1 Special Service Battalion, military unit
1 Special Service Battalion is an army unit in South Africa based at Tempe near Bloemfontein. It functions primarily as an armored car regiment with vehicles like the Rooikat and Ratel, and has around 1,000 soldiers trained in various roles for patrols and operations.
The battalion was founded on May 1, 1933, under Lieutenant Colonel George Brink and originally served to train young soldiers. During World War Two, its members fought in Ethiopia, North Africa, and Italy, and it later became active in the border conflicts in Namibia and Angola.
The unit uses a Dutch motto meaning 'Unity is Strength' and soldiers wear black berets with insignia featuring protea flowers. These symbols shape the identity of the battalion and are maintained through annual traditional gatherings where members reconnect and reflect on their shared purpose.
The unit is not open to the public as it operates within a restricted military area. Information about its activities can be obtained through official channels of the South African Army.
The unit was originally also a social experiment to help young men aged 17 to 22 adjust after leaving school. The program was so successful that by 1935 a similar group called the Pioneer Battalion was established.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
