The Union Defence Force comprised the armed forces of South Africa from 1 July 1912, when the Defence Act took effect, two years after the creation of the Union of South Africa, until 1957 when it was
Union Defence Force infantry on parade, c. 1939.
The names of those who died and are listed as missing can be found on the Memorial plaque in the gardens of the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
South African Defence Force
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The South African Defence Force comprised the armed forces of South Africa from 1957 until 1994. Shortly before the state reconstituted itself as a republic in 1961, the former Union Defence Force was
Union Defence Force (South Africa)
…Defence Act (No 13 of 1912) took effect, two years after the creation of the Union of South Africa, until 1957 when it was reorganised and renamed the South African Defence Force (SADF). After the Union of South Africa was formed in 1910, General Jan Smuts, the Union's first Minister of Defence, placed a high priority on creating…
SADF paratroops in training
Stephan Grobler and two other SADF soldiers during Jnr Leaders training (Basics) in Oudtshoorn Infantry training school. Stephan (who is on the left) later became an Officer over a Platoon in the 301 Battalion but the other two soldiers have yet to be identified.
The former South African Defence Force base in Outapi, Omusati, Namibia.