ABOUT 203 BN

​

 

During May 1978 a group of Omega San soldiers were sent to Bushmanland to form a combat unit originally known as 36Bn. Battalions’s soldiers was made up of !Xun from Angola as well as some Dzuwazi (Zu/’hoasi) – a subgroup of the !Kung grouping of San - who lived in Bushmanland and the neighbouring north-western corner of Botswana. 



The 36BN unit was commanded by Major G.J. Coetzee and had its headquarters at Luhebu-North Boesmanland.



The South West Africa Territorial Force (SWATF) that was formed in 1 August 1980, was the forerunner of the Namibian Defence Force and was basically an extension or auxiliary of the South African Defence Force. The SWATF was organised under a Department of Defence for South-West Africa, and was always headed by a prominent SADF general. There was also a joint SWATF/South African committee established for "planning, liaison, and coordination" efforts.  By 1981, SWATF's total strength numbered some 10,100 men.



Operationally, the SWATF was divided into a permanent force infantry component, logistic/administrative divisions, a training wing, and a citizen force, which included at least three motorized infantry battalions. The 'permanent force' comprised mostly volunteer auxiliaries and national servicemen, who formed eight battalions. A militia system was also developed for local security, including over twenty 'area protection units'. By 1987, SWATF had an estimated establishment of 22,000 troops, including additional units of engineers, signals personnel, mounted troops, a parachute battalion, and a commando squadron



The forming of the SWATF resulted in battalion number changes according to their geographical positioning on the border. The prefix 10 pertained to battalions operation to the west of the Kavango River, 20 to the Kavango or central region and 70 to the eastern region. Under this system 36BN was renamed 203 Bn.



In 1980 the 203 battalion headquarters was moved to Tsumkwe and in 1981 to Mangetti Dune. From 1980 203 Bn formed part of the reaction force of the South West Africa Territory Forces.  It was basically a tracking battalion.



In the early 80's there were two  companies A and B , 3 Platoons each , 6 teams, 25 - 30 men, 3 Buffel vehicles , a Reconnaissance Wing, 6 Tracker Groups, 5 or 6 men.

In 1981 Commandant Buitendag became commanding officer. In the same year the unit’s badge was designed with the motto “TI # NHU” (find and destroy).



In 1984 Buitendag was replaced by Cmdt J.D.C. Jankowitz. A mounted unit was formed in 1985 as well as a mounted training centre at M’kata.



In 1987 Cmdt J.L. Pattison became commanding officer. During this time the B Company was involved in late part of Operations Packer and Displace in 1988. 

​

Lt. Col. Scholtz Van Wyk assumed command of 203BN in Dec 1988 and was responsible for the relocation of unit to South Africa as well in  1989 was responsible for the demobilising of the unit for  the preparation of  Namibian independence.