1 South West African Specialist Unit, also known as 1 SWASpes, was part of the South West African Territorial Force.Modern African Wars (3): South West Africa (Men-At-Arms Series, 242) by Helmoed-Romer Heitman, Osprey Publishing (28 November 1991) and

History

The South West African Territorial Force Command identified an urgent need for horse mounted and motorbike mounted units and dogs for the operational areas. The conclusions reached was for a unit organisation such as 202 Battalion to be adjusted so as to accommodate horse and dog units for operational use, and specifically, the urgent need for the acquisition of two platoons of mounted infantry. This included the furnishing of horses and equine related equipment, as well as the training and appointing of a qualified platoon commanding officer, full-time veterinarian and farriers. The Equestrian Centre became involved in the first purpose-built frontline horse and motorcycle mounted infantry base in the Operational Area. By 1978, 1 SWASpes had diversified into the application of motorcycles, trackers and later the introduction of tracking and explosives detection dogs. 1 SWASpes was among the first to combine conventional infantry forces on the ground with the skills of trackers, the abilities of dogs and the quick reaction abilities afforded by horses and motorcycle units. Equestrian platoons were detached to bases across the Operational Area, though the main equestrian unit in

South West Africa South West Africa was a territory under Union of South Africa, South African administration from 1915 to 1990. Renamed ''Namibia'' by the United Nations in 1968, Independence of Namibia, it became independent under this name on 21 March 1990. ...

was stationed at

Oshivelo Oshivelo is a settlement in northern Namibia. Transport and infrastructure Oshivelo has a clinic that in 2014 was refurbished and named after Catherine Bullen, a woman that died here in 2002 due to inadequate facilities. In early 2005, the n ...

. 1 SWASpes introduced to counter insurgency, the application of the Packhound; using dogs to track, run down, and corner quarry for infantry or mounted soldiers to interdict. These packs could keep a speed of 15 km for over four hours, peaking at 30 km for 15 minutes.

Organization

By 1978, it comprised two companies of

mounted infantry Mounted infantry were infantry who rode horses instead of marching. Unlike cavalry, mounted infantry dismounted to fight on foot. The original dragoons were essentially mounted infantry. According to the ''Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Editio ...

, two platoons of trackers and two platoons of motorcyclists, and a force of 60 dogs.

History

Organization

See also

References

Further reading