"South African Armor" Topic

Recently been doing some research on the SA army just prior to the start of the Border War in 1966. Have some questions on the armored cars in use. A couple of sources indicate that Marmon-Herrington Mk.IV's were being used until the early 80's. But the SA army also adopted the Eland Mk.2 in the early 60's and were being delivered to units throughout the 60's. Any info on just how many Marmon-Herrington Mk.IV's were in use at the beginning of the Border War and were they used in combat considering their age?

Also have seen some info on the Pretoria Regiment and the Pretoria Highlanders. I know both were eventually converted to armored units, but have no dates.

I don't know how many were still in service, though they were definitely still on the books until the 80s, as you say. However, remember that the SADF had a very large reservist component and they were probably held by reserve units, (along with other obsolete kit such as Comet tanks and Sexton Guns). I've not heard of their being used in action.

Unless held by obscure reserve units, I suspect a few may have been used by police units.

In the movie, "The Gods Must Be Crazy" one or two (?), one is used by a police unit. Sourcing spare parts to keep them running must have been a nightmare.

Yes, I seem to remember a photo of one belonging to the SA Railway Police.

After reading the original post by rdg1125 I had a quick chat with several of my brothers who served in the border war.

The oldest brother served in 1972 and his unit used the Eland and trained on Ferrets & Elands. He cannot remember ever seeing a Marmon Herrington MKIV around at any training base or in action.

Several of the brothers had cameras with them and I recently had the privilege to revisit their pictures taken during the period 1972-1982. There were pics of some Comets as as ARV's and many pics of Ferrets and also some Saracens. But no MKIV's.

This obviously does not directly answer your question regarding pre 1966.

I would say that its unlikely that any MKIV's saw action in the SA border war.

They were probably held in reserve after the introduction of the Eland.

Prior to 1966 it is likely that there might still have been some in frontline service either with regular SADF or Police Units.

Its likely that some might have seen combat in the Rhodesian bush war though.

There is one or two in the police museum in Zimbabwe from the 1965-80 period.

I run a Facebook page ModernAfricanBushwars ,w/ many Veterans of the SADF Border wars. If your on Facebook ,check it out and ask the question.,or I can ask it for you.

jurgenation – thanks for the offer.I rarely visit Facebook anymore; However, I did apply to join the Yahoo Group. Hope to hear back soon.