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44 Parachute Brigade

44 Parachute Brigade was a parachute infantry brigade of the South African Army. It was founded on 20 April 1978, by Colonel Jan Breytenbach, following the disbandment of 1 SA Corps and the battle of Cassinga. Upon formation, the brigade was commanded by Brigadier M. J. du Plessis, who was assigned the task of establishing by working with the Parachute Staff Officer, Colonel Jan Breytenbach. At the time du Plessis was the commanding officer of the Orange Free State Command (OFS Cmd) and had previous experience serving in 1 Parachute Battalion. Breytenbach had also been a member of 1 Parachute Battalion and had also founded the South African Special Forces Brigade and 32 Battalion. The location that was chosen for the brigade's headquarters was in the lines of the OFS Cmd Headquarters, next to the old Tempe Airfield in Bloemfontein.

The brigade's units initially consisted of two Citizen Force units, 2 and 3 Parachute Battalions, that were manned by paratroopers who had completed their initial national service in 1 Parachute Battalion. Shortly after formation, it was realised that these two battalions, being infantry units only, were not capable of providing an effective and balanced force for conventional operations. An all-arms formation with an airborne capability was needed, and as a result, later on the brigade was expanded with various arms including engineering, artillery, signals, anti-aircraft, anti-tank, and maintenance and workshops units. The brigade remained in existence until 1999 when it was reduced in size and re-designated 44 Parachute Regiment. Prior to this, 44 Parachute Brigade undertook a number of operations in Angola during the South African Border War as well as counter insurgency operations inside South Africa.

South Africa has a rich military history, dating back to before the first settlers came to this “new” land in the 1600’s. Local tribes waged war with each other since the dawn of time, producing one of the best military strategists and leaders of his time, Chaka, King of the Zulu nation, also referred to by historian’s world wide as “the Black Napoleon”. Only three wars were fought against foreign enemies of South Africa since 1652.There were the two Anglo Boer wars and the war in Angola. South Africans also served with distinction in the two World Wars on the side of the Allied Forces and later in Korea. During the Angolan war a new division was born and added to the South African Defence Force, namely 1 Parachute Battalion, known in South Africa as the Parabats.

The South African Air Force established a Paratroops Company in August 1943, during the Second World War, but was disbanded before training could commence. In the late 1950’s, the General Staff decided to establish a South African parachute unit. On the 27th September 1960, 15 South African Defence Force volunteers were sent to Britain to be trained as paratroopers and parachute jumping instructors at Abingdon Royal Air Force base. This course started on the 3rd October and all 15 qualified and received their wings on the 8th November. 2 members, who had broken a leg each during the night jump, received theirs in the hospital. The advance training started at the transport squadron and produced, 11 parachute instructors, 2 parachute riggers and 1 medic at the medical center. The courses ended on the 15th December and they returned to SA on the 22nd of December.

The army members were issued with British Army Wings and the air force members with the Royal Air Force Parachute Wings, which were worn on the right upper arm of their uniforms. The army members of the group completed the parachute instructor’s course at Abingdon and were then awarded the parachute instructors’ half-wing which was worn on the left side of the chest of the uniform. On completion of 50 jumps, the South African wore their wings on the right side of the chest.

In 1961 the first South African wings were developed. The qualification wing, a cloth wing of blue and white on a dark brown background, was instituted. It was worn on the right upper arm of the uniform by candidates that had qualified as paratroopers, and on the right side of the chest by those with 50 or more jumps. The instructor’ half-wing was slightly larger than the RAF instructors half-wing and this was white on a lighter brown background, with a green wreath around the lower portion of the parachute. This half-wing was worn on the left side of the chest. Initially, instructors wore both wings, but in 1962 they reverted to only wearing the instructors half-wing.

When Rhodesia’s(Zimbabwe) war ended in 1980, the SADF used this as an opportunity to recruit battle hardened soldiers whom they knew could be relied on and utilised for their expertise and skills. The Philistines, as they became known, was officially formed in Nov 1980 by Col Breytenbach, the Officer Commanding 44 Parachute Brigade and they were named The Pathfinder Company. Captain Botes, who served with 32 Battalion, became commanding officer of the unit and WO2 McAleese, who served in the British SAS, was recruited as the company sargent major. Together these two exceptional soldiers created the selection course which was used to pick the best of these foreign professional soldiers, most of whom had fought in the Rhodesian conflict.

When CSM McAleese joined the SADF in June 1980 he was approached by Col Breytenbach about forming this new foreign unit. His vision for the unit was to be an independent strike force, specialzing in mobile guerrilla tactics, performing fighting patrols deep inside Angola, on foot and in their unique 2 vehicle, 8 man teams, using their specilised vehicles. On occasions they also under took the role of a spearhead in various operations. He wanted the unit to be selected on a similar standard as that of the British SAS. CSM McAleese having being through the SAS, promptly jumped into gear and set up various training phases for the men. The base was selected and the unit was moved to their new home at Mabalique. As “new” recruits arrived, they immediately fell into the training process. A typical day started at 4:30am with a run down to the gates of the Kruger National Park and back before breakfast, to open the lungs. After breakfast, they did fire and movement, The rest of the day consisted of firing as many weapons as they could lay their hands on to familiarise themselves with them as needed.

Every volunteering soldier was required to report to Pretoria to undergo an initial selection process, which included medical and psychological examinations. Once they passed this stage, they were sent off to 44’s HQ at Murryhill, where they were kitted and set to task. After about 5 months, 23 men started the first pathfinders selection course down in the beautiful mountain range called the Drakensberg, between Cathedrals Peak and Castle. The first week was spent in the Drakensberg around Giants Castle and Cathedals Peak and then moved up north for the remained of the time to Mabalique on the Zimbabwe border. The caliber of the men that applied for this unit were of a high standard and it showed in the pass rate of the selection course.

The 44 Para Bde unit was disbanded under Col Frank Bestbier in January 1982 after Col Breytenbach left the post of OC for 44 Parachute Brigade. Various pathfinders were absorbed into 32 Battalion, and others left once their 1 year contracts had expired. CSM McAleese along with 3 other members were recruited to form a 44 Para Training Team. This units focus was to do retraining of the citizen force members and accompany them to the operational area.