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Republic of South Africa. Border War Reconnaissance Commando beret of the South African Defence Force (SADF). South African cap from the Apartheid period, pre-1991.
The first South African Special Forces unit, the 1st Reconnaissance Commando, was established on October 1, 1972, in Oudtshoorn, Cape Province. It subsequently relocated to Durban, Natal, on January 1, 1975, and remained a prominent airborne special forces unit.
Five more Reconnaissance Commandos were established, including the 2nd Reconnaissance Commando (Citizen Force) in Johannesburg. Unfortunately, this unit was eventually withdrawn due to rationalization and the discontinuation of the Citizen Force unit concept. The 3rd Reconnaissance Commando, composed of former Selous Scouts from Rhodesia, was established in Phalaborwa. The unit’s integration into the South African Armed Forces was largely unsuccessful, and it was eventually disbanded in 1981. The remaining personnel were absorbed into other Special Forces units.
The 4th Reconnaissance Commando, specializing in maritime operations, originated in the coastal town of Langebaan, located in the Cape Province.
The 5th Reconnaissance Commando was initially stationed at Camp Duku-Duku in Natal, but later relocated to Phalaborwa, in the Transvaal Province.
The 6th Reconnaissance Commando, composed of former members of the Rhodesian Special Air Service, was founded in Durban. Despite efforts to integrate the unit into the South African Armed Forces, they ultimately failed, and it was disbanded in 1981. The remaining personnel were integrated into other Special Forces units.
In 1980, as part of Operation Winter, the SADF recruited numerous white members of the Rhodesian special forces, who subsequently joined the South African Special Forces.
On January 1, 1981, a reorganization took place within the Special Forces. This resulted in the transformation of the Reconnaissance Commandos and other special forces into an independent formation. This formation came under the direct command of the South African Defence Force, rather than the South African Army. The various Reconnaissance Commandos were also elevated to regimental status during the same reorganization period. Later in the decade, a headquarters and a supply depot were incorporated into the Special Forces structure. Between 1981 and 1990, the Special Forces participated in various unconventional operations, such as Project Barnacle, the Civil Cooperation Office, and other operations conducted by the 7th Medical Battalion Group. In 1991, another transformation took place in the structure of the special forces. The special forces headquarters was dissolved, and a new Reconnaissance Directorate was formed, reporting directly to the Chief of the Army.
