The Ingobamakhosi Carbineers (formerly Natal Carbineers) is an infantry unit of the South African Army.

History

Origins

The regiment traces its roots to 1854 but it was formally raised on 15 January 1855 and gazetted on 13 March of that year, as the Natal Carbineers.

With the Union Defence Force

In 1913, the regiment's two ‘wings’ became known as the First and Second Mounted Rifles (Natal Carbineers) and in 1934 they re-assumed the name 1st and 2nd Natal Carbineers.

The following year, they became the Royal Natal Carbineers, a title which remained in use until the country became a republic in 1961.

Present

The regiment has been active since 1994 in internal duties in support of the police as well as border protection. They have also contributed to external peace-keeping missions to inter alia MONUSCO in the DRC.

Name change

In August 2019, 52 Reserve Force units had their names changed to reflect the diverse military history of South Africa. The Natal Carbineers became the Ingobamakhosi Carbineers, and have 3 years to design and implement new regimental insignia. The new name was decided on to reflect the merging of two proud military traditions. which was a Zulu Regiment in the 19th century and Carbineers to reflect the horse-borne, carbine bearing soldiers that formed the regiment. A loose translation of the new name could be "The King's Own Carbineers".

List of campaign and battle honours

450px|right|thumb|The Natal Carbineers Regimental Colour. Once a new insignia has been approved, these Colours will be laid up and a new Colour will be designed for the Ingobamakhosi Carbineers Regimental Colour

Since its inception, the Natal Carbineers have participated in every campaign in KwaZulu-Natal. Their baptism of fire came during the Langalibalele Rebellion in 1873 where they suffered their first casualties in action in the Drakensberg. Subsequently, during the Anglo-Zulu War, the Carbineers suffered minor losses at the Battle of Isandlwana on 22 January 1879.

South Africa 1879

The Natal Carbineers participated in the invasion of Zululand in January 1879, and on 22 January, 23 members of the Regiment perished in the famous battle of Isandlwana.

  • The Juba: The Juba River was the Italian Army's major defensive line in Somaliland. Several actions were fought during January and February 1941, at Gobwen and Giumbo, but the period is best remembered for the disastrous ambush on 22 February of a Carbineer patrol at Gelib. Twelve men lost their lives.|to-date=April 1903