3 Reconnaissance Commando (South Africa)

The 3 Reconnaissance Commando was a South African special forces unit.

3 Reconnaissance Commando
ActiveMay 1976–1980
Disbanded1980
CountrySouth Africa
Allegiance Republic of South Africa
Branch South African Army
TypeSpecial forces
RoleReconnaissance
Part ofSouth African Defence Force

History

It was established on 1 May 1976[1] as an administrative umbrella for various small team operations such as Delta 40 and Barnacle which were the fore-runners of the Civil Co-operation Bureau (CCB). It operated as the covert arm of Special Forces.[2]

In April 1980, a new unit called 7 Reconnaissance Commando was formed. This unit was created to accommodate the Rhodesian soldiers who did not wish to remain in Rhodesia after majority rule. These were primarily Selous Scouts with a smattering of soldiers from other units. 120 of these soldiers and their families were housed on a new base created on the farm Schiettocht, outside Phalaborwa. They formed the nucleus of the new unit.[1]

The name of the unit was changed from 7 to 3 Reconnaissance Commando to avoid confusion with 7 South African Infantry Battalion (7 SAI) which was also located in Phalaborwa.[1] The Truth and Reconciliation Commission does not seem to have picked up on this distinction, getting the two units confused.[2]

In December 1980, 5 Reconnaissance Commando moved from Dukuduku to Schiettocht and on 1 January 1981, joined forces with 3 Reconnaissance Commando to form 5 Reconnaissance Regiment.[1]

Commanding officers

Officers commanding were:[2][1][lower-alpha 1]

Notes
  1. There is some confusion here as Els reports the Amalgamation of 3 and 5 Recce, with 3 Recce commander being Capt Atkinson in 1980. The TRC reports Garth Barrett as the first commanding officer.
  2. Ex Rhodesian

References
  1. Els, Paul. We Fear Naught but God (3rd ed.).
  2. "Volume 2, Chapter 3, Sub-Section 69, Paragraph 52". TRC Final Report. SABC. p. 322. Archived from the original on 24 December 2014. Retrieved 24 December 2014.


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