Members of 1 Parachute Battalion were the first S.A. Army soldiers to see action after World War II when, in 1966, they participated, with the South African Police, against insurgents in South West Africa.

The South African 1st Parachute Battalion was set up under Commandant Willem Louw on 1st April 1961. This resulted after selected members of the South African Army received training and instruction at RAF Abingdon and from the British Parachute Regiment.

Mar 1, 2010 · On April 1, 1961, they founded 1 Parachute Battalion. The unit’s first operational mission came in August 1966 when they assisted police in an attack on a People’s Liberation Army of Namibia base at Ongulumbashe in western Ovamboland.

Members of 1 Parachute Battalion were the first S.A. Army men to see action after WWII when, in 1966, they participated, with the South African Police, against insurgents in S.W.A. (now Namibia).

* 1 Parachute Battalion was established 01 April 1961. * The first military jump in South Africa was on 04 August 1961. * The first 1 Para Bn ceremonial parade took place in Cape Town, 1962 with the opening of Parliament. * The First Regimental Sergeant Major of 1 …

Dec 31, 2024 · 1 Parachute Battalion was founded on April 1, 1966, under the command of Lt Col (later Lt Gen) Willem Louw SSA SM; other noteworthy commanders of the unit included Brigadier M.J. du Plessis...

The first Parachute Battalion was set up under Commandant Willem Louw on 1st April 1961. This resulted after selected members of the South African Army received training and instruction at RAF Abingdon and the British Parachute Regiment.

Apr 1, 2011 · The South African Army’s 1 Parachute Battalion (1 Para Bn) is celebrating its 50th anniversary today with a series of ceremonies, including a trooping of the colours parade at 2pm. In 1960, 15 South African Defence Force volunteers were carefully selected and sent to the United Kingdom for parachute training.

About 80 or so ‘Giraffe Patten’ camouflage uniforms were issued between 1980 and 1982 to the Pathfinders of the 1 Parachute Battalion of the 44 Parachute Brigade. The camouflage is a two-tone colour – one brown, one off white and draws inspiration from the Reticulated Giraffe.

The South African 1st Parachute Battalion was set up under Commandant Willem Louw on 1st April 1961. This resulted after selected members of the South African Army received training and instruction at RAF Abingdon and from the British Parachute Regiment. Operations by 1 Parachute Battalion (soon nick-named ‘Parabats’) began in South-West Africa (now Namibia) and were […]