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Natal Carbineers

Natal Carbineers
Nclogo.jpg
SANDF Natal Carbineers emblem
Active 13 March 1855 to present
Country  South Africa
Allegiance
Branch
Type Infantry
Role Motorised Infantry
Size One Battalion
Part of South African Infantry Formation
Army Conventional Reserve
Garrison/HQ The Drill Hall, Pietermaritzburg
Nickname(s) One Carbs
Motto(s) Pro Patria (For the Fatherland)
Anniversaries 13 March (Regimental Day)
Battle honours
Awarded
South Africa 1879
South Africa 1899-1902
Defence of Ladysmith
Natal 1906
South West Africa 1914 - 1915
Gibeon
East Africa 1940-41
El Wak
The Juba
Combolcia
Amba Alagi
Western Desert 1941-43
Sidi Rezegh
Gazala
Point 204
Alamein Defence
Italy 1944-45
Casino II
Florence
The Greve
Gothic Line
Monte Vigese
Monte Stanco
Monte Pezza
Po Valley
El Alamein
Insignia
Company level Insignia SA Army Company Insignia.png
SA Motorised Infantry beret bar circa 1992
SA Motorised Infantry beret bar

The Natal Carbineers Regiment is an infantry unit of the South African Army. As a reserve unit, it has a status roughly equivalent to that of a British Army Reserve or United States Army National Guard unit.

The Natal Carbineers Regiment traces its roots to 1854 but it was formally raised on 15 January 1855 and gazetted on 13 March of that year.

In 1913, the Regiment’s two ‘wings’ became known as the First and Second Mounted Rifles (Natal Carbineers) and in 1934 they re-assumed the name 1st and 2nd Natal Carbineers. The following year, they became the Royal Natal Carbineers, a title which remained in use until the country became a republic in 1961. Since its inception, the Natal Carbineers have participated in every campaign in KwaZulu-Natal. Their baptism of fire came during the Langalibalele Rebellion in 1873 where they suffered their first casualties in action in the Drakensberg. Subsequently, during the Anglo-Zulu War, the Carbineers suffered heavy losses at the Battle of Isandlwana on 22 January 1879.

The Natal Carbineers participated in the invasion of Zululand in January 1879, and on 22 January, 23 members of the Regiment perished in the famous battle of Isandlwana. The unit was subsequently relegated to garrison duties at Landman’s Drift on the Mzinyathi, or Buffalo River.

In September 1899, the Natal Carbineers were mobilized for active service in the British campaign to subdue the Boer republics of the Transvaal and Orange Free State. The Regiment served until October 1900, when the Natal Volunteer Forces were demobilized. Some men continued their service in the Volunteer Composite Regiment until the end of the war in May 1902.


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