General Botha Regiment

The General Botha Regiment (formerly Regiment Botha) is a reserve infantry regiment of the South African Army. The Regiment was named after General Louis Botha, the first prime minister of South Africa.

Regiment Botha General Botha Regiment
SANDF Regiment Botha emblem
Active	1 April 1934 to present
Country	South Africa
Allegiance	Republic of South Africa  Republic of South Africa
Branch	South African Army  South African Army
Type	Infantry
Role	Motorised Infantry
Size	One Battalion
Part of	South African Infantry Formation Army Conventional Reserve
Garrison/HQ	Barberton, Mpumalanga
Motto(s)	Altyd gereed (Always ready)
Anniversaries	1 April 1934
Insignia
Company level Insignia
SA Motorised Infantry beret bar circa 1992	SA Motorised Infantry beret bar
Abbreviation	GBR

History

The regiment was formed in Ermelo, Mpumalanga on 1 April 1934, as part of an expansion of the Army's infantry branch.[1]

World War 2

A second battalion was formed on the outbreak of World War II in 1939.[1] The first battalion did not serve in the war, but the second fought in the North Africa campaign in 1941 and 1942 as part of the 1st Infantry Division. In 1943, it was temporarily amalgamated with Regiment President Steyn.[1][2]

Sister Battalion

The two battalions separated after the war, and in 1951 the second battalion was renamed Regiment Christiaan Beyers.[1] From 1960 to 1966, Regiment Botha was called Regiment Pongola.

SANDF's Motorised Infantry

SANDF’s Motorised Infantry is transported mostly by Samil trucks, Mamba APC’s or other un-protected motor vehicles. Samil 20, 50 and 100 trucks transport soldiers, towing guns, and carrying equipment and supplies. Samil trucks are all-wheel drive, in order to have vehicles that function reliably in extremes of weather and terrain. Motorised infantry have an advantage in mobility allowing them to move to critical sectors of the battlefield faster, allowing better response to enemy movements, as well as the ability to outmaneuver the enemy.

Name changed

In August 2019, 52 Reserve Force units had their names changed to reflect the diverse military history of South Africa.[3] Regiment Botha had its title amended to General Botha Regiment, and have 3 years to design and implement new regimental insignia.[4]

Leadership

Leadership

From	Honorary Colonel	To
From	Officer Commanding	To
From	Regimental Sergeants Major	To

Insignia

Previous Dress Insignia

SADF era Regiment Botha insignia

Current Dress Insignia

SANDF era Infantry Formation insignia

References

1. "Regiment Botha". SANDF Reserve Force Home. Retrieved 17 March 2014.
2. Kleynhans E.P. ARMOURED WARFARE, THE SOUTH AFRICAN EXPERIENCE IN EAST AFRICA, 1940-1941 Faculty of Military Science, Stellenbosch University, 2014
3. "New Reserve Force unit names". defenceWeb. 7 August 2019. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
4. "Renaming process has resulted in an Army structure that truly represents SA". IOL. 16 August 2019. Retrieved 8 January 2020.