1 South African Infantry Battalion

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1 South African Infantry Battalion
Active	26 January 1951
Country	South Africa
Branch	South African Infantry Corps
Type	Mechanised infantry
Equipment	Ratel
Engagements	South African Border War

1 South African Infantry Battalion is a mechanized infantry unit of the South African Army.

History

Established as 1 SA Infantry Training Battalion at Oudtshoorn, (hence the ostrich feathers on the unit insignia) on 26 January 1951, the unit became part of the infantry corps with its establishment in January 1954. The unit was reconstituted as 1 SA Infantry Battalion in November 1967 and moved to its current base at Tempe near Bloemfontein, in November 1973.

The unit became mechanised in 1976, and the first Ratel infantry combat vehicle course was presented by Major Roland de Vries. Full scale mechanised training commenced the next year, and in 1978 the unit took part in Operation Reindeer. The unit was later involved in operations Sceptic, Protea, Daisy, Askari and Moduler. Lt JJ du Toit and LCpl AT Rutherford were awarded Honoris Crux decorations during Sceptic and Cpl AD Burgers received the same after Protea. Mechanised leader training at 1 SAI commenced in 1979.