4 Reconnaissance Commando (South Africa)
# 4 Reconnaissance Commando (South Africa)

The 4 Reconnaissance Commando is a defunct South African Special Forces unit of the South African Defence Force that was formed in July 1978, specialising in amphibious operations.

## History

In 1976, during Operation Savannah, a need was identified for more operational special forces units and in particular units with more specialised $skills.^{:Ch2}$ In March 1976, Major Malcolm Kinghorn formed a sub-unit specialising in amphibious operations for use in Angola during Operation $Savannah.^{:Ch2}$ It was formed at Salisbury Island, Durban and consisted of a headquarters unit of Kinghorn and a NCO and two units of six men each and was called Charlie (C) Group of 1 Reconnaissance $Commando.^{:Ch2}$

On 1 May 1976, the Defence Minister approved the formation of 4 Reconnaissance Commando but it would take a further two years before it was formally $established.^{:Ch2}$ The unit was formed on the 17 July 1978 as 4 Reconnaissance Commando at Langebaan with Major Kinghorn as the first commanding officer and the first RSM was Warrant Officer “Chili” du $Plessis.^{:Ch2}$ It was initially made up of members of 1 Reconnaissance Commando. On 1 January 1979, Major Kinghorn was given a temporary rank of Commandant. During the 1981 reorganisation, 4 Reconnaissance Commando was renamed 4 Reconnaissance Regiment (4RR). The unit was said to be small with mainly white soldiers who operated in Angola and $Mozambique^{:Chp3}$

## Structure

In 1978, 4 Reconnaissance Commando was initially structured into three $groups:^{:Ch3}$

* Alpha Group – amphibious operations training,
* Bravo Group – operational,
* Charlie Group – diving,

but when 4 Reconnaissance Commando was renamed 4 Reconnaissance Regiment in 1981 it was structured as:

4.1 Commando – operational component with five $teams:^{:Ch3}$

* Diving Team – offensive operational attack divers
* Boat Team – maintain and operate the teams boats and work with the naval vessels crews
* Offensive Team – carried out the special forces tasks
* Small Teams – carry out reconnaissance and lead the offensive teams to the targets
* Reconnaissance Team – handle intelligence gathering operations in larger teams

4.2 Commando – training element later called Special Forces Amphibious and Urban $School^{:Ch3}$

## Re-organisation after 1992

The next reorganisation occurred in 1992 when the Special Forces HQ was disbanded and renamed the Directorate Reconnaissance Forces and 4 RR remained but 2RR, the citizen force unit, was disbanded. In 1993, a further reorganisation occurred when the Directorate Reconnaissance Forces was renamed as the 45 Para Brigade and 4 Reconnaissance Commando was renamed the 453 Para Battalion. The last change occurred in 1995, 45 Para Brigade became the Special Forces Brigade and subsequently 453 Para Battalion is now called 4 Special Forces Regiment.

## Commanding officers

Officers commanding were:

* 1978–1982: Cmdt. M. Kinghorn
* 1982–1994: Col. J. Venter
* 1994–n.d.: Col. K. Nel
