South African Marine Corps
| South African Corps of Marines | |
|---|---|
Simonstown Naval Base entrances were protected by guns of the Marines coastal and AA artillery | |
| Founded | 1951 |
| Disbanded | 1 October 1955 |
| Country | South Africa |
| Branch | South African Navy |
| Role | Coastal and anti-aircraft artillery |
| Size | Division |
| 1 Marine Brigade | |
|---|---|
1 Marine Bde crest | |
| Active | 1979–1990 |
| Disbanded | 1990 |
| Country | South Africa |
| Branch | South African Navy |
| Type | Amphibious light infantry |
| Role | Marine infantry |
| Size | Brigade |
| Commanders | |
| First OC 1 Mrn Bde | Capt (SAN) R. (Dick) Shelver |
| Second and last OC 1 Marine Bde | Capt (SAN) Michael St.J. Thomson |
| Insignia | |
| 1 Mrn Bde Marine Breast Badge | |
South Africa currently does not have a marine corps, though in the past it did. It was originally set up as a sub-branch of the South African Navy during the apartheid era, with the primary purpose of protecting the country's harbours (1951–1955). Then it was recreated in 1979 during the South African Border War as 1 Marine Brigade with the aim of serving as marine infantry (1979–1990). Today, the SAN Maritime Reaction Squadron is the closest analogue to a marine corps South Africa has.