Original Vintage South African 61 Mechanised Battalion Group Bravo Komp. RSA 1985 T-Shirt.
South African made, Peter’s Health Garment Tag size Medium.
Founded in 1979 at Omuthiya in South West Africa (now Namibia) 61 Mech started off in 1978 as a composite unit called Battle Group Juliet, composed of Eland armored cars and brand new Ratel infantry fighting vehicles. In 1978, General Constand Viljoen, Chief of the Army, devised a strategy to deploy a mechanized combat unit to Ovamboland in South West Africa, with the goal of combatting SWAPO. This resulted in the creation of Combat Group Juliet, led by Commandant Frank Bestbier. In May of 1978, during Operation Reindeer, the Battle Group initiated an assault on SWAPO's Western Front headquarters and logistics base, located at Chetequera, 15 km north of the South West African border. This attack was part of a larger operation in which separate targets were attacked at Cassinga, 300 km into Angola. Following the success of Operation Reindeer, a decision was made to establish a permanent conventional mechanized combat unit in the operational area, with Commandant Johann Dippenaar leading the effort. In January 1979, the Battle Group's name was changed to 61 Mechanised Battalion, officially joining the regular order of battle. Over the next ten years, 61 Mech fought a guerrilla war against the South-West Africa People's Organisation and participated in conventional operations against Cuban and Angolan forces. Initially situated in Otavi, a tactical headquarters for 61 Mech was later relocated to Tsumeb in April 1979. Eventually, 61 Mech was permanently stationed at Omuthiya, while maintaining a central headquarters in Tsumeb.
Flat garment measurements (inches):
Chest: 33" (16.5” P2P)
Length: 28”
