61 Mechanised Battalion Group was a unit of the South African Infantry Corps; although it was classed as mechanized infantry, it was a combined arms force consisting of infantry, armour and artillery. History Combat Group Juliet General Constand Viljoen, Chief of the Army, formulated a plan in 1978 to introduce a mechanized combat group to Ovamboland in the then South West Africa, to conduct operations against SWAPO. Combat Group Juliet was then formed under the command of Commandant Frank Bestbier. Operation Reindeer The Battle Group first saw action in Operation Reindeer in early May 1978, launching an attack on SWAPO’s Western Front headquarters and logistics base, at Chetequera, 15 km north of the South West African border, with a mechanized assault force. This attack formed part of Operation Reindeer during which paratroopers attacked a separate target at Cassinga, some 300 km into Angola. After Operation Reindeer it was decided to establish a permanent conventional mechanized combat unit in the operational area and Commandant Johann Dippenaar was appointed to set up this unit. By January 1979, the Battle Group was renamed 61 Mechanised Battalion and became part of the regular order of battle. 61 Mech 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. South West Africa Headquarters of 61 Mech A tactical headquarters for 61 Mech was initially established at Otavi but during April 1979 this was moved to Tsumeb. 61 Mech was eventually resettled at Omuthiya, with a base headquarters in Tsumeb. Further operations 61 Mech was primarily involved in these operations. Operation Carrot (1979) Operation Sceptic (1980) Operation Protea (1981) Operation Daisy (1981) Operation Meebos (1982) Operation Yahoo (1982) Operation Dolfyn (1983) Operation Askari (1983) Operation Vasvat (1984) Operation Nekomdraai (1984) Operation Pronkertjie (1985) Operation Viper (1985) Operation Benzine Operation Moduler Operation Hooper Operation Packer Operation Excite (1988) Operation Linger Operation Merlyn (1989) Operation Arson I Operation Arson II Operation Light Foot Operation Ventic Operation Pikadel Operation Reward Operation Displace Operation Jamba Operation Hulti (1988) Operation Prone (1988) Operation Makro (1981) Relocation to South Africa and Lohatla Army Battle School During September 1991 61 Mech Bn Gp, which was based at Rooikop in Namibia, resettled at the Army Battle School in Lohatla, South Africa. 61 Mech remained part of C Army’s Reserve, under operational command