Copy/paste Borneo: Malaysian Confrontation, 1963 to 1966# During this campaign both Battalions of the Regiment played key roles in the defeat of the Indonesian forces who had set out to disrupt the newly formed Malaysian Federation. Operations took place in mainland West Malaysia as well as the East Malaysian states of Sarawak and Sabah (Borneo), often against determined and skilful Indonesian regulars who soon showed that this was to be conventional warfare rather than the guerrilla warfare of Malaya. From heavily defended bases the British forces patrolled, set ambushes, countered Indonesian incursions and later carried the fighting to the enemys territory in cross-border operations. The two Battalions between them eliminated more enemy and won more awards for gallantry than any other Regiment of the Brigade of Gurkhas. Awards included one VC, two DSOs, nine MCs, two DCMs and eight MMs. Success was due to skill and dedication at every level. 1st Battalion 1st Battalion served in East Malaysia for four operational tours (a total of 26 months spent on active service). Amongst many notable actions, two stand out. The first occurred early in 1964 when 120 Indonesian soldiers bound for Tawau and Sandakan on the east coast of East Malaysia surprised and killed a number of Malay soldiers at Kalabakan. At this time the Battalion was at Sungei Udang Camp near Malacca in West Malaysia. Ordered to move on 2nd January, elements of the Battalion were airborne within four hours, and the whole Battalion was complete in East Malaysia within 72 hours. The enemy were found and contacted by 8th January and during the next two months the Battalion eliminated this entire Indonesian incursionary force. The Commanding Officer, Lt Col E.J.S. Burnett, was awarded the DSO. The second incident occurred during the Battalions fourth operational tour when Major C.J. Pike won the DSO as a Company Commander for two exceptionally fierce actions at Bau on 5th and 25th March 1966, when D Company accounted for no less than 50 Indonesians. Besides these successful operations in East Malaysia, in September 1964 the Battalion was responsible for the complete destruction of an Indonesian attempt to carry the war into West Malaysia, when a party of 96 Indonesian paratroopers was dropped near Labis. Brought in at a moments notice to counter this incursion, the Battalion quickly accounted for over half the enemy force. Major R.M. Haddow was killed while leading his Company during this operation, and the action is depicted in a painting by Terence Cuneo that now hangs in the Gurkha Museum, Winchester. 2nd Battalion During Confrontation 2nd Battalion completed five operational tours in East Malaysia (a total of 30 months spent on active service), completely dominating its areas of responsibility and inflicting numerous defeats on the Indonesian enemy. Notable actions included the Track 6 Battle (6th March 1964), and Op Super Shell (29th August 1965), when an enemy camp was destroyed in a daring cross-border attack. The climax to the Confrontation Campaign came with the award of the Victoria Cross to Lance Corporal Rambahadur Limbu of C Company, 2nd Battalion, for his valour during the fierce action fought on a hill near Serikin on the border between East Malaysia and Kalimantan on 21st November 1965. This award, the first Victoria Cross won by a 10th Gurkha, coming as it did towards the end of the campaign, set the seal on four years of dedicated military endeavour: the Regiment had once again demonstrated the professionalism and élan that are its hall-marks. Rambahadurs citation is reproduced in full below.
Posted on: Fri, 22 Aug 2014 04:25:50 +0000