Natal Field Artillery

Natal Field Artillery
Active	September 1862 to present
Country	South Africa
Allegiance	Republic of South Africa  Republic of South Africa
Branch	South African Army  South African Army
Type	Reserve artillery
Role	Medium (self propelled) Artillery (G6)
Part of	South African Army Artillery Formation Army Conventional Reserve
Garrison/HQ	Lord's Grounds, Durban 29°51′1.7454″S 31°1′22.08″E / 29.850484833°S 31.0228000°E / -29.850484833; 31.0228000Coordinates: 29°51′1.7454″S 31°1′22.08″E / 29.850484833°S 31.0228000°E / -29.850484833; 31.0228000
Motto(s)	Armis Arte Audacia (With Arms, Skill and Bravery)
Equipment	GV6 155 mm self-propelled howitzer
Engagements	Second Anglo-Boer War World War I World War II South African Border War
Battle honours	Battle Honours Awarded South West Africa 1915
Commanders
Current commander	Major Craig Nel
Insignia
Collar Badge	Bursting grenade with seven flames
Beret Colour	Oxford Blue
Artillery Battery Emblems
Artillery Beret Bar circa 1992

The Natal Field Artillery (usually abbreviated as NFA) is an artillery 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. It is part of the South African Army Artillery Formation.

History

Memorial plaque commemorating the regiment's participation in the Battle of Elandslaagte

The Natal Field Artillery was raised in 1862 as part of the Durban Volunteer Guard, and later became a unit in its own right.^[1]

The regiment took part in numerous military actions, including:

• the Second Anglo-Boer War
• the South African invasion of German South-West Africa during World War I
• World War II, when the regiment formed part of the South African 2nd Infantry Division and was captured during the fall of Tobruk, part of the Western Desert Campaign in North Africa fighting Erwin Rommel. This occurred in a series of engagements called the Battle of Gazala. One of these engagements was Rommel's attack against Allied forces near Tobruk was on June 13, 1942. The 21st Panzer Division attacked South African positions on Rigel Ridge in the middle of a sandstorm. This was the 6th South African Anti-tank battery of the 2nd field regiment.^[2] The South African gunners kept firing until all their guns were destroyed, allowing the withdrawal of other Allied formations.^[3]:98 The guns were commanded individually and fired at the Panzers over open sights. The German tanks took up positions behind the ridge with anti-tank guns placed between them. The Germans put down a devastating fire onto the South African positions. One of the columns of Panzers attacked them from the rear, surrounding them and cutting off all escape. Nevertheless, the gunners kept firing until all eight guns had been destroyed. About half the gun detachments were killed and wounded, including the battery commander and many officers. When the battery had been silenced, the enemy tanks approached cautiously and the South African gunners were made prisoners. The entire Natal Field Artillery Regiment was captured and would not be re-formed until after the War.^[4] On that day the Germans captured over 3000 Allied prisoners.^[5]:163

From 1913 to 1926, the NFA was designated the 7th Citizen Battery (NFA). From 1926 to 1932, it was the 2nd Citizen Battery (NFA). During World War II it was the 2nd Field Regiment (NFA).

From 1960 to 1968, the regiment was affiliated to the University of Natal, and was called the Natal University Regiment.

Affiliated Division

• 8th South African Armoured Division
  • 84 Motorised Brigade

Leadership

Regimental Symbols

The NFA just after firing the salute at the Gunner's Memorial Service in Durban 2014

• Regimental motto: Armis Arte Audacia.

Battle honours

Although artillery units in the South African Army do not usually receive battle honours, the NFA was awarded the honour

• South-West Africa 1915

Freedom of the City

The NFA just after firing the salute at the Gunner's Memorial Service in Durban 2014

The Regiment was awarded the Freedom of Durban on 28 September 1962,^[6] the Freedom of Pietermaritzburg on 29 September 1962 and the Freedom of eMnambithi / Ladysmith on 2 July 2011.^[1]

References