South African Army Artillery Open Day, 4 Artillery Regiment Potchefstroom, 29 August 2009

Article by Captain Werner Joubert, Communication Officer School of Artillery
Photographs by various freelance photographers

On Saturday 29 August 2009 an estimated ten thousand people descended on South African Army 4 Artillery Regiment to witness the power and mighty of the South African Army Artillery in action. It was time again for the annual South African Army Artillery Open Day.

The day started around 07:30 when gates opened for the public, and oh boy, did the public answer the call. Vehicles were backed up, at one stage, for kilometres onto the Ventersdorp road and a constant flow of traffic entered South African Army 4 Artillery Regiment. The stage was set for one of the biggest South African Army Artillery Open Days in history.

Spectators

The South African Army Artillery demonstration started off with a static demonstration of all the Artillery Prime Mission Equipment, including an Industry demonstration prototype capability in the form of the 105mm Artillery Gun from Denel Land Systems. The static demo also included the new Unmanned Artillery Observation System and various other Artillery support systems and equipment that were on display for the public.

Youth Spectator

Youth Spectator

Spectators were transported with busses to the firing positions for the live fire demonstration. The live demonstration started off with two South African Army Artillery Officers parachuting onto the deployment area that was in front of the crowds. Members from the South African Army Intelligence Formation then conducted a series of small calibre attacks. This was followed with the engagement of the Artillery guns that were started off by a Helicopter Assault with members from 41 Battery (the Mortar Battery). The Mortars then engaged a target area followed by the GV-5s, GV-6s and ultimately the Multiple Rocket Launchers (MRL). The live demonstration culminated in the highlight of the day, a full-blown Regiment Engagement involving all launchers.

Mortar Engagement

The Multiple Rocket Launchers started the engagement and fired a total of five ripples (forty rockets per launcher) with support from the Mortars with seven bombs per launcher, the GV-5s and GV-6s, each with five rounds, and this all happened at the same time. The true power of the South African Army Artillery was demonstrated to the public like never before, Needless to say the crowds were ecstatic and thrilled beyond what anyone could hope for. Afterwards many spectators just sat in awe of what they had just witnessed - the message was loud and clear: If you are on the wrong side of South African Army Artillery you will not survive.

Multiple Rocket Launcher

The South African Army Artillery showcased its capabilities and proved to each and every spectator that the South African Army Artillery and ultimately the South African Army is and always be a NATIONAL ASSET to the public of South Africa. The South African Army Gunners showed that they are capable and reliable soldiers that can answer the call to serve and protect our beloved country.

Multiple Rocket Launcher

GV-6

During his speech the General Officer Commanding of the South African Army Artillery Formation, Brigadier General M.R. Notshweleka, encourage young men and women who are completing their matric to join the South African Army Artillery and become part of the most feared and respected Corps on the African continent. He also emphasised the role of women in the South African Army Artillery and ensured the public that the myth of the South African Army being a man's world was no longer true and that women played and equally important part in the success of the Artillery as their male counterparts.

Brigadier General Notshweleka invited the public to book their diaries for next year's South African Army Artillery Open Day and with that we can only say - ONCE A GUNNER ALWAYS A GUNNER.