Территориальные силы Юго-Западной Африки: История и структура (Territorial Forces of South West Africa: History and Structure)

The South West Africa Territorial Force (SWATF) was an auxiliary arm of the South African Defence Force (SADF) and comprised the armed forces of South West Africa (now Namibia) from 1977 to 1989. It emerged as a product of South Africa's political control of the territory which was granted to the former as a League of Nations mandate following World War I.

From 1966 until 1989, South African security forces waged a long and bitter counterinsurgency conflict against indigenous nationalists in what was then South West Africa, represented by the Marxist South West African People's Organisation (SWAPO) and its military wing, the People's Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN). As the guerrilla war intensified, however, it became clear that the local civilian police alone were not enough to cope with SWAPO/PLAN incursions and escalating unrest. Consequently, military units were deployed for the first time; 60,000 South African combat troops were engaged in South West Africa by the late 1970s.

As part of a general policy of military and social reform, Pretoria initiated the establishment of local defence and police agencies for its protectorate beginning in 1977. Operationally, the SWATF was further divided into a Permanent Force infantry component, logistic/administrative divisions, a training wing, and a Citizen Force, which included at least three motorised infantry battalions. white South West African personnel. By 1987, SWATF had an estimated 22,000 troops, including additional units of engineers, signals personnel, mounted troops, a parachute battalion, and a commando squadron.

A school cadet program similar to that in South Africa was developed for South West Africa. Primarily all SWATF members received their initial training at 2 SA Infantry Battalion at Walvis Bay, (considered South African territory at that stage). Advanced training, NCOs and Officer development however occurred at the SWA Military School at Okhandja.

For all practical purposes, SWATF remained firmly integrated into existing SADF command structures. The SWATF was placed under the control of the Department of Defence for South West Africa and was always headed by a SADF general. There was also a joint SWATF/SADF committee established for "planning, liaison, and coordination" efforts.

Although SWATF relied heavily on South Africa's special forces, over time it developed its own capability. 1 SWA Recon Regiment: started out as a sub unit under the command of the Commanding General SWATF in 1982, staffed mainly by ex South African operators. Front line Recon Wings: most front line battalions, such as 31, 36 and 101 also had their own Recon Wings. 1 SWA Specialist Unit: at Otavi – containing trackers, dogs, horses and dirt bikes. By 1984, 1 SWA SPES was based at Omaruku and at Omathoni together with 32 Battalion's Recce Wing. 1 SWA Parachute Battalion: By 1987, 1 SWA Parachute Battalion and 32 Battalion's Recce Wing were amalgamated to become 2 SWA Specialist Unit or 2 SWA SPES and relocated to Luipersvallei, Windhoek.

By 1979, South West Africa was subdivided into Operational Sectors. Three Frontline Sectors, 10, 20 and 70 fell under direct control of the South Africa Defence Force's South West Africa Command. Four additional Sectors, 30, 40, 50 and 60 covered the rest of South West Africa and was commanded directly by SWATF officers from 1980.

Frontline Sectors were used for the massing of forces in preparation for external operations into Angola, acting as a buffer with the rest of the territory and reaction to immediate threats. Although theoretically under control of the Area Force, due to their proximity to Angola the vast majority of conventional forces was based in these areas and remained under the direct control of South West Africa Command, a SADF regional command.

These frontline Sectors also had immediate reaction forces (Special Service Companies) to deal with any attack and were primarily infantry company strength and fully motorised. 905 SSC was based at Nepara in Sector 20 and deployed on Buffels. 906 SSC was based at Omahoni in Sector 20 and deployed on Buffels. Local Kwanyama troops made up the bulk of the personnel.

Apart from the Frontline Sectors, four additional Sectors existed. 26 Area Force Units, similar to the South African commando system, was established for these less vulnerable parts of the territory.

HQ Otjiwarongo (Citadel). 301 Bn at Otjiwarongo. SWATF Otjiwarongo AME (Area Force Unit – Area Mag Eenheid), Outjo AME, Grootfontein AME, Tsumeb AME, Herreroland AME, Ethosa AME, Otavi AME, Damaraland AME and UIS PL. Its area of responsibility was likewise the Grootfontein, Tsumeb, Otavi, Outjo, Otjiwarongo, Hereroland and Damaraland regions.

HQ Gobabis. SWATF Aranos AME, Auob AME, Bo Nossob AME, Aminius PL, Gobabis AME, Rietfont AME, Mariental AME and Maltahohe AME.

HQ Keetmanshoop. SWATF Karasburg AME, Keetmanshop AME, Hoop AME, Bethanien AME, Oranjemund AME, Luderitz AME and Namaland AME.

While the SWATF relied heavily on the South African Air Force for combat and heavy logistics transportation, it did have its own Air Wing, which consisted mainly of civilian aircraft. 1 SWA Commando Squadron was established as 112 Air Commando on 24 September 1963 in Windhoek. The unit was staffed by volunteer civilian aircraft. From 1968, control of 112 Commando squadron passed from the SA Army to the SAAF and it was transferred to Light Aircraft Command. In 1970, it was disbanded, but in 1980 it was re established as part of the SWATF.

NameTypeCountry of OriginNotes Beretta 92 Semi automatic pistol Star Semi Automatic Pistol Model 1920, 1921, 1922. Uzi Submachine gun Some of local manufacture. AK 47 Assault Rifle Captured. AKM Assault Rifle Captured. R1 Battle Rifle Belgian design Heckler & Koch G3 Battle Rifle G3A3, received from Portugal. R4 Assault Rifle Derived from the Galil Bren Light machine gun Mk 3. Browning M2 Heavy machine gun Browning M1919 Medium machine gun Helicopter mounted weapon. FN MAG General purpose machine gun MAG 58. SS 77 machine gun General purpose machine gun PKM General purpose machine gun Captured. RPD Light machine gun Captured. RPK Light machine gun Captured. FN Browning Auto 5 Shotgun Armsel Striker Shotgun Dragunov Sniper rifle Captured. Armscor M963 Fragmentation grenade Made in South Africa, derived from INDEP's licence made M26 grenade Armscor 42 Zulu Anti personnel rifle grenade Derived from the Belgian PRB 424 Armscor AP 65 Anti personnel rifle grenade Successor to the 42 Zulu, utilising a M26 and resembling a Dilagrama m/65 Mecar Energa Anti tank rifle grenade Made in South Africa M18 Claymore Anti personnel mine Mine G. S. Mk V Anti tank mine M79 grenade launcher Grenade Launcher Known as "snotneus" Milkor MGL Grenade Launcher M20 Super Bazooka Anti tank weapon 3.5 inch rocket launcher. STRIM 89mm rocket launcher Anti tank weapon M20 replacement. RPG 2 Anti tank weapon Captured. RPG 7 Anti tank weapon Captured.

A lot of effort was used to interdict insurgent groups that had crossed over the Angolan border. These Insurgents were on foot, but knew the land and moved fast. There have been stories of the insurgents moving incredible distances with little supplies, whilst being chased and if cornered putting up a good resistance to their followers. Adrenaline injections were found at some of the incident scenes after a fire fight. These insurgents were normally stalked by using trained trackers, who directed the reaction force. In some instances a stopper group was choppered in to cut off the insurgents before they reached the border.

Under UN resolution 435, the United Nations Transition Assistance Group was mobilised, while SWATF was demobilised, its strength in the last years of operation was at about 22,000. Special arrangements were made for two San units of SWATF, as they originated from local tribal communities. They were thus allocated land near their previous bases. All citizen force units were demobilised. The SWATF was completely demobilised on 1 June 1989.

UN Resolution 435 additionally called on South Africa to reduce its forces in Namibia to 12,000 before the start of any peace process and finally to 1,500 by 1989. Several thousand former SWATF members, especially from the San people who feared reprisals or intimidation, left for South Africa with the withdrawing SADF. 32 Battalion, whose members to a large extent could not claim Namibian citizenship, also withdrew to South Africa completely.