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SA Army Artillery Formation

The SA Army Artillery Formation intendeds to be the world leader with a balanced, affordable and technologically advanced capability, capable of executing its tasks effectively and efficiently. The SA Army Artillery Formation, as the center of excellence of the SA Army, plans, prepares and provides combat ready artillery regiments, batteries, teams and individuals, supported to the 1st line (command) and 2nd line (control) to the Chief of the SA National Defence Force.

Tradition is born of many things. It usually consists of tales, beliefs or practices handed down from generation to generation. Regiments are like families. As men come and go, so customs are handed down, sometimes odd customs which might now seem almost meaningless, but which made sense when they originated. These traditions hold a unit together and instill in it a pride and esprit de corps unique to the unit. Gunners are particularly fortunate in having almost world-wide tradition to weld them into a unique body of men - men who are proud to be known as gunners. The forerunners of today's gunners were not soldiers in the accepted sense and, for well over a century, by virtue of its origin and characteristics, the artillery developed as something of a distinct entity - almost a separate force. Consequently, its members have always felt themselves somewhat superior to the ordinary soldier. These traditions have led gunners to develop a justifiable sense of superiority over the ages, for they serve the Gun, which bears the title of Ultima Ratio Regum - the last argument of kings and which provides firepower far beyond the capacity of all other weapons.

At the conclusion of the 1914-1918 war (during which there was no Corps of Artillery in South Africa as such and Gunner units were organised and fought as separate entities) two loose associations of members of Gunner units were formed. These were the S.A. Heavy Artillery (SAHA) and the S.A. Field Artillery Formation (SAFA). Recruitment during the war had been largely on a regional basis and as result the Associations never amalgamated into a close national body. In 1934 the Corps of the SAA was officially formed for the first time, incorporating all Gunner units – field, medium, heavy, anti-tank, anti-aircraft and Coast Garrison.

Steve Biko Artillery Regiment
[18 Light Regiment]

Many South African Artillery units are “old” units whose proud history can be traced to days before the Anglo Boer War. Light Regiment is one of the more “modern” artillery regiments that was created to cope with new warfare requirements. The regiment’s name was changed to Steve Biko Artillery Regiment in 2019. 18 Light Regiment is currently equipped with the M5 120mm Heavy Mortar.

The need for a light artillery regiment that could support paratroopers during air assault operations was identified in the early 1970`s. The Soltham M5 120mm mortar was chosen and several purchased in 1974. Staff tables were set up in June 1975, but the Regiment’s official birth date can be pinned down to January 1977. The Regiment was, when formed as part of 1 SA Corps, with its Headquarters in the old OK Bazaars building, Randburg. The unit’s name, 18 Light Regiment, was allocated by the then Master Gunner, Lt Gen FEC van den Berg. The Regiment’s initial intake consisted of the Ops Savannah veterans of 141 Battery of 14 Field Regiment and 41 Battery of 4 Field Regiment.

As a Light Regiment, the unit was structured slightly differently from the other conventional medium artillery regiments. The Regiment consisted of a small RHQ element and 3 Batteries, namely 181,182 and 183 Battery. Each battery consisted of two troops, each with four 120 mm mortars. Each detachment consisted of five Gunners. To meet its airborne objective, the Regiment would only consist of Gunners that qualified as paratroopers. History was made at the General Piet Joubert Training Area in November 1982, when 181Battery, as the first Airborne Battery, was deployed by parachute. The Battery jumped with its mortars, ammunition and equipment. This jump was followed up by Exercise Ubique. On 11 December 1984, the Regiment was able to deploy all 3 batteries in a single airborne drop. The Regiment was now moulded into a true airborne unit.

A very popular event on the Brigade calendar was the annual water jump. All paratroopers of the various units of 44 Parachute Brigade, could participate in this jump. It was usually held at Roodeplaat or Hartebeespoort dam. The jump was followed by a family fun day. 1991 was a year that saw many changes to the Regiment. 44 Parachute Brigade HQ moved to Bloemfontein. The Regiment moved from Murray Hill to the Paulshof Building in Pretoria. With the creation of the SANDF in 1994, it was decided to downscale 44 Parachute Brigade to 44 Parachute Regiment.

18 Light Regiment was transferred to the SA Army Artillery Formation in Pretoria. The Regiment is now located at Magazine Hill, with State Artillery Regiment as its neighbor. A unit flag was approved in July 1986 and a National Colour was presented to the unit in March 1993. The Regimental shoulder badge was designed by Lt G Gravette (Jnr). It consists of the 44 Parachute Brigade Griffon on a maroon background, with the Artillery flash above. This symbolises both the unique airborne and artillery characteristics of the regiment.