71 Motorised Brigade (South Africa)
71 Motorised Brigade was a formation of 7th South African Infantry Division, a combined arms force consisting of infantry, armour and artillery. History Origin 17 Brigade 71 Brigade can trace its origins back to a structure in the late 1960s, called 17 Brigade, which was headquartered in Cape Town. 17 Brigade was housed in the Castle with Western Province Command. On 1 August 1974, through a reorganization of the Army’s conventional force, the name was changed to 71 Motorised Brigade. Initial Structure Under this reorganisation, the following units were transferred from Western Province Command to the new command: Cape Field Artillery, Cape Town Highlanders, Regiment Westelike Provinsie, Regiment Boland, Regiment Oranjerivier, 3 Field Squadron, 74 Signal Squadron, 3 Maintenance Unit, 30 Field Workshop and 3 Field Ambulance. Higher Command 71 Motorised Brigade then resorted under the new 7 Division. Changes over time 71 Motorised Brigade structure was not static, units were substituted as needs were adapted to. The increased use of armour in the Border War necessitated a decision for each brigade to have a tank capability. Prince Alfred's Guard was nominated to be 71 Motorised Brigade's tank regiment and was transferred from Eastern Province Command to 71 Motorised Brigade