South African Corps of Marines | |
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![]() Simonstown Naval Base entrances were protected by guns of the Marines coastal and AA artillery | |
Founded | 1951 |
Disbanded | 1 October 1955 |
Country | ![]() |
Branch | ![]() |
Role | Coastal and anti-aircraft artillery |
Size | Division |
1 Marine Brigade | |
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![]() 1 Marine Bde crest | |
Active | 1979–1990 |
Disbanded | 1990 |
Country | ![]() |
Branch | ![]() |
Type | Amphibious light infantry |
Role | Marine infantry |
Size | Brigade |
Commanders | |
First OC 1 Mrn Bde | Capt (SAN) R. (Dick) Shelver |
Second and last OC 1 Marine Bde | Capt (SAN) Michael St.J. Thomson |
Insignia | |
1 Mrn Bde Marine Breast Badge | ![]() |
South Africa currently does not have a marine corps, though in the past it did. It was originally set up as a sub-branch of the South African Navy during the apartheid era, with the primary purpose of protecting the country's harbours (1951-1955). Then it was recreated in 1979 during the South African Border War as 1 Marine Brigade with the aim of serving as marine infantry (1979-1990). Today, the SAN Maritime Reaction Squadron is the closest analogue to a marine corps South Africa has.