63 Mechanised Battalion Group

63 Mechanised Battalion Group
SADF 63 Mechanised Battalion unit emblem
Active	1989 – 1994
Country	South Africa
Allegiance	South Africa
Branch	South African Army
Type	Mechanised Battle Group
Part of	South African Infantry Corps
Garrison/HQ	Upington, Eenhana, Omithiya, Oshivello, Lohatla Army Battle School
Nickname(s)	63 Mech, 63 Meg (Afrikaans)
Motto(s)	Semper Splendidior
Equipment	Ratel 20,60,81,90 Rooikat 1991 onwards at ABS G5 howitzer Samil 20,50,100 Kwevoel 100
Engagements	South African Border War Operation Merlyn Operation Agree
Disbanded	1994
Commanders
Notable commanders	Cmdt G.J. Oberholzer Cmdt Izan Leibrand Col Kobus van den Bergh Brig Gen Koos Liebenberg

63 Mechanised Battalion Group was a unit of the South African Infantry Corps; although it was classed as mechanized infantry, it was a combined arms force consisting of infantry, armour and artillery. Together with 61 Mechanised Battalion Group and 62 Mechanised Battalion Group, these units made up 60 Brigade encompassing battlegroup principles.

Insignia

A chain border on a black shield, three lightning bolts, two swords and the number 63.

History

Origins

63 Mechanised Battalion Group was part of 60 Brigade, based at Lohatla Army Battle School^[1] and was formed in 1988 mainly from the operational battalion of 8 South African Infantry Battalion and Ratel 90 Squadrons from 1 Special Service Battalion. Support companies of anti-tank, storm troopers (sapper), 81 mm mortars and their logistical team were also transferred from 1 South African Infantry Battalion in October 1988 to 8 South African Infantry Battalion for integration during a brigade level exercise at Lohatla Army Battle School called Exercise Sweepslag prior to the Group being sent north to South West Africa. The initial commander was "Blok " Liebenberg, a veteran of 61 Mech.

Sector 10 South West Africa

63 Mech was seconded to the command of Sector 10 in northern South West Africa in 1989 for its short operational life of about 12 months.

A combined Brigade level exercise with 61 Mech and 62 Mech occurred in the Oshivello area in January 1989.

Operation Merlyn

63 Mech ^[1] took part in one strategic operation, repulsing a major incursion of SWAPO into Namibia, in April 1989:

On Saturday 1 April, reports were received of Koevoet, a unit of the South West African Police SWAPOL, taking losses from multiple contacts with SWAPO insurgents.
On Sunday 2 April, 63 Mech now with Koevoet, engaged SWAPO insurgents near Oshikango. 1 Casspir was hit with AK and RPG fire.
On Monday 3 April, tracking of the insurgents began. Allouette gunship helicopters assisted in visuals. Some 32 SWAPO were killed or captured.
From Tuesday 4 April, tracking continued around Oshikango.
On Wednesday 5 April, the unit divided into 3 search groups.
By Thursday 6 April, the area around Onamagula was being searched, when a column drove into an ambush. A Ratel was lost. About 16 SWAPO were killed in the ensuing battle.^[2]^[3]^[4]

63 Mech was part of the Sector 10 response to the Cuban buildup and SWAPO incursions, known as the Merlyn Forces in 1989 South West Africa

Operation Agree

63 Mech Group withdrew with the majority of SADF Forces from Namibia on 31 Nov 1989.

63 Mech commemorative medal for South West Africa operations

Lohatla Army Battle School

From 1990 to 1994, elements of 63 Mech's originating units were deployed internally within South Africa.

The Battle Group experience of 63 Mech continued to be used by 8 SAI, 1 SSB and 2 SSB in annual integrated conventional warfare training at Lohatla Army Battle School.

63 Mech Blits 2 exercise certificate, Lohatla Army Battle School 1993

63 Mech elements preparing for joint training with 61 Mech Lohatla Army Battle School 1993, 8SAI Ratel 20s, 60s can be seen with Rooikats from 61 Mech.

Battlegroup Organisation

63 Mech Group's structure was designed to be modified as various tasks required.

Deployment in South West Africa

For the specific engagements in Operation Merlyn and Agree however, the unit included:

Two mechanised infantry companies (A and B Companies) from 8 SAI
One tank squadron (C Squadron) from the School of Armour
One G5 battery (S Battery) from 4 Artillery Regiment
One armoured car squadron (E Squadron) from 1 SSB, Bloemfontein ^[5]
One air defence troop (F Squadron) from 6th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment or 10th Anti-Aircraft Regiment
One engineer troop
One Support Company which included mortar, antitank and assault pioneer platoons

Exercises at Lohatla Army Battle School

From 1990, 63 Mech was activated annually only for joint training exercises where 8 SAI was the lead entity: By 1991, Rooikat armoured cars and Ratel ZT3s were added to these exercises at Lohatla Army Battle School.

Notable exercises included Excalibur 1 and 2 as well as Blits 2.

63 Mech echelon layout 1990s for Exercise Excalibur Lohatla 1991

63 Mech field cap issued to members joining to aid in the new units cohesion

SANDF Rethink

By 1994, the 63 Mech nomenclature was totally abandoned. The battlegroup principles however continue to be utilised in the current SANDF's training program as and when the need arises.

63 Mech honorable discharge certificate

References

1 2 Steenkamp, Willem; Heitman, Helmoed Roemer (2016). Mobility Conquers: The Story Of 61 Mechanised Battalion Group 1978-2005 (Hardcover)|format= requires |url= (help). Helion & Company (published 1 September 2016). ISBN 978-1-911096-52-8.
↑ "Gunner files". Fairviewtzaneen.co.za. Retrieved 2016-01-05.
↑ "Page 1 - index". Fairviewtzaneen.co.za. Retrieved 2016-01-05.
↑ "War In Angola General Forums". Warinangola.com. Retrieved 2016-01-05.
↑ Savides Tony, Background to the deployment of 63 Mech Bn Gp,September 2016

Steenkamp, Willem; Heitman, Helmoed Roemer (2016). Mobility Conquers: The Story Of 61 Mechanised Battalion Group 1978-2005 (Hardcover)|format= requires |url= (help). Helion & Company (published 1 September 2016). ISBN 978-1-911096-52-8.
Scholtz, Leopold (2013). The SADF in the Border War 1966-1989 (Paperback). Cape Town: Tafelberg. p. 544. ISBN 9780624054108. Retrieved 22 September 2016.
OOSTHUIZEN, Gerhard J.J. (November 2014). "THE SOUTH AFRICAN DEFENCE FORCE AND OPERATION HOOPER, SOUTHEAST ANGOLA, DECEMBER 1987 TO MARCH 1988". Scientia Militaria - South African Journal of Military Studies. 42 (2). doi:10.5787/42-2-1095. ISSN 2224-0020. Retrieved 22 September 2016.
Davies, R. Mark. South African Forces in the Border War (Angola and South West Africa) 1980 to 1989 (pdf). Retrieved 21 September 2016.
de Vries, Roland (2015-11-13). "THE INFLUENCE OF THE RATEL INFANTRY FIGHTING VEHICLE ON MOBILE WARFARE IN SOUTHERN AFRICA". Scientia Militaria - South African Journal of Military Studies. 43 (2). doi:10.5787/43-2-1129. ISSN 2224-0020. Retrieved 22 September 2016. ^{(pp174–186)}
Serfontein C (Brig); drafted in July 1990, Namibie Operasie Merlyn. Die laaste geveg en finale ontrekking van die SA Weermag aan Namibie
52 CHARLIE A Ratel 90 Gunner’s Story Recollections of 1989 as recalled in 2010 Jacques Myburgh (86270568BG Trooper J. Myburgh, 1 SSB and 63 Mech Bn Gp) 2014
Peter Stiff, Nine Days of War, Namibia - before, during and after, Lemur Books, RSA, 1989, Hardback, 316 pp, 42 b/w plates.

South African Army Units

Department of Defence, South African National Defence Force, South African Army

Divisions and Brigades

Brigades	43 South African Brigade 44 Parachute Brigade 46 South African Brigade

Armoured Formation (SAAAF)

Training	School of Armour

Tank	Regular 1 South African Tank Regiment Reserve Pretoria Regiment Natal Mounted Rifles Regiment President Steyn

Armoured Car	Regular 1 Special Service Battalion Reserve Umvoti Mounted Rifles Regiment Oranjerivier Regiment Mooirivier Light Horse Regiment

Infantry Formation (SAAIF)

Training	South African Infantry School

Parachute Infantry	Regular 44 Para 1 Para 44 Pathfinders 13 Signal Squadron 18 Light Regiment 44 Medical Task Group 101 Air Supply Unit SAOSC 44 Training Wing Parachute Packing Wing Reserve 2 Para 3 Para

Air Assault Infantry	Regular 6 SAI Reserve First City Regiment Prince Alfred's Guard

Seaborne Infantry	Regular 9 SAI Reserve Cape Town Rifles ("Duke's")

Light Infantry	Regular 21 SAI Reserve Rand Light Infantry Regiment Oos Rand Regiment Paul Kruger

Mechanised Infantry	Regular 1 SAI 8 SAI Reserve Regiment De La Rey Regiment Northern Transvaal Cape Town Highlanders Regiment Western Province Witwatersrand Rifles

Motorised Infantry	Regular 2 SAI 4 SAI 5 SAI 7 SAI 10 SAI 14 SAI 15 SAI 121 SAI Reserve Regiment Botha Regiment Christiaan Beyers Johannesburg Regiment South African Irish Transvaal Scottish Tshwane Regiment Buffalo Volunteer Regiment Durban Regiment Durban Light Infantry Kimberly Regiment Natal Carbineers Regiment Bloemspruit Regiment Piet Retief

Artillery Formation

Training	School of Artillery (South Africa)

Regular	HQ Artillery Mobilisation Regiment 4 Artillery Regiment

Reserve	Cape Field Artillery Natal Field Artillery Transvaal Horse Artillery Regiment Potchefstroom Universiteit Transvaalse Staatsartillerie Vrystaatse Artillerie Regiment Pretoria Highlanders 18 Light Regiment

Air Defence Artillery Formation

Training	School of Air Defence Artillery (South Africa)

Regular	HQ 6 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment 10 Anti-Aircraft Regiment 44 Parachute Anti-Aircraft Regiment

Reserve	Cape Garrison Artillery Regiment Vaalriver Regiment Oos Transvaal 7 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment (1969–97) Regiment Overvaal

Engineer Formation

Training	South African Army Engineer School

Regular	HQ 2 Field Engineer Regiment 35 Engineer Support Regiment 1 Construction Regiment Engineer Terrain Intelligence Unit

Reserve	3 Field Engineer Regiment 19 Field Engineer Regiment 44 Parachute Engineer Regiment

Training Formation

3 SAI (Training Depot)
SAACTC
Army Gymnasium
Army College
de Brug Training Area
Wallmannsthal Training Area

Support Formation

Army Support Bases (Eastern Cape, Johannesburg, Kimberley, KZN, Limpopo, Potcheftstroom, Western Cape, Mpumalanga)
Mobilisation Centre
Main Ordnance Depot
National Ceremonial Guard
15 Maint Unit
Other Maintenance Units
37 Field Workshop SAOSC
Other Field Workshops

Signals Formation

Regular	1 Sig Regt 2 Sig Regt 3 Sig Regt 4 Sig Regt 5 Sig Regt

Reserve	6 Signal Regt 7 Signal Group 11 Field Postal Unit 71 Signals Unit 84 Sigs Unit

Disbanded Units

Commands	Eastern Province Command (Port Elizabeth) Natal Command Northern Transvaal Command Northern Cape Command Orange Free State Command (Bloemfontein) Western Province Command (Cape Town) West Transvaal Command Witwatersrand Command (Johannesburg) Far North Command

Corps	I South African Corps Cape Corps

Divisions	1st South African Infantry Division 2nd South African Division 6th South African Armoured Division 7th South African Infantry Division 8th South African Armoured Division 9th South African Division 10 South African Division (Operation Prone)

Brigades	16 Brigade (see 81 Armoured Brigade) 17 Brigade (see 71 Motorised Brigade) 18 Brigade (see 72 Motorised Brigade) 19 Brigade (see 82 Mechanised Brigade) 20 Brigade 60 Brigade (Battlegroups HQ Lohatla) 71 Motorised Brigade 72 Motorised Brigade 73 Motorised Brigade 74 Brigade (see 8th Armoured Division) 75 Brigade (see 9th Division) 81 Armoured Brigade 82 Mechanised Brigade 83 Brigade (planned but never existed) 84 Motorised Brigade 10 Artillery Brigade Other brigades

Battlegroups	Combat Group Juliet 61 Mech 62 Mech 63 Mech

Regiments	Regiment Algoa Bay Regiment Dan Pienaar Regiment De Wet Regiment Groot Karoo Regiment Highveld Regiment Langenhoven Regiment Limpopo Regiment Louw Wepener/Oos Vrystaat Regiment Molopo Regiment North East Cape Regiment North Natal Regiment Port Natal Regiment Potchefstroom University Regiment Pretoria University Regiment Pretorius Regiment Springs Regiment Skoonspruit Regiment University of the Free State Regiment Vaal River Regiment Vanderbiljpark Regiment Vrystaat 6 Field Artillery Regiment 7 Medium Artillery Regiment 14 Field Artillery Regiment 19 Rocket Regiment 25 Field Artillery 26 Field Artillery 10 Armoured Squadron 5 Forward Air Delivery Squadron SA Army Troop Information Unit

Battalions	32 Battalion SSB 2 Special Service Battalion 11 SAI 12 SAI 13 SAI 111 Battalion 112 Battalion 113 Battalion 115 Battalion 116 Battalion 117 Battalion 121 Battalion 151 Battalion

Military Areas	Walvis Bay Military Area Soutpansberg Military Area

Commando System	South African Commando System

State Presidents Guard	State Presidents Guard

SWATF	Regular Infantry Battalions 31/201 Battalion 33/701 Battalion 34/202 Battalion 35/101 Battalion 301 Battalion 36/203 Battalion 37/102 Battalion 41/911 Battalion/Regiment Windhoek 912 Battalion/Regiment Erongo 913 Battalion/Regiment Namutoni Modular Infantry Battalions 51 Battalion 52 Battalion 53 Battalion 54 Battalion 55 Battalion SWATF Brigade 91 Reaction Force Brigade Support Structures Logistics Brigade SWA Mil School Special Forces 1 SWA Specialist Unit 2 SWA Specialist Unit 1 SWA Parachute Battalion Air Component 1 SWA Commando Squadron

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 11/11/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.