101 Battalion was one of eight South West African (now Namibian

Namibian

Namibian may refer to:* Something of, from, or related to Namibia, a country in southern Africa on the Atlantic coast.* A person from Namibia, or of Namibian descent. For information about the Namibian people, see Demographics of Namibia and Culture of Namibia...

) military units that made up the South West African Territorial Force (SWATF) and was the final name of the Owambo Battalion - South West Africa was a territory administered by South Africa

South Africa

The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...

 under United Nations

United Nations

The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...

 Mandate. 101 had a brief life, but was highly effective at their task, and whilst not being seen as a Special Forces unit (with the exception of their Pathfinder or Reconnaissance sections), is recognized as a 'specialised force' unit.
With the advent of the South West Africa People's Organization's intensified assault on Owamboland

Ovamboland

Ovamboland was the name given by English-speaking visitors to the land occupied by the Ovambo people in what is now northern Namibia and southern Angola...

, the South African Army

South African Army

The South African Army is the army of South Africa, first formed after the Union of South Africa was created in 1910.The South African military evolved within the tradition of frontier warfare fought by commando forces, reinforced by the Afrikaners' historical distrust of large standing armies...

 decided to expand the old Owambo Battalion to a strength of about 200 men.