Molapo Armoured Regiment
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| 2 Anti Tank Regiment Regiment Hendrik Potgieter Regiment Mooirivier Molapo Armour Regiment | |
|---|---|
 SANDF Regiment Mooi River emblem | |
| Active | 1941 to present |
| Country |  South Africa |
| Allegiance | |
| Branch | |
| Type | Armoured Car Regiment |
| Size | One Battalion |
| Part of |
|
| Garrison/HQ | Potchefstroom |
| Motto(s) | Semper Prorsum Ever Forward[1][2] |
| Equipment | Eland 90, Rooikat armoured fighting vehicle |
| Insignia | |
| Beret Colour | Black |
| Armour Squadron emblems |  |
| Armour beret bar circa 1992 |  |
| Abbreviation | MAR |
The Molapo Armour Regiment (formerly Regiment Mooirivier) is a reserve armoured regiment of the South African Army.
History
[edit]Origin
[edit]The regiment was founded in 1941 as 2 Anti Tank Regiment and re-instituted in 1954 by the first vice-rector of the Potchefstroom University, Professor Fanus du Plessis.[3]
During 1955 the regiment was converted to an armoured car regiment and renamed Regiment Hendrik Potgieter. In 1959 the Regiment was renamed Regiment Mooirivier.[2]
Under the SADF
[edit]This unit served in South Africa's various internal conflicts as well as during the South African Border War, including duty in South-West Africa and cross-border raids into Angola between 1975 and 1984. The regiment participated in Operations Askari, Modular, Hooper and Packer. The regiment was equipped with Eland 90s at that stage.
Divisional affiliation
[edit]Under the SANDF
[edit]82 Mechanised Brigade Division was disbanded, and Regiment Mooirivier was transferred to the new armoured 'type' formation, the South African Army Armoured Formation.
Current equipment
[edit]The Regiment currently uses the Rooikat armoured fighting vehicle, equipped with a 76 mm quick-fire gun.
Name Change
[edit]In August 2019, 52 Reserve Force units had their names changed to reflect the diverse military history of South Africa.[4] Regiment Mooirivier became the Molapo Armoured Regiment, and have 3 years to design and implement new regimental insignia.[5]
Regimental Symbols
[edit]- Regimental motto: Semper Prorsum.
Previous dress insignia
[edit]
Leadership
[edit]| From | Honorary Colonel | To
{{Post-member|from-date=n.d.|post-incumbent=vacant|to-date= |
| From | Acting Honorary Colonel | To |
| August 2018 | Colonel Rory Hollins MMM | Present |
| From | Commanding Officer | To |
| April 1954 | Commandant J.S. du Plessis | January 1967 |
| January 1967 | Commandant C.W.A. Steyn | May 1971 |
| May 1971 | Commandant C.H. Heenop | May 1979 |
| December 1979 | Commandant S.G. Greyling | December 1987 |
| January 1988 | Lt Col. W.H. van Zyl | March 2001 |
| May 2001 | Lt Col. T. du P Snyman | May 2005 |
| May 2005 | Lt Col. B.J. de Klerk | January 2014 |
| January 2014 | Lt Col. H.H-P.J. Stark | September 2017 |
| September 2017 | Maj. S.J.B. Brooks | July 2018 |
| July 2018 | Lt Col. S.J.B. Brooks | Present |
| From | Regimental Sergeant Major | To |
| April 1954 | WO1 P.F. Smit | July 1966 |
| July 1966 | WO1 S.W. van der Merwe | March 1993 |
| April 1993 | WO1 W.J. Wagner | Present |
| January 2019 | WO1 U.K. Koaishe | Present |
References
[edit]- ^ "South African Armour News Hub". www.saarmourassociation.co.za. Archived from the original on 5 October 2013.
- ^ a b "Fact File: Regiment Mooi Rivier". defenceweb.co.za. DefenceWeb. 7 January 2011. Retrieved 25 October 2014.
- ^ Tylden, Major G (1954). The Armed Forces of South Africa. Frank Connock Publication No 2. Johannesburg: City of Johannesburg Africana Museum.
- ^ "New Reserve Force unit names". defenceWeb. 7 August 2019. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
- ^ "Renaming process has resulted in an Army structure that truly represents SA". IOL. 16 August 2019. Retrieved 8 January 2020.
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