61 Mechanised Infantry Battalion Group
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61 Mechanised Infantry Battalion Group is a unit of the South African Infantry Corps; although it is classed as mechanized infantry, it is a mixed force of infantry, armour and artillery.
The Battalion Group was formed in 1978 as Battle Group Juliet in South-West Africa as a force to prevent attacks on the region from SWAPO forces in southern Angola. In January 1979, the battle group was renamed as 61 Mechanised Infantry and became part of the regular order of battle. The unit served for over a decade in the territory fighting both a guerrilla war against the South-West Africa People's Organisation, as well as taking part in conventional operations against Cuban and Angolan forces, before South-West Africa achieved independence as Namibia.
61 Mech Inf was organised with three infantry companies, which were equipped with the Ratel Infantry Fighting Vehicle, an armoured squadron equipped with the Rooikat Armoured Fighting Vehicle, and a support company consisting of an anti-tank platoon, a mortar platoon, an anti-aircraft troop and an artillery battery equipped with the G5 howitzer. It was primarily tasked as the Army's Immediate Response Unit, due to its versatility. The unit was disbanded completely in November 2005.
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