37 Battalion (SWATF)


102 Battalion was a quick-reaction unit of the South West African Territorial Force. The battalion lost 36 men.

History

Origin

This unit was formed in 1978 as the Kaokoland Company with 48 men. In 1979, after a SWAPO infiltration, it was expanded into 37 Battalion.

Renaming

The South West Africa Territory Force SWATF renumbered battalion numbers according to their geographical positioning on the border. The prefix 10 pertained to battalions operation to the west of the Kavango River, 20 to the Kavango or central region and 70 to the eastern region. Under this system, 37 Battalion was renamed 102 Battalion.

Structure

By 1979, it had 1100 men in four rifle companies based at Opuwo, Okongwati and Ehoriba.

External Operations