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1 Parachute Battalion

Battalion
South African Army Formed: 1961-04-01 91 records in this database

1 Parachute Battalion (motto Ex alto vincimus — “We conquer from above”) is the only full-time paratroop unit of the South African Army, nicknamed the Parabats. It was raised at Tempe, Bloemfontein on 1 April 1961. In 1960 fifteen SADF volunteers were sent to England, to RAF Abingdon — a Royal Air Force station in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom, not a South African Air Force base — mostly to train as parachute instructors and packers; one SAAF pilot trained there in dropping paratroopers. Together with 2 Mobile Watch they formed the nucleus of the battalion. Members were the first South African Army soldiers in action after the Second World War, with the South African Police against insurgents in South West Africa in 1966, and the battalion served throughout the Border War (1966–1989); its best-known action is the Battle of Cassinga in 1978. It was the first battalion of 44 Parachute Brigade from 1978 until the brigade was downsized to 44 Parachute Regiment in 1999. Garrison remains Tempe. Still active under the SANDF.

Wikipedia

Part of

Formation Type Relationship Dates
Infantry Formation (SAAIF) — 44 Parachute Regiment — Regular Category organic
army-oob:infantry
44 Parachute Brigade Brigade organic 1978-01-01 – 1999-12-31
1/2/3/4 Parachute Battalion sat under 44 Parachute Brigade (formed 1978) until the brigade was redesignated 44 Parachute Regiment.
44 Parachute Regiment Regiment organic 2000-01-01
44 Parachute Brigade redesignated 44 Parachute Regiment; the numbered parachute battalions remained its battalions.

Eras

Dates Force Role Status
1961-04-01 – 1994-04-26 SADF Airborne light infantry (paratroops) Regular Force
Raised 1 April 1961 at Tempe. First battalion of 44 Parachute Brigade from 1978. Source
1994-04-27 SANDF Airborne light infantry (paratroops) Regular Force
Still the SANDF’s only full-time parachute battalion. 44 Parachute Brigade was downsized to 44 Parachute Regiment in 1999. Source

Personnel

# Last Name First Name Initials Rank Regiment Unit Date of Death
32057 Mpotle Serabele Solomon S S Rifleman 44 Parachute Regiment 1 Parachute Battalion 1995-11-02
32061 Msenga Khomotso Paul K P Rifleman Unit 44 1 Parachute Battalion 2013-03-23
32062 Msibi Khomotso Paul D M Corporal SA Army 1 Parachute Battalion 1998-10-09
32069 Msuthwana Sipho Brian J M Rifleman 44 Parachute Regiment 1 Parachute Battalion 1997-01-01
32070 Mtengwane Sambonga S Lance Corporal 44 Parachute Regiment 1 Parachute Battalion 1998-09-22
32071 Mthembu Sambonga H M Corporal 1 Parachute Battalion 1998-12-27
32133 Mxhosana Jim Zamani J Z Rifleman Unit 44 1 Parachute Battalion 2013-03-23
32311 Nothnagel Johan J Rifleman 1 Parachute Battalion Cfs 1980-12-01
32314 Nqaleka Vusumzi Joseph V J Rifleman Unit 44 1 Parachute Battalion 2013-03-23
32374 Olivier Nico Smith N S Corporal 1 Parachute Battalion "D" Coy. 1987-10-31
37068 Oosthuizen Gerhardus Marthinus G M Detective Sergeant South African Police 1 Parachute Battalion 1974-09-26
37069 Oosthuizen Jacobus Christoffel J C Detective Constable South African Police 1 Parachute Battalion 1945-05-09
37070 Oosthuizen Joseph Theodorus J T Constable South African Police 1 Parachute Battalion 1936-07-10
37071 Oosthuizen Lourence C L C Constable South African Police 1 Parachute Battalion 1992-04-02
37072 Oosthuizen Paul Stephanus P S Constable South African Police 1 Parachute Battalion 1949-05-23
37073 Oosthuizen Paul Stephanus R A S Captain South African Police 1 Parachute Battalion 1999-12-07
32478 Pettit Eaun Andrew Chapman E A C Lance Corporal 1 Parachute Battalion H Company 1981-04-02
32495 Phirimana Thabiso Anthon T A Rifleman Unit 44 1 Parachute Battalion 2013-03-23
32517 Pieterse Petrus Jacobus P J Rifleman 1 Parachute Battalion 84 Technical Stores Depot 1981-03-28
48587 Schoeman Neville N Rifleman 1 Parachute Battalion 1 Parachute Battalion 1981-08-17
32853 Seakamela Mokgadi Darius M D Corporal Unit 44 1 Parachute Battalion 2013-03-23
32856 Seekoei Matthew Damon M D Rifleman 44 Parachute Regiment 1 Parachute Battalion 1997-01-01
32857 Seeman De Barcaye Elizabeth Hilda Muriel E H M Major Women's Royal Army Corps 1 Parachute Battalion 1958-02-20
33029 Smuts Nicolaas Willem N W Rifleman 1 Parachute Battalion 1 Parachute Battalion 1985-11-05
48783 Spangenberg W J J Rifleman 44 Parachute Regiment 1 Parachute Battalion 1989-10-27
33054 Spence Don Andries D A Rifleman 1 Parachute Battalion "B" Coy. 1982-09-24
33131 Storm Hans Jurie H J Rifleman 1 Parachute Battalion 1982-05-01
33132 Storrier Richard Ronald R R South African Army 1 Parachute Battalion 1982-01-15
33215 Taylor Christoffel Petrus C P Second Lieutenant 1 Parachute Battalion RAF Finningley 1981-06-02
33280 Thulo Maleisane Samuel M S Rifleman Unit 44 1 Parachute Battalion 2013-03-23
33337 Tsheke Lucas Mohapi L M Lance Corporal Unit 44 1 Parachute Battalion 2013-03-23
33338 Tshewu Phillip Tumisang P T Rifleman 44 Parachute Regiment 1 Parachute Battalion 1998-09-22
48785 Uitenweerde M G Lance Corporal 44 Parachute Regiment 1 Parachute Battalion 1992-03-14
39007 Van Den Heever Robert John De Wet R J D Lance Corporal 1 Parachute Battalion 1977-08-21
33476 Van Der Nest Cornelis Frederik C F Rifleman 1 Parachute Battalion 1 Parachute Battalion 1978-08-12
33506 Van Dyk Pieter Leon H P L H Rifleman 1 Parachute Battalion AFB Langebaanweg 1988-03-11
33579 Van Rooyen Dirk Willem D W Rifleman 1 Parachute Battalion "D" Coy. 1987-10-31
33679 Venter Daniel Stephanus D S Rifleman 1 Parachute Battalion 84 Signals Unit 1984-04-07
33811 Watts Steven Warwick S W Rifleman 1 Parachute Battalion 1 Parachute Battalion 1981-08-17
33840 Wessels Louis Theodorus Hermanus L T H Sergeant 1 Parachute Battalion 85 Combat Flying School 1981-01-15
33953 Zumane Abram Welile A W Rifleman 44 Parachute Regiment 1 Parachute Battalion 1997-01-01