| Union Defence Force | |
|---|---|
| Unie-Verdedigingsmag (Afrikaans) | |
&sq=Facebook&lang=en&file=File:Union_Defence_Force_emblem.svg) Emblem of the UDF, surmounted by the Tudor Crown | |
&sq=Facebook&lang=en&file=File:Ensign_of_the_South_African_Defence_Force_(1947%E2%80%931981).svg) Ensign of the UDF, from 1947 onwards | |
| Motto | Unity makes Might (Afrikaans: Eendrag Maak Mag) |
| Founded | 1 July 1912 |
| Disbanded | 1957 |
| Service branches |  South African Army South African Air Force South African Navy |
| Headquarters | Pretoria, Transvaal, South Africa |
| Related articles | |
| History | World War I Rand Rebellion World War II Berlin Blockade Korean War |
| Ranks | South African military ranks |
| Part of a series on the |
| Military history of South Africa |
|---|
| Conflicts |
| National Defence Force |
| Historical forces |
| Lists |
The Union Defence Force (UDF) (Afrikaans: Unie-Verdedigingsmag) comprised the armed forces of South Africa from 1 July 1912, when the Defence Act (No 13 of 1912) took effect, two years after the creation of the Union of South Africa, until 1957 when it was reorganised and renamed the South African Defence Force (SADF).