3rd Infantry Division (South Africa)

3rd South African Infantry Division
South African infantry on parade prior to the Union of South Africa's entry into World War II
Active	23 October 1940 – 17 May 1943
Country	South Africa
Allegiance	Allied forces of World War 2
Branch	South African Army
Type	Infantry
Size	Division
Garrison/HQ	Pretoria and later Ermelo
Disbanded	4 April 1942 (re-designated as 3rd Arm Div)
Commanders
Until re-designation as 3rd Arm Div	Major General Hermanus Botha

The South African 3rd Infantry Division was an infantry division of the South African Army during World War II.

This division was formed in South Africa on 23 October 1940 with its headquarters based in Pretoria.

The 3rd Infantry Division never took an active part in any battles but instead organised and trained the South African home defence forces, performed garrison duties and trained and supplied replacements for the 1st and 2nd Divisions deployed to East Africa and later to the Western Desert.

The division was based in Pretoria until 1942, whereafter the division then moved to Ermelo in the Eastern Transvaal, although its constituent units were deployed as far as the then South West Africa.

On 4 April 1942 the division was redesignated the South African 3rd Armoured Division. This division was disbanded on 17 May 1943, without ever having been deployed. However, one of the division's constituent units, the 7th Motorised Brigade, did take part in the invasion of Madagascar.

Major General Hermanus Botha was the commander of the division from 23 August 1940 until its redesignation.

On formation in October 1940, the Division was structured as follows: