| 1st Parachute Battalion | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Active | 1 April 1961 – present |
| Country |  South Africa |
| Branch |
|
| Type | Infantry (paratroopers) |
| Role | Airborne Infantry |
| Size | Battalion |
| Garrison/HQ | Tempe, Bloemfontein |
| Nickname(s) | Parabats |
| Motto(s) | Ex alto vincimus (We conquer from Above) |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Lt. Col. D. Mziki |
| Notable commanders |
|
1 Parachute Battalion (Ex Alto Vincimus)[1] is the only full-time paratroop unit of the South African Army. It was founded on 1 April 1961, along with the Parachute Battalion. The name of this unit was changed to Parachute Training Centre after 1998. It was the first battalion within 44 Parachute Brigade until 1999 when the brigade was downsized to 44 Parachute Regiment
The battalion has performed many active operations in battle – producing many highly decorated soldiers – in the South African Border War from 1966 to 1989. Their best known action was the controversial Battle of Cassinga in 1978.[2]
The unit's nickname "Parabat" is a portmanteau derived from the words "Parachute Battalion".
- ^ Els, Paul J (2010). We conquer from above. PelsA Books. ISBN 978-0-620-46738-4.
- ^ McGill Alexander, Edward (July 2003). The Cassinga Raid (MA Thesis) (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 24 November 2014. Retrieved 29 December 2014.