Tanzania People's Defence Force - History

History

The formation of the TPDF was a result of the disbandment of the Tanganyika Rifles after a mutiny in 1964. Soldiers of the regiment mutinied on 19 January 1964. The Mutiny began in Colito Barracks in Dar es Salaam, then spread to with . Soldiers of the 1st Battalion, Tanganyika Rifles deposed their officers an occupied key government buildings, including the State House (the President's residence), police stations, radio stations, and transport terminals. President Nyerere and Vice President Kawawa went into hiding to protect themselves. Minister of External Affairs and Defence Oscar Kambona negotiated with the soldiers. On 20 January 1964 soldiers at Kalewa barracks in Tabora, plus the company stationed at Nachingwea, a new barracks, followed suit. Looting of shops took place. On 25 January 1964 it was decided to request British aid, and 45 Commando Royal Marines from HMS Centaur were dispatched. The mutineers were quickly routed and subdued.

The mutiny was over pay, promotions, the removal of British officers and Africanisation. Julius Nyerere conceded that the "soldiers had genuine grievances and the demands presented a perfectly reasonable case." However, he could not tolerate a mutiny. The mutiny raised questions about the place of the military in the newly independent Tanganyika — a military under a foreign command and not integrated into the country’s system.

After the mutiny, the army was disbanded and fresh recruits were sought within the Tanganyika African National Union (TANU) youth wing as a source. For the first few years of the TPDF, the army was even smaller than the 2,000 strong Tanganyika Rifles, the air force was minuscule, and no navy had yet been formed. However the army was four battalions strong by 1967.

From 1964 to 1974, the TPDF was commanded by Marisho S.H. Sarakikya, trained at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, who was promoted from lieutenant to brigadier in 1964 and became the force's first commander.

In 1972 the IISS listed the army with 10,000 personnel, four infantry battalions, 20 T-59, 14 Chinese T-62 light tanks, some BTR-40 and BTR-152, Soviet field artillery and Chinese mortars. 'Spares short and not all equipment was serviceable.' (IISS 1972-73, p. 40)

In 1992 the IISS listed the army with 45,000 personnel (some 20,000 conscripts), 3 division headquarters, 8 infantry brigades, one tank brigade, two field artillery battalions, two Anti-aircraft artillery battalions (6 batteries), two mortar, two anti-tank battalions, one engineer regiment (battalion sized), and one Surface to air missile battalion with SA-3 and SA-6. Equipment included 30 Chinese Type 59 and 32 T-54/55 main battle tanks.