Regiment Botha

Regiment Botha is an infantry regiment of the South African Army. As a reserve unit, it has a status roughly equivalent to that of a British Territorial Army or United States Army National Guard unit. The Regiment was named after General Louis Botha, the first prime minister of South Africa.

History

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

A second battalion was formed on the outbreak of World War II in 1939. 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.

The two battalions separated after the war, and in 1951 the second battalion was renamed Regiment Christiaan Beyers.

From 1960 to 1966, Regiment Botha was called Regiment Pongola.


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