-ahead, the Generals appointed 12 troopers to the unit and began training them.South African Defence Force (SADF) https://www.sahistory.org.za/article/south-african-defence-force-sadf live https://web.archive.org/web/20240115045735/https://www.sahistory.org.za/article/south-african-defence-force-sadf Jan 15, 2024 South African History Online Notes References External links S. African Reccee (description of selection) http://www.specwarnet.net/world/sarecee.htm SpecWarNet.net SpecWarNet 28 October 2014 South Africa Category:Special forces of South Africa Category:Defunct organisations based in South Africa Category:Disbanded military units and formations in Durban Category:Military units and formations of South Africa in the Border War Category:Military units and formations established in 1972 Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1997