Ihawu Field Engineer Regiment
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{more citations needed|date=January 2021}}
{{infobox military unit
|unit_name=3 Field Engineer Regiment
Ihawu Field Engineer Regiment
|image= SANDF 3 Field Engineer emblem ver 2.png
|caption= 3 Field Engineer emblem
|dates=1926{{snd}}present
|country={{ZAF}}
|allegiance={{plainlist|
- {{flag|South Africa|1928|name=Republic of South Africa}}
- {{flag|South Africa|1994|name=Republic of South Africa}}
}}
|branch={{plainlist|
- {{army|South Africa|1981}}
- {{army|South Africa|1994}}
}}
|type= Military engineering
|role=
|size= Regiment
|command_structure=South African Army Engineer Formation
Army Conventional Reserve
|garrison= Fort iKapa Military Base, Akasia, Cape Town
|garrison_label=
|nickname= 3 Field
|patron=
|motto=
|colors= Guardsman Red and Oxford Blue{{cite web|last1=Englebrecht|first1=Leon|title=Fact file: The SA Engineering Corps|url=http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6558:fact-file-the-sa-engineering-corps-&catid=79:fact-files&Itemid=159|website=DefenceWeb.co.za|publisher=DefenceWeb|access-date=20 October 2014|date=9 February 2010}}
|colors_label=
|march=
|mascot=
|equipment=
|equipment_label=
|battles={{plainlist|
- South African Border War
- Operation Savannah
}}
|anniversaries=
|decorations=
|battle_honours=
|battle_honours_label=
|disbanded=
|commander1=
|commander1_label=
|commander2=
|commander2_label=
|commander3=
|commander3_label=
|commander4=
|commander4_label=
|notable_commanders=
|identification_symbol=Bursting grenade with nine flames
|identification_symbol_label=Collar Badge
|identification_symbol_2=Oxford blue
|identification_symbol_2_label=Beret Colour
|identification_symbol_3=File:SANDF Engineers Company emblems.jpg
|identification_symbol_3_label=Engineers Company Emblems
|identification_symbol_4=File:SANDF engineers beret bar.jpg
|identification_symbol_4_label= Engineers Beret Bar circa 1992
|identification_symbol_5=IFER
|identification_symbol_5_label= Abbreviation
}}
The Ihawu Field Engineer Regiment (formerly 3 Field Engineer Regiment) is a reserve engineer regiment of the South African Army.
History
=Origin=
3 Field Engineer Regiment was formed in 1926 as three engineer companies.
=World War II=
In 1940, 3 Field was mobilized for World War 2 and saw service in North Africa, where it participated in the desert campaign and the Battle of El Alamein. 3rd Field Company was attached to 1st S.A. Division and played an important part in the Division's first operation - the raid to capture El Wak - by ensuring water supplies. The Company served with distinction throughout the campaign in Ethiopia and Abyssinia. In one of the strangest of combined operations, No 1 Section was required to set bangalore torpedoes to blow up the outer and inner barbed wire entanglements protecting Fort Todenyang on the shore of Lake Rudolf.
By 1946 the unit was designated as 3 Field Squadron and along with 1 Field Squadron from Durban, 2 Field Squadron from Port Elizabeth and 8 Field Park Squadron from Cape Town, formed 2 Field Engineer Regiment.{{Cite web|url=http://www.warinangola.com/Default.aspx?tabid=1239&ParameterString=South%20African%20Army&ParameterString2=Engineers|title = South African Unit Profiles}}
=Border War=
By 1975, 3 Field was mobilised for service in South West Africa for Operation Savanah, and was in service until withdrawal in 1988.
=Post 1994=
Since 1994 the regiment maintained a small footprint due to financial restrictions. 3 Field still participates in Exercise Bailey each year.
3 Field celebrated its 80th anniversary in 2006.
==Name Change==
In August 2019, 52 Reserve Force units had their names changed to reflect the diverse military history of South Africa.{{cite news|url=https://www.defenceweb.co.za/featured/new-reserve-force-unit-names/|title=New Reserve Force unit names|publisher=defenceWeb|date=7 August 2019|access-date=9 January 2021}} 3 Field Engineer Regiment became the Ihawu Field Engineer Regiment, and have 3 years to design and implement new regimental insignia.{{cite news|url=https://www.iol.co.za/news/opinion/renaming-process-has-resulted-in-an-army-structure-that-truly-represents-sa-30856190|title=Renaming process has resulted in an Army structure that truly represents SA|date=16 August 2019|publisher=IOL|access-date=8 January 2020}}
Insignia
=Previous Insignia=
Leadership
{{Post-start|caption=3 Field Engineer Regiment Leadership|float=}}
{{Post-header|post-name=Honorary Colonels}}
{{Post-member|from-date=n.d.|post-incumbent=unknown|to-date=Present}}
{{Post-header|post-name=Commanding Officers}}
{{Post-member|from-date=Jan 1983|post-incumbent=Cmdt J.S. Manning|to-date=Jun 1984}}
{{Post-member|from-date=Jul 1984|post-incumbent=Cmdt R.C. Cameron-Williger|to-date=Aug 1986}}
{{Post-member|from-date=Sep 1986|post-incumbent=Cmdt K.H.W. Sheel|to-date=Jun 1991}}
{{Post-member|from-date=Jun 1991|post-incumbent=Cmdt A.J. Nocton-Smith|to-date=Present}}
{{Post-header|post-name=Regimental Sergeants Major}}
{{Post-member|from-date=n.d.|post-incumbent=Unknown|to-date=n.d.}}
{{Post-end}}
References
{{reflist|2}}
External links
{{portal|South Africa}}
{{SA Army Units}}
Category:Engineer regiments of South Africa
Category:Military units and formations in Cape Town
Category:Military units and formations established in 1926
{{SouthAfrica-mil-stub}}