Hunter Group

Hunter Group
Active	May 1968
Disbanded	1976
Country	South Africa
Allegiance	Republic of South Africa
Branch	South African Army
Type	Special forces
Role	Counter-insurgency
Part of	South African Defence Force
Garrison/HQ	Doornkop,Transvaal
Commanders
Notable commanders	Commandant G. van Kerckhoven
Insignia
Identification symbol	Scorpion

TheHunter GroupwasSouth Africa's first special forces unit andcounter-insurgencyelite formed in 1968, with members of the unit forming and training later special forces and other specialised units of theSouth African Army.

History

Hunter Group was formed in May 1968by Commandant G. van Kerckhoven of theSouth African Irish Regimentwho saw a need to expand thecounter-insurgencyskills of certain members in the regiment and which would be superior to the basic skills provided to the average national serviceman.He was aided by an ex-Rhodesianarmy weapons and unarmed combat expert named Grant-Grierson.Initially it drew members from the Irish regiment but as it reputation grew volunteers from other army units also joined. Members received 240 hours of training over weekends and at night over twelve months.

Up to 700 men passed through the group's training with members forming or training the firstspecial forcesunit and32 BattalionBy 1976 the group had disbanded and its remaining members placed in Citizen Force (Reserve) unit2 Reconnaissance Commando.

Training

Training included activities such asclose weapons use,first aid, vehicle driving, parachuting,guerrilla warfare,stress and shock training,bushcraftand survival, demolitions and many other skills.Member of the group wore camouflaged uniforms which were not worn by any other South African unit with some in the style of airborne smocks with a silver scorpion insignia on a green background on their right sleeve.

Further reading

• Pitta, Robert (27 May 1993).South African Special Forces(eBook). Elite (Book 47). Osprey Publishing.ISBN1855322943.