List of South African Battle Honours

The South African National Defence Force follows the British Army system of awarding battle honours to military units, to recognize the battles and campaigns in which they have fought with distinction. The following is a list of battle honours with descriptions and listing the units for each battle honour:

Battle Honours of South Africa

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  • Name: South West Africa 1915[1]

Computer simulation of embroidered Battle Honour

South West Africa 1914–1915

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Computer simulation of embroidered Battle Honour

Bechuanaland 1896–97

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  • Name: Bechuanaland 1896–97[41]

Computer simulation of Battle Honour

South Africa 1899–1902

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  • Name: South Africa 1899–1902[42]

Computer simulation of embroidered Battle Honour

Western Desert 1941–43

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  • Name: Western Desert 1941–43[49]

Computer simulation of Embroidered Battle Honour

Gazala

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Computer simulation of Embroidered Battle Honour

Alem Hamza

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  • Name: Alem Hamza[55]

Computer Simulation of Battle Honour

Best Post

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

Alamein Defence

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

Alamein Box

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

El Alamein

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

Italy 1944–45

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

Casino II

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

Chiusi

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

Florence

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

The Greve

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

Gothic Line

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

Monte Stanco

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

Monte Pezza

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

Sole/Caprara

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

Po Valley

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

Gaika Gcaleka 1877

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

Transkei 1879

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

  • Name: Transkei 1879[73]
    • A Cape unit, which was stationed in the Transkei to release a British regiment for active service, has this, its own honour for this period[73]

Basutoland 1880–81

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

Bechuanaland 1897

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

East Africa 1940–41

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

El Wak

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

The Juba

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

Combolcia

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

Amba Alagi

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

Sidi Rezegh

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

South Africa 1879

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

Battle Honours
Awarded
Unknown: South Africa 1879

Please see the Template:BattleHonour for help

Relief of Ladysmith

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

Natal 1906

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

Bardia

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

Point 204

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

Madagascar 1942

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

Griqualand West 1878

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

Transkei 1880–81

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

  • Name: Transkei 1880–81[95]
  • Description: One of two concurrent campaigns by Cape Colony forces against African subjects who resisted a government police outlawing ownership of firearms. This was conducted against the Xhosa in the Transkei from October 1880 until April 1881.[95]

Defence of Kimberley

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

  • Name: Defence of Kimberley[96]
  • Description: From October 1899 until May 1902, British, Cape and Natal forces fought the neighbouring Boer republics, which eventually capitulated. Battle honours were authorised by the British government[96]

Celleno

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Computer Simulation of Battle Honour

Monte Porro del Bagno

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Computer Simulation of Battle Honour

Monte Vigese

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Computer Simulation of Battle Honour

Monte Salvaro

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Computer Simulation of Battle Honour

Defence of Ladysmith

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

Gibeon

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Computer Simulation of Battle Honour

Mersa Belafarit

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Computer Simulation of Battle Honour

Dadaba

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Computer Simulation of Battle Honour

Best Post

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Computer Simulation of Battle Honour

The Tiber

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Computer Simulation of Battle Honour

Madagascar

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Computer Simulation of Battle Honour

Bagno Regio

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Computer Simulation of Battle Honour

Sarteano

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Computer Simulation of Battle Honour

La Foce

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Computer Simulation of Battle Honour

Catarelto Ridge

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Computer Simulation of Battle Honour

Transkei 1877–78

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Computer Simulation of Battle Honour

  • Name: Transkei 1877–78[113]
  • Description: Operations by British and Cape Colony forces against the Ngqika ("Gaika") and Gcaleka nations on the colony's eastern frontier, from September 1877 to June 1878.[113]

Umzintzani

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Computer Simulation of Battle Honour

Allerona

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Computer Simulation of Battle Honour

Monte Querciabella

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Computer Simulation of Battle Honour

Monte Fili

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Computer Simulation of Battle Honour

Campo Santo Bridge

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

Kilimanjaro

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Computer Simulation of Battle Honour

Behobeho

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Behobeho

Nyangao

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Computer Simulation of Battle Honour

East Africa 1916–17

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Computer Simulation of Battle Honour

East Africa 1917–18

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Computer Simulation of Battle Honour

East Africa 1916–18

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Computer Simulation of Battle Honour

Megiddo

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Computer Simulation of Battle Honour

Cape of Good Hope

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Computer Simulation of Battle Honour

Nablus

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Computer Simulation of Battle Honour

Palestine 1918

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Computer Simulation of Battle Honour

Mega

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

Yonte

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

Diredawa

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

Sollum

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

Alem Hamza

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

Acroma Keep

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

Egypt 1916

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

Somme 1916

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

Delville Wood

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

Arras

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

Scarpe 1917

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

Ypres 1917

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

Menin Road

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

Selle

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Computer Simulation of Battle Honour

Sambre

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

Map of Sambre, France
Map of Sambre, France

France and Flanders 1916–18

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

El Mughar

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

Nebi Samwil

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

Tel Asur

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

Sharon

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

Narungombe

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

German East Africa 1916–18

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

Halfaya

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

Commonwealth Keep

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

Tobruk

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

Kunene

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

South West Africa/Angola 1975–1976

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

South West Africa/Angola 1976–1989

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

Rhodesia 1967–75

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

Gaza

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

Alem el Halfa

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

Paliano

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

Rome

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

The Tiber

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

South West Africa/Zambia 1979

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

Cuito Cuanaval

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

Mulemba/Mulola

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

Xangongo/Ongiva

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

Mavinga II

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

Mavinga III

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

Calueque

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

Bangui

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Computer simulation of Embroidered Battle Honour

Other

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These are Battle Honours listed by units which are not in the cited source.

El Yibo

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

Springbok Road

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

Bir Temrad

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

Cassinga / Chetequera

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

Messines 1918

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

Hindenburg Line

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

Cambrai 1918

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

Pursuit to Mons

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

France and Flanders 1918

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

Le Transloy

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

Kemmel

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

Lys

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

Taieb el Essem

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

  • Name: Taieb el Essem
  • Description: The South African Units formed a component of the 1st Brigade force that held a defensive box south of Sidi Rezegh. On 24-25 November 1941, this force repelled a heavy German armoured assault.[192]

Qattara Track

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

  • Name: Qattara Track
  • Description: On 26-27 July 1942 a detachment of the Carbineers was involved in this subsidiary action in the Alamein defensive battles of July 1942. These series of engagements were pivotal in blunting the eastward rush of Field-Marshal Erwin Rommel's Afrika Korps in the wake of the fall of Tobruk in June that year.[192]

Bir Sciafsciuf

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

  • Name: Bir Sciafsciuf
  • Description: This minor engagement on 30 November 1941 was another episode in the Crusader offensive. A small Carbineer component was pitted against an enemy convoy in the vicinity of Sidi Rezegh.[192]

Wepener

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Computer simulation of Battle Honour

Battle Honours by Unit

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Cape Town Highlanders

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Battle Honours
Awarded
Bechuanaland 1896-97
South Africa 1899-1902
South West Africa 1915
Gazala
Alem Hamza
Best Post
Alamein Box
Alamein Defence
Alem el Halfa
El Alamein
Western Desert 1941-43
Casino II
Paliano
Chiusi
Florence
Gothic Line
The Greve
Monte Stanco
Monte Pezza
Sole/Caprara
Po Valley
Italy 1944-45


Battle Honours
Lost Battle Honours
Egypt 1916
Somme 1916
Delville Wood
Arras
Ypres 1917
Menin Road
Messines 1918
Hindenburg Line
Cambrai 1918
Pursuit to Mons
France and Flanders 1918
Le Transloy
Scarpe 1917
Kemmel
Lys


Natal Mounted Rifles

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Battle Honours
Awarded
South Africa 1879
South Africa 1899-1902
Defence of Ladysmith
Natal 1906
South West Africa 1915
Gibeon
East Africa 1940-41
Dadaba
Western Desert 1941-43
Gazala
Springbok Road
Paliano
Bir Temrad
Best Post
Alamein Defence
El Alamein
Italy 1944-45
The Tiber
Celleno
Florence
The Greve
Gothic Line
Po Valley
El Yibo
South West Africa/Angola 1975-1976

Royal Natal Carbineers

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Battle Honours
Awarded to the Natal Carbineers
South Africa 1879
South Africa 1899-1902
Defence of Ladysmith
Relief of Ladysmith
Natal 1906
South West Africa 1914–1915
Gibeon
East Africa 1940-41
El Wak
The Juba
Combolcia
Western Desert 1941-43
Sidi Rezegh
Amba Alagi
Point 204
Taieb el Essem
Gazala
Alamein Defence
Qattara Track
Bir Sciafsciuf
El Alamein
Italy 1944-45
Casino II
Paliano
Bagno Regio
Citta delia Pieve
Monte Vigese
Florence
The Greve
Monte Stanco
Gothic Line
Monte Pezza
Po Valley
South West Africa/Angola 1976-1989


South African Police

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Battle Honours
Awarded to the South African Police
South West Africa 1914–1915
Western Desert 1941-43
Gazala
Bardia
Point 204
Sollum
German East Africa 1916-18
Halfaya
Commonwealth Keep
Tobruk
Rhodesia 1967-75

Transvaal Scottish Regiment

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Battle Honours
Battle Honours awarded to the Transvaal Scottish
Natal 1906
South West Africa 1914–1915
East Africa 1940-41
El Wak
The Juba
Yonte
Diredawa
Combolcia
Amba Alagi
Western Desert 1941-43
Sollum
Sidi Rezegh
Gazala
Alem Hamza
Acroma Keep
Alamein Defence
Mega
El Alamein

Cape Town Rifles

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Battle Honours
Awarded to Cape Town Rifles
Gaika Gcaleka 1877
Transkei 1879
Basutoland 1880-81
Bechuanaland 1897
South Africa 1899-1902
South West Africa 1914–1915
East Africa 1940-41
El Wak
The Juba
Combolcia
Amba Alagi
Western Desert 1941-43
Sidi Rezegh
Gazala
Alem Hamza
Alamein Defence
El Alamein

General de_la Rey Regiment

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Battle Honours
Awarded to General de la Rey Regiment
Italy 1944-45
Casino II
Allerona
Florence
Monte Querciabella
Monte Fili
The Greve
Gothic Line
Monte Stanco
Monte Salvaro
Sole/Caprara
Po Valley
Campo Santo Bridge


Notes

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  1. ^ 2nd Version
  2. ^ 1st Version
  3. ^ The data was corrupted. This seems to be the correct name.

References

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  1. ^ Dovey, John. "Battle Honour Info:South West Africa 1915". Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
  2. ^ "Unit Info:Southern Rifles (2)". Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
  3. ^ "Unit Info:Southern Rifles (1)". Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v "Unit Info:Cape Town Highlanders, The Duke of Connaught and Strathearn's Own". Archived from the original on 26 December 2015. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
  5. ^ "Unit Info:Cape Garrison Artillery". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
  6. ^ "Unit Info:Cape Field Artillery". Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
  7. ^ Dovey, John. "Battle Honour Info:South West Africa 1914–1915". Archived from the original on 23 November 2015. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Unit Info:Witswatersrand Rifles". Archived from the original on 26 December 2015. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
  9. ^ "Unit Info:Western Province Mounted Rifles (1)". Archived from the original on 26 December 2015. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g "Unit Info:Umvoti Mounted Rifles". Archived from the original on 26 December 2015. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q "Unit Info:Transvaal Scottish Regiment". Archived from the original on 26 December 2015. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
  12. ^