Natal Field Artillery

Natal Field Artillery
Active September 1862 to present
Country  South Africa
Allegiance
Branch
Type Reserve artillery
Role Medium (self propelled) Artillery (G6)
Part of South African Army Artillery Formation
Army Conventional Reserve
Garrison/HQ Lord's Grounds, Durban 29°51′1.7454″S 31°1′22.08″E / 29.850484833°S 31.0228000°E / -29.850484833; 31.0228000Coordinates: 29°51′1.7454″S 31°1′22.08″E / 29.850484833°S 31.0228000°E / -29.850484833; 31.0228000
Motto(s) Armis Arte Audacia
(With Arms, Skill and Bravery)
Equipment GV6 155 mm self-propelled howitzer
Engagements Second Anglo-Boer War
World War I
World War II
South African Border War
Battle honours
Battle Honours
Awarded
South West Africa 1915
Commanders
Current
commander
Major Craig Nel
Insignia
Collar Badge Bursting grenade with seven flames
Beret Colour Oxford Blue
Artillery Battery Emblems
Artillery Beret Bar circa 1992

The Natal Field Artillery (usually abbreviated as NFA) is an artillery regiment of the South African Army. As a reserve unit, it has a status roughly equivalent to that of a British Army Reserve or United States Army National Guard unit. It is part of the South African Army Artillery Formation.

History

Memorial plaque commemorating the regiment's participation in the Battle of Elandslaagte

The Natal Field Artillery was raised in 1862 as part of the Durban Volunteer Guard, and later became a unit in its own right.[1]

The regiment took part in numerous military actions, including:

From 1913 to 1926, the NFA was designated the 7th Citizen Battery (NFA). From 1926 to 1932, it was the 2nd Citizen Battery (NFA). During World War II it was the 2nd Field Regiment (NFA).

From 1960 to 1968, the regiment was affiliated to the University of Natal, and was called the Natal University Regiment.

Affiliated Division

Leadership

Leadership
From Honourary Colonel To
From Commanding Officer To
1981 Cmdt R. Lovell-Greene MMM JCD 1989
n.d. Maj Craig Nel Present
From Regimental Sergeants Major To
n.d. MWO James Rumble Present

Regimental Symbols

The NFA just after firing the salute at the Gunner's Memorial Service in Durban 2014

Battle honours

Although artillery units in the South African Army do not usually receive battle honours, the NFA was awarded the honour

Freedom of the City

The NFA just after firing the salute at the Gunner's Memorial Service in Durban 2014

The Regiment was awarded the Freedom of Durban on 28 September 1962,[6] the Freedom of Pietermaritzburg on 29 September 1962 and the Freedom of eMnambithi / Ladysmith on 2 July 2011.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 "Natal Field Artillery" (PDF). Reserve Force Division. South African Department of Defence. Retrieved 25 September 2014.
  2. Tennant, Sir Iain. "Events in North Africa - June 1942". The Second World War Experience Center. Retrieved 6 February 2015. An extract from his memoirs
  3. Mitcham, S. (2007). Rommel's Lieutenants: The Men who Served the Desert Fox, France, 1940. Westport, Conn.: Praeger Security International. OCLC 237132754.
  4. "The South African Military History Society Newsletter". January 2012. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  5. Greene, J; Massignani, A. (1994). Rommel's North Africa Campaign: September 1940-november 1942. Conshohocken, PA: Combined Books. OCLC 722092034.
  6. Gillings, Ken (6 September 2012). "Regiment has served the nation". Daily News. Independent Online. Retrieved 24 September 2014.
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