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Special Service Battalion | |
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Active | 1 May 1933 – 1953 |
Country | Union of South Africa |
Allegiance | Union of South Africa |
Branch | South African Army |
Nickname(s) | SSB (English)/SDB (Afrikaans) |
Motto(s) | Eendrag Maakt Mag (Unity is Strength) |
Engagements | World War II |
Commanders | |
Notable commanders | Lt Col George Brink Lt Col CEG (Papa) Brits |
The Special Service Battalion (SSB) is a South African military unit formed on 1 May 1933[1] under the patronage of Oswald Pirow, Minister of Defence. The object was to give training to youths, between the ages of 17 and 23, who, in the wake of the 1929 depression, could find no suitable employment on leaving school.[2]