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|branch= |type=Infantry |role=Mechanised infantry |size=One battalion |command_structure=South African Infantry Corps Army Reserve |current_commander=Major A.M. Mosehlana |garrison=Germiston |ceremonial_chief= |ceremonial_chief_label=Colonel-in-Chief |colonel_of_the_regiment=Col. (Hon) J.L. Job, |colonel_of_the_regiment_label=Colonel of the Regiment |nickname= |patron= |motto=''Pro Deo et Patria'' (Latin) (For God and Country) |colors= |identification_symbol_2=(Douglas ) |identification_symbol_2_label=Tartan |march=Within a mile O' Edinburgh town |mascot= |battles= |notable_commanders= |anniversaries=1 May 1903 (Regimental Day) |decorations= |battle_honours= |identification_symbol=200px |identification_symbol_label= Company level Insignia |identification_symbol_2= |identification_symbol_2_label= SA Mechanised Infantry beret bar circa 1992 |identification_symbol_3= |identification_symbol_3_label= |identification_symbol_4= |identification_symbol_4_label= }} The Witwatersrand Rifles Regiment is a mechanised infantry regiment of the South African Army. As a reserve unit, it has a status roughly equivalent to that of a British Army Reserve or United States Army National Guard unit. ==History== The Witwatersrand Rifles (often familiarly known as the "Wits Rifles") was formed on 1 May 1903 by members of the Railway Pioneer Regiment and the Rand Rifles, both of which had fought on the British side during the Second Anglo-Boer War of 1899 – 1902. As befitted a regiment based from the gold-rich Witwatersrand region, it had a very close relationship with the mining establishment of the time; and its cap badge further emphasised this link. The Regiment first saw action during the Bambata Rebellion of 1906, when it deployed a contingent to (the then) Zululand. In 1907 the Regiment was further strengthened when it absorbed the Transvaal Light Infantry Regiment. The regiment was mobilised again when World War I broke out. The first action that it took part in was the South African invasion of German South West Africa (now Namibia). After the successful conclusion of this campaign, virtually all members volunteered for overseas service. Most of the volunteers were consequently assigned to the 3rd South African Infantry Battalion. (Due to the South African military law of the time, soldiers could not be forced to serve overseas, nor could existing military units be deployed there.) The most well-known action that this unit took part in was the Battle of Delville Wood in the Somme. Other members of the regiment served in the Witwatersrand Rifles company of 7 South African Infantry Battalion; this unit which served in German East Africa against the forces of General von Lettow Vorbeck. The inter-war years saw the Regiment deployed during the 1922 Rand Revolt, when rebellious South African Communist Party white miners attempted to overthrow the government of General Jan Smuts. In the early 1930s the Regiment affiliated with the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) Regiment of the British Army. As a consequence, the Witwatersrand Rifles adopted the uniform and many of the traditions of this Scottish Lowland regiment. Despite the Cameronians' disbandment in 1968, the Wits Rifles still continues this heritage today. As a result of the outbreak of World War II in 1939, the Regiment was expanded to two battalions. However, due to the battalions being used to supply replacements in a piecemeal fashion to depleted South African units taking part in the North African Campaign, the Witwatersrand Rifles was only deployed as a coherent unit (to Egypt) in 1943. During its service in North Africa, the Witwatersrand Rifles were amalgamated with Regiment de la Rey. This combined Regiment, nicknamed the "Royal Boere", saw extensive action in Italy as part of the South African 6th Armoured Division, particularly at Monte Caprara and Monte Stanco. From 1970 until the first all-race democratic election in 1994, the Regiment saw action in the South African Border War in South West Africa (now Namibia) and Angola as well as on the South Africa/Botswana border and in South African townships. When conscription ended in 1993, the Regiment began an active recruitment drive to maintain reserve troop strength. During South Africa's second democratic election in 1999, the Regiment deployed 180 volunteers in support of the South African Police Service (SAPS). In the 21st century the Witwatersrand Rifles Regiment continues to attract volunteers for regular part-time training. To re-establish and maintain the its Scottish links, the Regiment has formed an alliances with the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) and the King's Own Scottish Borderers (now amalgamated into the Royal Scots Borderers). Members of the Regiment continue to maintain their traditional Scottish Lowland uniforms and traditions and uphold very high standards of discipline and effective military training. The Regiment also has an active pipe band as well as one of the top shooting teams in the country and is ably supported by a Regimental Council and a very active Regimental Association and Ladies Committee. Over the past few years the Regiment has provided troops for internal operations in support of the South African Police Service and on the borders (as part of Operation Corona) as well as for United Nations peacekeeping operations in the DRC and the Sudan.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=WITWATERSRAND RIFLES )〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Witwatersrand Rifles Regiment」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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