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| Natal Field Artillery King Cetshwayo Artillery Regiment | |
|---|---|
 SANDF Natal Field Artillery emblem | |
| Active | September 1862 to present |
| Country |  South Africa |
| Allegiance | |
| Branch | |
| Type | Reserve artillery |
| Role | Medium (self propelled) Artillery (G6) |
| Part of | South African Army Artillery Formation Army Conventional Reserve |
| Garrison/HQ | Lord's Grounds,Durban29°51′02″S31°1′22″E / 29.85056°S 31.02278°E /-29.85056; 31.02278 |
| Mottos | Armis Arte Audacia (With Arms, Skill and Bravery) |
| Equipment | GV6 155 mm self-propelledhowitzer |
| Engagements | Second Anglo-Boer War World War I World War II South African Border War |
| Battle honours | South West Africa 1915 |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Major Craig Nel |
| Insignia | |
| Collar Badge | Bursting grenade with seven flames |
| Beret Colour | Oxford Blue |
| Artillery Battery Emblems |  |
| Artillery Beret Bar circa 1992 |  |
| Abbreviation | KCAR |
TheKing Cetshwayo Artillery Regiment (formerly theNatal Field Artillery) is a reserveartilleryregiment of theSouth African Army.
TheNatal Field Artillery was raised in 1862 as part of theDurban Volunteer Guard, and later became a unit in its own right.[1]
The regiment took part in theSecond Anglo-Boer War[2] and the South African invasion ofGerman South-West Africa during theFirst World War.
Although artillery units in the South African Army do not usually receivebattle honours, the NFA was awarded the honour"South-West Africa 1915."
During theSecond World War, the regiment formed part of the2nd South African Division and was captured during the fall ofTobruk, part of theWestern Desert campaign in North Africa fightingErwin Rommel'sAfrika Korps. This occurred in a series of engagements called theBattle of Gazala. One of these engagements was Rommel's attack against Allied forces near Tobruk was on 13 June 1942. The21st Panzer Division attacked South African positions on Rigel Ridge in the middle of a sandstorm. This was the 6th South African Anti-tank battery of the 2nd field regiment.[3] The South African gunners kept firing until all their guns were destroyed, allowing the withdrawal of other Allied formations.[4]: 98 The guns were commanded individually and fired at the Panzers over open sights. The German tanks took up positions behind the ridge with anti-tank guns placed between them. The Germans put down a devastating fire onto the South African positions. One of the columns of Panzers attacked them from the rear, surrounding them and cutting off all escape. Nevertheless, the gunners kept firing until all eight guns had been destroyed. About half the gun detachments were killed and wounded, including the battery commander and many officers. When the battery had been silenced, the enemy tanks approached cautiously and the South African gunners were made prisoners. The entire Natal Field Artillery Regiment was captured and would not be re-formed until after the war.[5] On that day the Germans captured over 3,000 Allied prisoners.[6]: 163
After the Second World War, the regiment eventually became attached to the84 Motorised Brigade of the8th South African Armoured Division.[citation needed]
From 1913 to 1926, the NFA was designated the7th Citizen Battery (NFA). From 1926 to 1932, it was the2nd Citizen Battery (NFA). During the Second World War, it was the2nd Field Regiment (NFA).
From 1960 to 1968, the regiment was affiliated to theUniversity of Natal and was called theNatal University Regiment.
In August 2019, 52 Reserve Force units had their names changed to reflect the diverse military history of South Africa.[7] The Natal Field Artillery became theKing Cetshwayo Artillery Regiment, and have 3 years to design and implement new regimental insignia.[8]
| From | Honorary Colonel | To |
| From | Commanding Officer | To |
| 1981 | Cmdt R. Lovell-GreeneMMM JCD | 1989 |
| 15 February 2026 | Maj Craig Nel | Present |
| From | Regimental Sergeants Major | To |
| 15 February 2026 | MWO James Rumble | Present |
| Awarded |
|---|
 |
The regiment was awarded the Freedom ofDurban on 28 September 1962,[9] the Freedom ofPietermaritzburg on 29 September 1962 and the Freedom of eMnambithi /Ladysmith on 2 July 2011.[1]
An extract from his memoirs
