Last modified: 2002-09-21 by jarig bakker
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![[South Africa - Army]](../images/z/za^arm.gif)
by Paige Herring, 12 March 1998
The flags of the SANDF are as described above but with the following
detail: Army - springbok head in emblem
All these flags are based on the designs used by the former SADF, with
the naval ensign being modified slightly as indicated above. A history
of the Flags of the Union Defence Forces and of the South African Defence
Force 1912 - 1993 is available as SAVA JOURNAL 2/93.
Bruce Berry, 26 Nov 1996
![[South Africa - Army - 1951]](../images/z/za^arm51.gif)
by Paige Herring, 12 March 1998
First Adopted in 1951, there have been 4 version of the South African
Army (SAA) flag. The basic design has not changed. The general design is
a [sealed permanent force] orange field with the national flag in the canton.
Proportions have been 2:3. The first version had a gold springbok head
in the lower fly quarter. The size was 1/3 of the width. This version was
in effect from 1951-1966.
Paige Herring, 12 March 1998
![[South Africa - Army - 1966]](../images/z/za^arm66.gif)
by Paige Herring, 12 March 1998
From 1966-1973, the second SAA flag was flown. The regulations in 1966
added two crossed silver swords behind the head. This design encountered
many drawbacks as there were no design specifications; therefore, the flag
was not uniform when manufactured.
Paige Herring, 12 March 1998
![[South Africa - Army - 1973]](../images/z/za^arm73.gif)
by Paige Herring, 12 March 1998
In 1973, the design was altered again. Uniform specifications as to
the badge were manifest. The gold springbok head couped at the neck was
centered on a gold outlined ground plan of the Castle of Good Hope. The
ground plan was the same orange as before. Also, a fimbriation was added
around the RSA national flag. This design remained unaltered until 1994.
In 1994, the present design was approved on 11 August 1994 and presented
on 11 November 1994. The currrent SAA flag merely substituted the current
national
flag for the old one.
Sources: SAVA Journal 2/93, "Flags of the Union Defence Forces and
of the South African Defence Force, 1912-1993;" SAVA Newsletter,
11/94."
Paige Herring, 12 March 1998
As far as I know, the Castle of Good Hope is a fortress in Cape Town.
It is of great historical significance to South Africans as both a military
institution and as a part of its colonial history (it is the oldest building
in South Africa). It was erected by the Dutch East India Company and was
completed in 1679. According to the SAVA Journal that I got the information
out of, the Castle of Good Hope has and is still used for military administration.
Paige Herring, 16 March 1998
It was the Imperial Light Horse. When SA became a republic in 1964 the
badge had to change. The Royal Standard (viewer's left) became the Union
flag of RSA. The UJ (viewer's right) became a horizontal bicolour (but
in one colour metal), and I can't remember what it is supposed to represent.
This was a Transvaal regiment, but it is not the Transvaal
flag. The scroll at the base of the flags until 1965 read "Imperium
et Libertas", and this changed to "Patria et Libertas".
There is a picture of the pre-1965 badge at this
site.
T.F. Mills, 18 May 2000
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