RECCE 1st SWA Special Forces South West African Territorial Force Command Wood Shield Plaque

Description

RECCE 1st SWA Special Forces South West African Territorial Force Command Wood Shield Plaque
Amount: 1 piece
Size approx. : 17 x 13 x 2,5 cm
Condition: Fine original condition, please see pictures.
Incl. original mounting set as shown on picture.

The RECCE (short for Reconnaissance Commandos) were a special forces unit in the South West African Territorial Force (SWATF), which was the military arm of South West Africa, a former mandate of South Africa, now known as Namibia. The unit was primarily involved in counter-insurgency and special operations during the Border War (also known as the Namibian War of Independence) from 1966 to 1989.

Key Points about the RECCE:

1. Formation and Role:
o The RECCE was initially established in the 1970s within the South West African Territorial Force (SWATF), which was part of the South African Defence Force (SADF) responsible for maintaining control over South West Africa during the South African Border War.
o The unit’s primary mission was reconnaissance, special operations, and counter-insurgency. They were tasked with gathering intelligence, conducting sabotage operations, and direct action missions behind enemy lines.

2. Training and Capabilities:
o The RECCE operators received training similar to that of other elite forces like the South African Reconnaissance Commandos (SADF), but also had their own specialized training programs.
o Their training included survival skills, small unit tactics, counter-insurgency operations, demolitions, and navigation (often in hostile or difficult environments like deserts or bushland).
o They were highly skilled in operating independently, often in deep enemy territory for extended periods.

3. Tactics and Operations:
o The RECCE were highly effective in gathering intelligence, ambushes, direct action raids, and disrupting enemy supply lines.
o They were involved in numerous cross-border raids into Angola and Zambia, targeting the South West African People’s Organization (SWAPO) and other liberation movements fighting for Namibia’s independence.

4. Special Forces Group:
o The RECCE was often deployed alongside other elite South African units like the 1st and 2nd South African Infantry Battalions, as well as other special operations units.
o They frequently operated in small teams, which allowed them to remain mobile and stealthy while carrying out their missions.

5. After the Border War:
o With the transition of South West Africa to Namibia in 1990, and the end of the South African Border War, the RECCE unit was dissolved. However, elements of the unit, along with other South African special forces, continued to serve in different capacities post-independence.
o Some former RECCE members became involved in the formation of new Namibian military special forces or were absorbed into South African special forces units.

6. Legacy:
o The RECCE’s legacy remains an important part of both South African and Namibian military history. Their operations, particularly their effectiveness in reconnaissance and special operations, continue to be studied in modern military doctrines on irregular warfare and counter-insurgency.
o Many former RECCE members went on to work in private military companies (PMCs) or in various security roles across the globe.
Relationship to the SWATF:
• The South West African Territorial Force was a military force set up by the South African government to maintain control over South West Africa (now Namibia). It was distinct from the South African Defence Force (SADF), though it was closely linked and supported by it.
• The RECCE unit was a key component of the SWATF, carrying out specialized missions that required unique skills and tactics.
Command Structure:
• The RECCE fell under the command of the SADF (South African Defence Force) special forces branch but was operationally tied to the South West African Territorial Force (SWATF).
• They worked closely with other South African special forces units, such as the 1st Reconnaissance Regiment of the SADF, and also coordinated with local paramilitary forces.
Conclusion:
The RECCE 1st SWA Special Forces were an elite, highly skilled reconnaissance and special operations unit, whose legacy continues to influence special forces and military doctrine in the Southern African region. Their expertise in reconnaissance, direct action, and counter-insurgency made them a formidable force during the Namibian War of Independence.