Johannesburg Regiment
Encyclopedia
The Johannesburg Regiment is an infantry
regiment
of the South African Army
. As a reserve unit, it has a status roughly equivalent to that of a British
Territorial Army or United States
Army National Guard
unit.
The Regiment mobilised for the first time in 1960 and saw initial service in Bloemfontein, Vereeniging and Sasolburg.
Subsequent successes include amongst others the following operations/ exercises:
Madimbo, Savanah, Caterpillar, Protea, Thunder Chariot, Ops Eardrum, Ops Paal, Excalibur 1&2, Eagle Hill, Kwiksilwer, Vincity and Southern Cross.
In November 1964 the City Council presented the Regiment with their Colours and six years later bestowed on it the honour of Freedom of Entrance to the city of Johannesburg. This was largely due to the efforts of Councillor J. D. Opperman who became the unit’s Honorary Colonel in 1979 until he died on 20th April 2000. The Unit Colours were officially handed over on 26 February 1966. National Colours were awarded to the Unit on 5 October 1991, and laid up in April 1994.
During the seventies and eighties the Regiment had an effective strength of 2000 plus members. Members of this Regiment have always been in demand at other Regiments, and throughout the years it has provided many sister Regiments with leader group. This includes a number of Regimental Sergeant Major and Officer Commanding posts.
Current command Structure:
a. Honorary Colonel : Col John Wilson
b. Chaplain : Rev. Gideon du Toit
c. RSM : WO1 Jan Oosthuisen
d. Second- in Command : Maj. Louis Malekoane
e. Officer Commanding : Lt. Col. Justus Immelman
The Association hosts a Semi Formal dinner annually, and the regiment hosts a formal dinner annually. An annual golf day fund raiser rounds off the ongoing activities.
The year concludes at a year end camp for all members and families. This combines a planning session and closing down function, and has been a Unit tradition for 20 years.
Past Honorary Colonels
1. Col JSK Brink
2. Col JD Opperman.
Past Commanding Officers
1. Cmdt. B Pretorius
2. Cmdt. D Pretorius
3. Cmdt. J Swart
4. Cmdt. JH Swanepoel
5. Cmdt L Harding
6. Lt. Col H van Staden
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
regiment
Regiment
A regiment is a major tactical military unit, composed of variable numbers of batteries, squadrons or battalions, commanded by a colonel or lieutenant colonel...
of the South African Army
South African Army
The South African Army is the army of South Africa, first formed after the Union of South Africa was created in 1910.The South African military evolved within the tradition of frontier warfare fought by commando forces, reinforced by the Afrikaners' historical distrust of large standing armies...
. As a reserve unit, it has a status roughly equivalent to that of a British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
Territorial Army or United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Army National Guard
Army National Guard
Established under Title 10 and Title 32 of the U.S. Code, the Army National Guard is part of the National Guard and is divided up into subordinate units stationed in each of the 50 states, three territories and the District of Columbia operating under their respective governors...
unit.
History
Johannesburg Regiment has been in existence since 1st July 1951. At the time it was an Artillery unit known as 8 Field Regiment. Colonel J. S. K. Brink was the Regiment’s first commanding officer and following his retirement he became its honorary colonel. In February 1960, 8 Field Regiment disbanded and the unit officially became known as Johannesburg Regiment and was re mustered as an Infantry Regiment.The Regiment mobilised for the first time in 1960 and saw initial service in Bloemfontein, Vereeniging and Sasolburg.
Subsequent successes include amongst others the following operations/ exercises:
Madimbo, Savanah, Caterpillar, Protea, Thunder Chariot, Ops Eardrum, Ops Paal, Excalibur 1&2, Eagle Hill, Kwiksilwer, Vincity and Southern Cross.
In November 1964 the City Council presented the Regiment with their Colours and six years later bestowed on it the honour of Freedom of Entrance to the city of Johannesburg. This was largely due to the efforts of Councillor J. D. Opperman who became the unit’s Honorary Colonel in 1979 until he died on 20th April 2000. The Unit Colours were officially handed over on 26 February 1966. National Colours were awarded to the Unit on 5 October 1991, and laid up in April 1994.
During the seventies and eighties the Regiment had an effective strength of 2000 plus members. Members of this Regiment have always been in demand at other Regiments, and throughout the years it has provided many sister Regiments with leader group. This includes a number of Regimental Sergeant Major and Officer Commanding posts.
Current command Structure:
a. Honorary Colonel : Col John Wilson
b. Chaplain : Rev. Gideon du Toit
c. RSM : WO1 Jan Oosthuisen
d. Second- in Command : Maj. Louis Malekoane
e. Officer Commanding : Lt. Col. Justus Immelman
Unit strengths
The Regiment is an active Regiment, with strong ties between the Unit, Sister Regiments and Higher HQ. The current senior structure is a well drilled, competent unit, and all incumbents have committed to staying on until proper succession planning can kick in. Currently the unit is actively recruiting and training. The unit is supported by a strong, active Association and a widespread network of old boys. The Unit is also settled in proper Headquarters, and has the eservices of a permanent clerical assistant.Opportunities
The current leader group, although they are highly skilled and qualified, is not in the ideal age group any more, and there is a current gap in the sense that there is no supply of future leaders with potential. Distances to support structures and training areas makes it difficult to be operate effectively, especially as the manpower and budget to perform these functions is also limited.General activities
The unit hosts a parade annually on the first Sunday in March. Traditionally this takes place in Johannesburg, as the Regiment has Freedom of Entry to the City. This parade also serves to commemorate the birthday of the Regiment, and is dedicated to the memory of all members of the regiment that has paid the highest price in defence of our country. A medal parade is also planned for annually, but is only held when applicable. The Regiment also participated in the annual “Poppy Day” parade in November. This event is always well supported by the regiment, as well as the Association.The Association hosts a Semi Formal dinner annually, and the regiment hosts a formal dinner annually. An annual golf day fund raiser rounds off the ongoing activities.
The year concludes at a year end camp for all members and families. This combines a planning session and closing down function, and has been a Unit tradition for 20 years.
Past Honorary Colonels
1. Col JSK Brink
2. Col JD Opperman.
Past Commanding Officers
1. Cmdt. B Pretorius
2. Cmdt. D Pretorius
3. Cmdt. J Swart
4. Cmdt. JH Swanepoel
5. Cmdt L Harding
6. Lt. Col H van Staden