South-West African Territorial Force

South-West African Territorial Force
SWATF Insignia
Active	1977–1989
Country	South-West Africa
Branch	South African Defence Force
Size	10,100 (1981) 22,000 (1987)
Part of	Department of Defence for South-West Africa
Garrison/HQ	Windhoek, South-West Africa

Namibia, with a long Atlantic coastline, borders Angola, Botswana, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe

The South-West African Territorial Force (SWATF) was an auxiliary arm of the South African Defence Force and comprised the armed forces of South-West Africa (now Namibia) from 1977 to 1989. It emerged as a product of South Africa's political control of the territory which was granted to the former as a League of Nations mandate following World War I.

History and Background

Further information: South African Border War and Namibian War of Independence

From 1966 until 1989, South African security forces waged a long and bitter counterinsurgency conflict against indigenous nationalists in what was then South-West Africa, represented by the Marxist South-West African People's Organisation (SWAPO). As the guerrilla war intensified, however, it became clear that civilian police alone were not enough to cope with SWAPO incursions and escalating unrest. Consequently, military units were deployed for the first time; 60,000 South African combat troops were engaged in South-West Africa by the late 1970s.

As part of a general policy of military and social reform, Pretoria initiated the establishment of local defence and police agencies for its protectorate beginning in 1977. The new South West African Territorial Force was officially created on 1 August 1980, from South-West African citizens already serving with the South African Defence Force. For all practical purposes, SWATF remained firmly integrated into existing SADF command structures. Its primary goal was protection of the territory of SWA from SWAPO incursions.

Organisation

The South West African Territorial Force was organised under a Department of Defence for South-West Africa, and was always headed by a SADF general. There was also a joint SWATF/SADF committee established for "planning, liaison, and coordination" efforts. By 1981, SWATF's total strength numbered some 10,100 men, organised into both tribal-based battalions (including separate units for Ovambo, Herero, and Coloured ethnic groups) and multiethnic units partially manned by at least 10,000 white South-West African personnel.

Operationally, the SWATF was divided into a permanent force infantry component, logistic/administrative divisions, a training wing, and a citizen force, which included at least three motorised infantry battalions. The 'permanent force' comprised mostly volunteer auxiliaries and national servicemen, who formed eight battalions. A militia system was also developed for local security, including over twenty 'area protection units'.

By 1987, SWATF had an estimated establishment of 22,000 troops, including additional units of engineers, signals personnel, mounted troops, a parachute battalion, and a commando squadron.

SWATF Commanders

• 1980 – 9 November 1983 – Major-general Charles Lloyd
• 9 November 1983 – 23 January 1987 – Major-general Georg Meiring SSA SD SM MMM
• 23 January 1987 – 1989 – Major-general Willie Meyer

Military Units

• SWATF General Headquarters
• Eight full-time battalions
  • 31 Bushman Battalion (became 201 Battalion) HQ at Omega Base
  • 33 Eastern Caprivi Battalion (became 701 Battalion)
  • 34 Kavangoland Battalion (202 Battalion)
  • 35 Ovamboland Battalion (become 101 Battalion) The Quick reaction force.
  • 36 Bushman Battalion (became 203 Battalion)
  • 37 Kaokoland Battalion (became 102 Battalion)
  • 41 Multi-ethnic Regiment Windhoek (became 911 Battalion) (As 911 Battalion – it became known as "Swing Force" due to its ability to operate as a conventional unit or as a Counter-insurgency (COIN) unit.
• 61 Reaction Force Brigade – The reaction force had a motorised brigade composed of two (later three) infantry battalions, an armoured car regiment, and an artillery battalion.
• 911 Battalion, recruited from South-West Africa at large and deployed predominantly as a reserve force. Included an infantry element, a mechanised contingent, artillery, and a regiment of Eland armoured cars. The unit was never mobilised en masse.
• Logistics Brigade
• SWA Military School at Okahandja for officers and NCOs
• 1 SWA Specialist Unit at Otavi – contains trackers, dogs, horses and dirtbikes.
• Other Field Artillery units were deployed in the Operational area (Ruacana) as well.

South West African Sectors

Sector 10

(Kaokoland and Owambo) - HQ Oshakati

Consisted of four modular battalions - 51 at Ruacana, 52 at Oshakati, 53 at Ondangwa and 54 at Eenhana. SWATF 101 Bn at Ondangwa and 102 Bn at Opuwa. 61 Mechanised Battalion at Omuthiya. 25 Engineering Squadron at Oshakati, 5 Maintenance Unit at Ondangwa and a training unit at Oshivelo.

Sector 20

(Kavango and Western Caprivi) - HQ Rundu

55 Bn at Nepara. 32 Bn at Buffalo. SWATF 201 Bn at Omega base, 202 Bn at Rundu and 203 Bn at Mangeti.

Sector 30

HQ Otjiwarongo (Citadel).

301 Bn at Otjiwarongo. SWATF Otjiwarongo AME (Area Force Unit - Area Mag Eenheid), Outjo AME, Grootfontein AME, Tsumeb AME, Herreroland AME, Ethosa AME, Otavi AME, Damaraland AME and UIS PL. Its area of responsibility was likewise the Grootfontein, Tsumeb, Otavi, Outjo, Otjiwarongo, Hereroland and Damaraland regions.

Sector 40

HQ Windhoek.

911 Bn. 1 SWA PRO Unit. SWATF Alte Feste AME, Khomas AME, Hochl AME, Okahandja AME, Omaruru AME, Swakopmund AME, Rehoboth AME, Katatura AME and Khomasdal AME.

Sector 50

HQ Gobabis.

SWATF Aranos AME, Auob AME, Bo-Nossob AME, Aminius PL, Gobabis AME, Rietfont AME, Mariental AME and Maltahohe AME.

Sector 60

HQ Keetmanshoop.

SWATF Karasburg AME, Keetmanshop AME, Hoop AME, Bethanien AME, Oranjemund AME, Luderitz AME and Namaland AME.

Sector 70

(Eastern Caprivi) - HQ Mpacha

SWATF 701 Bn at Mpacha with attached SWATF armoured car and artillery battery. SA Navy Marine Company for river patrols.

SWATF Rank Structure

The rank structure of the SWATF was identical to that of the SADF. The insignia differed considerably however.

• Enlisted and NCO ranks:
  • Private
  • Lance-corporal
  • Corporal
  • Sergeant
  • Staff-sergeant
  • Sergeant-Major Class 2
  • Sergeant-Major Class 1
  • Regimental Sergeant-Major
  • Formation Sergeant-Major
  • Sergeant-Major of the Territorial Force
• Officer ranks:
  • Second lieutenant
  • First lieutenant
  • Captain
  • Major
  • Commandant
  • Colonel
  • Brigadier
  • Major-General

Further reading

• Overview of the rank insignia used by SWATF
• Military operations carried out by SWATF from 1975 up to its disbandment

See also

• SWAPOL
• Koevoet