Sunday, January 6, 2013

Service at Butterworth Air Base 1970 – 1989 in Context

Prepared in Support of the RCB Claim for Recognition of Service


Introduction
In many ways Butterworth in the 1970s and 80s was an ideal posting. It offered air force families in particular the chance of an overseas posting with additional allowances and on the surface it appeared exotic and peaceful. Because of strict press censorship and the desire of the Malaysian Government not to unduly alarm the local populace or harm the economy little was said about the existing and serious communist threat. As the local population generally had little to fear from the communists from 1951 on this decision seems well founded. It is perhaps because of this decision that little has been written on the subject and that nature of the insurgency and its impact on the country is not generally understood.


As this paper demonstrates, Australian personnel on strength at Butterworth Air Base (BAB) during the period of the second communist insurgency were exposed to ‘objective danger’ and as such their service should be recognised as ‘war-like’.


The Threat
The second insurgency commenced on 17 June 1968 when ‘the MCP[1] launched an ambush against the Security Forces in the area of Kroh–Bentong in the northern part of [sic]Malaysian Peninsular. They achieved a major success, killing 17 members of Security Forces[2].’ Kroh-Bentong is less than 80 kilometres in a straight line from Butterworth. In the lead up to the second insurgency the communists had ‘developed new techniques of guerrilla warfare and learned much from the Vietnam War on the techniques of fighting guerrilla warfare’[3].


The modus operandi of guerrillas is hit and run attacks by small groups against much larger military forces. Tactics involve sabotage, ambush, raids and petty warfare. The elements of surprise and ‘extraordinary mobility’ are used to harass the enemy[4]. Following the communist split in the early 1970s (see below) Chin Peng’s group ‘sent out “Shock Brigades” – small units which moved south down the peninsula not only to pick off isolated police posts and Security Forces, jungle patrols but also through propaganda to rekindle support for the M.C.P.’ from, their base on the Thai-Malaysian border.[5]


A 1973 report prepared by the United States’ Central Intelligence Agency describes a careful and methodical re-establishment of a very competent communist guerrilla force in North West Malaysia.


By mid-1968, some 600 armed Communist insurgents … began to move gradually from inactive to active status under stimulation from Peking. They moved back across the border [from Thailand], first to reconnoitre and then permanently to position themselves in small base areas in northern West Malaysia. The CTs - - that is, Communist Terrorists or members of the MNLA[6] – numbered about 600 regular armed cadres at the close of the Emergency (1948-1960), expanded to about 1,000 by 1968, to about 1,600 in mid-1970, and to about 1,800 in mid-1972. The slow upward progression in the number of armed insurgents represents a positive gain, and the existence of small bases capable of accommodating about 40-60 CTs points toward a long-term potential expansion.’[7]
The Peking-inspired revival of the armed insurgency can be fixed to the date of 17 June 1968 when a force of the MNLA for the first time since the late 1950s attacked a Malaysian security force unit on Malaysian territory. This well-trained Communist force numbered about 40 armed and uniformed men, and their ambush was effectively carried out. The evidence is that the revival of the insurgency in mid-1968 reflected from the start considerable military competence: good planning, tactical caution, good execution. CT units were armed and given uniforms in Southern Thailand and were infiltrated skilfully into Malaysian territory with the initial mission of reconnoitring and re-establishing contacts with underground insurgents. Their mission later became that of making selective attacks on Malaysian security force units and undertaking selective sabotage of key installations in West Malaysia. Toward the end of 1968, the number of NMLA – or CT – incursions from southern Thailand gradually increased. In late 1970, it was solidly confirmed that small groups of CT infiltrators had permanently established small bases for inside-Malaysia operations – a development occurring for the first time since the late 1950s. Later, the base camps were reported to be capable of supporting 40-60 CTs, as they included food caches.
The CTs were still building their units and were not in a phase of general offensive operations. But they did engage in selective strikes against government forces. A major incident involving the mining by CT forces of the main west coast road linking Malaysia and Thailand took place in late October 1969. On 10 December, a strategic installation was hit: a group of CTs blew up the 100-foot-long railway bridge on Malaysian territory about two miles southwest of Padang Besar, Perlis Province, severing for a few days the main railway link between Thailand and Malaysia. Gradually the CTs increased the number of cross-border incursions, their calculation having been to demonstrate their ability to operate on Malaysian territory without suffering extensive combat losses. They wanted to test their own ability to safely infiltrate, to hit important installations and roads, and to move bigger units across undetected. Their planning was careful, the pace deliberate, and the actions generally low risk [emphasis added].[8]


According to Ong Wei Chong by ‘1971 … guerrilla strength had grown to an estimated 1,200 with another 3,000 cadres in the villages. By 1971, the Malayan Communists had infiltrated their former village-bases in Kelantan, Kedah and Perak and were operating along the same lines as they had done in the 1950s[9]. Penang’s Province Wellesley (now Seberang Perai), in which BAB is located, shares its northern and eastern borders with Kedah and its southern border with Perak. Kedah is identified as an area where the communists were most active[10], while Perak is described as being an ‘important and vital … bastion’ in the war against the communists during the second insurgency[11].


The communist’s 8th Assault Unit with ‘a strength of between 60 and 70 CTs’ was active in South Kedah, including the area around Kulim, until forced to withdraw by Malaysian security forces in 1978[12]. Kulim is less than 30 kilometres by road from Butterworth.


By October 1974 the MCP leadership had split into three different factions following internal conflicts going back to early 1970[13]. Cheah Boon Keng says that consequently ‘each faction tried to outdo the other in militancy and violence’[14].


Penang Attacked During ‘New Emergency
Writing for the journal Pacific Affairs summer edition of 1977 Richard Stubbs says:


In September 1975 the Malaysian Prime Minister, Tun Razak, described the recent resurgence of communist guerrilla activity in Peninsula Malaysia as the “New Emergency”. By making the comparison [to the 48-60 Emergency], the Prime Minister clearly signalled the seriousness with which the Malaysian Government viewed the renewal of the communist threat … Not only had there been a number of spectacular terrorist attacks – the bombing of the capital’s War Memorial; the assassination of Perak’s Chief of Police; and the grenade and rocket attacks on the Police Field Headquarters, Kuala Lumpur military air base and several camps in Johore, Port Dickson and Penang – but also, and perhaps more ominously, there had been a steady increase in the preceding three years in the number of police and security force personnel killed and injured. Moreover, the communists seem to have been able to attract recruits and solicit at least some support throughout the peninsula.[15]


Communist Successes
Major Nazar Bin Talib writes:

At the initial stage of their second insurgency, the MCP achieved a significant amount of success. Their actions at this stage were more bold and aggressive and caused considerable losses to the Security Forces. These successes were due to their preparation and the training that they received during the “lull periods” or the reconsolidation period after the end of the first insurgency. By this time, they also had significant numbers of new members, who were young and very aggressive. They had learned from the past that they could no longer rely on sympathizers from the poor or village people for their food and logistics[16].


1971
  • Major B. Selleck, the OC of the first RCB deployment to Butterworth, reported that on his second tour of Butterworth in June 71: ‘The CT threat was more serious on this occasion, with training activity limited to the Base and Penang. The CTs were very active, blowing up a bridge five miles North of the Base, and daily skirmishes with the local military and police forces’[17].


1974
  • A communist mortar attack destroyed a Caribou aircraft at Sungai Besi RMAF airbase on 31 March 1974[18].
  • Malaysia’s third Inspector-General of Police, Tan Sri Abdul Rahman Hashim was assassinated on 7 June 1974 by communists on Mountbatten Road (now Jalan Tun Perak), in the centre of Kuala Lumpur, on the order of Chin Peng[19].
  • On October 1974 the Marxist-Leninist Faction ‘proclaimed its existence by displaying banners and anonymously distributing leaflets throughout Peninsula Malaysia … numerous terrorist incidents in major urban areas were attributed to its Faction, and their efforts certainly troubled the Government.[20]


1975
  • Malaysia’s National Monument in Kuala Lumpur was damaged by an explosion set by CTs[21].
  • Perak’s chief police officer was murdered by CTs. Subsequently 3 attempts were made on the life of his successor[22].


1987
  • Two of the factions from the earlier split surrendered to Thai troops in December.  Following the surrender ‘it was reported that only 1300 guerrillas of the original CPM’s 8th, 10th and 12th Regiments remained active. Peace finally came on 2 December 1989[23]


Malaysian Government Response
In response to Communist inspired fatal race riots in Kuala Lumpur in May 1969 the ‘Government acted promptly … by reintroducing counterinsurgency measures that proved effective during the Emergency years [1948 – 1960]… To guarantee internal security the government maximised the employment of police and provided additional powers to the military to conduct police operations by revisiting the Internal Security Act of 1960[24]. According to Stubbs they ‘gradually reintroduced counter-guerrilla measures that proved effective during the Emergency years.’ These included ‘short-term curfews … and food-denial programmes’ in those areas thought to be targeted by CTs[25].


Major Nazar Bin Talib provides commentary on the Government’s response to the emergency:


The … Government … introduced a new strategy of fighting the MCP. It was known as Security and Development, or KESBAN, the local acronym, and focused on civil military affairs. KESBAN constituted the sum total of all measures undertaken by the Malaysian Armed Forces and other (government) agencies to strengthen and protect society from subversion, lawlessness, and insurgency which effectively broke the resistance…

The government also instituted other security measures in order to meet the MCP menace, including strict press censorship, increasing the size of the police force, resettling squatters and relocating villages in “insecure” rural areas. By mid 1975, when the MCP [Malayan Communist Party] militant activities were at a peak, the government promulgated a set of Essential Regulations, without declaring a state of emergency. The Essential Regulations provided for the establishment of a scheme called a ‘Rukun Tetangga,’50 ‘Rela’ (People’s Volunteer Group). The concept of “Rukun Tetangga” (Neighborhood Watch) had made the Malays, Chinese, and Indians become closer together, and more tolerant of each other. [26]


The Government decided against ‘declaring a state of emergency during the second insurgency. The reason was a desire to avoid the fears of the populace (leading to increase in ethnic antipathy) and to avoid scaring away needed foreign investment.’[27]


Crisis in the Malaysian Government
While the government responded to the emergency effectively, as demonstrated by its final victory, the Communists unsettled the government. According to one of Malaysia’s leading historians[28], Cheah Boon Kheng:


The communist threat was so serious during the administration of the third Prime Minster Hussein Onn (1976-81) that it was alleged the government had been infiltrated and there was communist influence among UMNO politicians. These allegations arose in the heat of UMNO politics during the party’s annual elections for top posts, and were taken so seriously that two UMNO deputy ministers and several Malay journalists were detained for communist activities[29].

According to Stubbs, ‘Abdul Samad Ismail (former managing editor of the New Straights Times) had communist affiliations and there were suspicions around Government members, ‘particulalry Abdullah Ahmed and Abdulla Majid, close associates of the late Prime Minister, Tun Razak’.[30]


Contrast to 48 - 60
In June 1948 the murder of three planters in the state of Kedah marked the start of the Malayan Emergency, or first insurgency[31]. From the start the communists looked to the local population for support with food and money and coerced cooperation with acts of murder and violence[32]. By 1951 Chin Peng had recognised that terrorism against the civilian population had backfired and gave a directive that there be no more attacks on civilians or the infrastructure on which they relied for their livelihood and well-being[33].
 

General Sir Harold Briggs arrived in Malaya in 1951 and shortly thereafter developed and implemented the ‘Briggs Plan’[34]. This ‘brought about a serious food crisis for the insurgents because it isolated them from their food suppliers – the Chinese squatters living on the jungle fringes who were forcibly removed by the government and transferred to fenced-in ‘new villages’ that came under government control’[35]. This, along with other military initiatives, saw the guerrillas driven ‘‘deeper and deeper into the jungle’[36].


In the spring of 1953 Chin Peng, the communist leader, fled Malaya to direct operations from Thailand. This had a devastating impact on the morale of the CTs. To quote Barber, ‘it seems that in many ways the heart had gone out of ‘the cause’’[37].


Before the end of 1953 General Sir Gerald Templer, British High Commissioner to Malaya, expressed the view that the ‘military war’s nearly over’ and that only ‘the political one remains …’[38] It was in this year that Malacca was declared the country’s first ‘white area’. A white area was one considered ‘out of the war’. All restrictions such as curfews, rationing and police checks were lifted. By 1955, 14,000 square miles of Malaya had been declared ‘white’. Almost half the country was ‘white’ by the end of 1956[39]  and the communists had been reduced to 3,000 fighting personnel[40].


By the time the Second Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment arrived in Penang in 1955 it was a white area[41]. After 1955 ‘when it was evident that the communists were on the run and the government had gained the upper hand’, Penang was a popular ‘rest and relaxation centre’ for many Commonwealth troops and support personnel’, many of whom drove from Kuala Lumpur while others caught the overnight train[42].


At the time the RAAF received ownership of BAB in 1957 the Australian government decided to base three operational units there, which meant providing accommodation for the families of RAAF members. This despite Malaya being ‘an ‘operational’ zone, albeit a fairly benign one …[43].

RAAF School Penang was established in 1958. ‘Prior to 1958, the Australian commitment at Butterworth was the Airfield Construction Unit. The few primary school-aged dependants of these men attended either the RAF School at Butterworth (which closed when the RAF returned to England in 1960) or the British Army Children's School at Georgetown, Penang. Secondary pupils attended either the British Secondary School at Cameron Highlands or at Singapore.’[44]


It is worth noting the difference between the above circumstances and those at Johore which remained one of the few ‘black’ areas in 1955. The area was considered too dangerous for army wives and they remained in Singapore, but would occasionally be invited to spend a weekend in Kluang if the police could guarantee the safety of the houses in which they would stay[45].

By September 57 only 1,360 CTs remained in Malaya, with another 470 over the border in Thailand[46]. This had reduced to 250 active CTS in the country by the end of 1958[47].


While it seems the number of active terrorists during the first insurgency were significantly more in the early years history shows they were effectively defeated early on, with Chin Peng fleeing the country in 1953. The picture painted by Noel Barber in ‘The War of the Running Dogs’ and other sources is of an demoralised enemy being forced further and further into the jungle where they were hunted down by the security forces. From 1953 on more and more areas were declared ‘white’, meaning they were effectively ‘out of the war’.


By the middle of 1970 there were around 1,600 well trained, bold, aggressive and competent CTs active in Malaysia supported by a greater number of cadres. The CIA estimated that by 1972 this number had risen to around 1800. Richard Stubbs, in his 1977 paper, estimates the number of guerrillas at around 2,600 with Ching Peng’s group being around 2000. It is further estimated that there were approximately 15,000 supporting cadres in Peninsula Malaysia.[48] From the start of the insurgency they targeted security forces, including military establishments, and public infrastructure with their activities peaking in 1975.They successfully conducted terrorist activities from the Thai border in the north to Johore in the south and penetrated areas that had been declared white – and therefore out of the war – since the mid-1950s.


These forces had learned to operate without reliance on the support of the local population – a factor that had contributed to their defeat during the Emergency. Following the surrender of two factions in 1987 around 1300 guerrillas remained active. For almost 20 years they had maintained numbers at a higher level than at any time since the end of 1957 and were not contained in the jungles as they had been for much of the first insurgency.


Butterworth Air Base
Seberang Perai (Province Wellesley) where BAB is located , has an area of approximately 700 square kilometres on the mainland of North West Malaysia. As stated above it shares its northern and eastern borders with Kedah and its southern border part with Kedah and the remainder with Perak. The communists, as noted above, were active in both these states during the second insurgency.


It was against the background described above of growing communist activity in the states immediately surrounding BAB that a 1971 intelligence assessment of the threat to the Base to the end of 1972 considered it ‘possible, but still unlikely, that the CPM/CTO could take a decision to attack the Base …’ However, it also concluded that; ‘There is definitely a risk that one or more CTs or members of subversive groups could regardless of CPM/CPO policy and / or acting on their own initiative, attempt an isolated attack on or within the Base at any time’ [emphasis added]. It was believed these ‘isolated’ attacks could occur at ‘any time’ without advanced warning. Anticipated methods of attack included penetration of the base at night by one or more (up to 20) CTs, sabotage, booby traps, small arms fire or mortar attacks ‘if the CTs acquired this capability …’[49] Clearly, the CTs were using mortars in early 1974 (see above). It must be noted that communist activities continued to escalate after the date of this assessment and that following the split in the early 70s ‘each faction tried to outdo the other in militancy and violence’[50]


Against this background it seems highly unlikely that an Australian military commander would do anything less than take all necessary precautions appropriate to the assessed level of risk to defend Australian assets and personnel. Documents cited in the Rifle Company Butterworth’s submission clearly indicate an increased concern regarding base security and this is supported by the testimony of members of the Company. Confirmation of the existence of Australian intelligence reports indicating several incidents involving CT and Australian troops is contained in an email sent by a Mr Allan Hawke of the Department of Defence to Mr C. J. Duffield[51] Armed patrolling and rules of engagement authorising lethal force can only mean one thing – these men were on a combat footing. Any other conclusion denies the evidence.


In the February 2000 Review of Service Entitlement Anomalies in Respect of South-East Asian Service 1955-1975[52] Justice Mohr addressed the matter of ‘objective danger’. Mohr stated:


To establish whether or not an ‘objective danger’ existed at any given time, it is necessary to examine the facts as they existed at the time the danger was faced. Sometimes this will be a relatively simple question of fact. For example, where an armed enemy will be clearly proved to have been present. However, the matter cannot rest there.
On the assumption that we are dealing with rational people in a disciplined armed service (ie. both the person perceiving the danger and those in authority at the time), then if a serviceman is told there is an enemy and he will be in danger, then that member will not only perceive danger, but to him or her it will an objective danger on rational and reasonable grounds. If called upon, the member will face that objective danger. The member’s experience of the objective danger at the time will not be removed by ‘hindsight’ showing that no actual enemy operations eventuated.
… It seems to me that proving that a danger has been incurred is a matter to be undertaken irrespective of whether or not the danger is perceived at the time of the incident under consideration. The question must always be, did an objective danger exist? That question must be determined as an objective fact, existing at the relevant time, bearing in mind both the real state of affairs on the ground, and on the warnings given by those in authority when the task was assigned to the persons involved.


Clearly, in relation to service at BAB, an armed enemy clearly existed. There was an ‘objective danger’. Additionally, evidenced tendered by members of the RCB, ‘rational people in a disciplined armed service’, were ‘told there is an enemy’ and that they were ‘in danger’. According to the precedent established by Mohr, this ‘objective danger’ cannot ‘be removed by ‘hindsight’ showing that no actual enemy operations eventuated’.


Mohr had earlier stated:


I am fully conscious of the provisions governing the award of medals, qualifying service, etc, in Warrants, Acts and guidelines, The point is however, that so many members of the ADF served in South-East Asia during the period of the Review had no idea of the necessity for themselves or their unit to have been ‘allotted’ before they received qualification for a medal or repatriation benefits and now find themselves disadvantaged years later because those who ordered them to do their duty, which they did, took no steps to ensure the required allotment procedures were attended to when quite clearly they should have been.
There is a procedure available for retrospective allotment but this appears not to have been followed in many cases.
It seems unfair that members of the ADF in this situation should be denied the opportunity to put forward for consideration the nature of their service, which would in many cases, amount to operational and/or qualifying service because of this action, or rather lack of action, of their superiors.[53]


This statement has relevance for the RCB claim.


Reasons for Denying Active Service Classification
Three documents are referred to that provide reasons for rejection of the claim for recognition of ‘war-like service’ at BAB in the period 1970-89:

  • A letter from the Vice Chief of the Defence Force, Lieutenant General D.J. Hurley, AC, DSC Inquiry into the Recognition of Members of Rifle Company Butterworth for Service in Malaysia between 1970 and 1989, 23rd June 2010, file reference VCDF/out/2010/492;
  • 2011 Nature of Service Branch  Review ADF Service at RAAF Butterworth 1970-1989, Nature of Service Branch, 14 October 2011; and
  • Background Information Paper Nature of Service Classification – ADF Service at RAAF Butterworth, Nature of Service Branch, 14 Oct 2011,


Lieutenant General Hurley’s letter, in paragraphs 8 and 9, cites the March 1994 Report of the Committee of Inquiry into Defence and Defence Related Awards, that considered ‘service at Butterworth was clearly or markedly no more demanding that normal peace time service …’ The reason for this conclusion is no doubt the comment cited in paragraph 8, ‘Some of these submissions argued that a low level communist threat continued to exist until … 1989’ (emphasis added).


This ‘low level communist threat’ took 21 years to defeat, compared to the 12 taken to defeat the first insurgency. The communists maintained their numbers throughout the duration of that 21 years at levels in excess of those that had existed in the Malay Peninsula from the end of 1957 (more than two years prior to the end of the first Emergency) and their success in being able to effectively strike at targets in urban areas stands in stark contrast to the 1953 statement of General Sir Gerald Templer that the ‘military war’s nearly over’. This was clearly a dangerous threat that the Malaysian Government considered serious. It was, in the words of the former Prime Minister Tun Razak, the ‘New Emergency’.


While the second document cites a number of documents purported to support the above conclusion those cited by the RCB that clearly indicate real concerns regarding security at the base are not addressed. This evidence should not be discounted.


Paragraph 30 of the second document states that the Ground Defence Operations Centre ‘was never activated due to a shared defence emergency’ and therefore retrospectively concludes that ‘service at Butterworth must have remained as peacetime service subsequent to 8 Sep 1971’. This statement violates the precedent established by Mohr above.


Reference is also made in paragraphs 32 to 36 to the civilian and domestic environment in the Butterworth region. Evidence provided above shows that much of the Malay Peninsula had been declared white by 1955, including Penang which was a popular recreation area for troops serving in Malaya at the time. The author remembers armed police and military roadblocks in Butterworth on more than one occasion during the period July 1977 to January 1980. These would not have been in place in White Areas during the first insurgency.


At paragraph 52 the writer says that the Governor-General cannot make a declaration in regards to the nature of service without prior determination by the Government and a declaration by the relevant Minister. Paragraph 53 then states:


The Minister will only act after firstly considering the informed advice of the CDF, and secondly having obtained the agreement of the Prime Minster. The briefing provided by the CDF would be expected to take into account the impact of collateral financial benefits costed by the Department of Defence, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and the Department of Finance and Deregulation, and any views expressed by these agencies.


The document Background Information Paper Nature of Service Classification – ADF Service at RAAF Butterworth, at paragraphs 73 and 80 make reference to cost, with paragraph 80 stating: ‘The cost of including this service in the DVA budget is assessed as significant.’

Compare this with the following enunciated in Principle 10 of the March 1994 Report of the Committee of Inquiry into Defence Awards (CIDA).


Matters relating to honours and awards should be considered on their merits in accordance with these principles, and these considerations should not be influenced by the possible impact, real or perceived, on veterans’ entitlements.


It would appear reference to ‘significant’ costs in the above mentioned document was designed to influence the decision of the Minster and the Prime Minister in violation of this principle.

In a letter to Mr Robert Cross, dated 19 May 2012, Senator the Hon David Feeney, Parliamentary Secretary for Defence, states on page 3:

For any ADF service at Butterworth from 1970 onwards to meet the original intent of hazardous service, the service would need to be shown to be “substantially more dangerous than normal peace time service” and “attract a similar degree of physical danger” as “peacekeeping service”. Peacekeeping service generally involves interposing the peacekeeping force, which may be unarmed, between opposing hostile forces. The immediate threat to peacekeepers is by being directly targeted or by being caught in the crossfire of the opposing forces.


Senator Feeney correctly points out that service at Butterworth was not peacekeeping service. ADF personnel were not interposed ‘between opposing hostile forces’. Rather, they shared the facility at BAB with members of the Malaysian Security Forces who were prosecuting a war against a competent and deadly enemy who during the second insurgency successfully attacked military and police targets, including the air base at Kuala Lumpur. Regardless of any security action taken or not taken by Australian Defence Authorities members of the ADF were opposed to an ‘objective danger’ as discussed by Mohr above, whether they were being ‘immediately targeted or by being caught in the crossfire of the opposing forces’.  This danger existed ‘irrespective of whether or not the danger … [was] perceived at the time’ by Australian Forces.


The Minister also notes on page 4 that the ‘Clarke Report accepted that RCB was involved in armed patrolling to protect Australian assets, but concluded that training and the protection of Australian assets were normal peacetime duties.’ The author of this paper has had 20 years military experience, including guard duty at Williamtown and Richmond air force bases. While service rifles were carried on after hours patrolling no ammunition was available and there were no rules of engagement. Further, the author is unaware of sentries at the entrance to any defence establishment in Australia carrying weapons – with or without ammunition. In the author’s five years of service at Butterworth sentries always carried weapons. The Clarke statement does not ring true.


Any fair assessment of the facts can only conclude that Australian personnel at Butterworth during the second insurgency were serving in conditions that meet the criteria for ‘war-like service’. The risk to those personnel serving within the confines of BAB was significantly higher than those who served in the same location from at least the mid-1950s to the end of the 1948 – 1960 Emergency who were granted qualifying service for repatriation benefits as a consequence of that service.

Principle 3 of the CIDA principles states: ‘To maintain the inherent fairness and integrity of the Australian system of honours and awards care must be taken that, in recognising service by some, the comparable service of others is not overlooked or degraded’. This ‘inherent fairness and integrity’ will remain compromised until ADF members serving at BAB during the second communist insurgency are recognised as having participated in ‘war-like service’.



[1] MCP – Malaysian Communist Party
[2] Nazar Bin Talib, Major, Malaysian Army, Malaysia’s Experience in War Against Communist Insurgency And Its Relevance To The Present Situation In Iraq, submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of master of military studies, AY 2004-05, United States Marine Corps, Command and Staff College, Marine Corps Combat Development, Marine Corps University, at http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?Location=U2&doc=GetTRDoc.pdf&AD=ADA505882, accessed 12 Sep 2012, p.17
[3] Ibid.
[4] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guerrilla_warfare
[5] Richard Stubbs, Peninsular Malaysia: The “New Emergency”, Pacific Affairs, Vol. 50, No. 2 (Summer, 1977), University of Brittish Columbia, p.251, accessed at http://www.jstor.org/discover/10.2307/2756301?uid=3737536&uid=2&uid=4&sid=21101243992931, 6 Oct 2012
[6] MNLA – Malayan National Liberation Army
[7] Directorate of Intelligence (Central Intelligence Agency, USA (CIA)), Intelligence Report: Peking’s Support of Insurgencies In Southeast Asia (Reference Title: POLO LIII), April 1973, p.p. 115, 116, at http://www.foia.cia.gov/CPE/POLO/polo-37.pdf, accessed 12 Sep 2012
[8] Ibid, p.p. 117, 118
[9] Ong Wei Chong, Voice of the Malayan Revolution: The Communist Party of Malaya’s Struggle for Hearts and Minds in the ‘Second Malayan Emergency’ (1969-1975), Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies, Singapore, 13 October 2006, p.19, at http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/WorkingPapers/WP116.pdf, accessed 12 Sep 2012
[10] Ibid, p.26
[11] Ipoh World: Saving Yesterday for Tomorrow, at http://www.ipohworld.org/search8/result.asp?strid=2889, accessed 12 Sept 2012
[12] Ian Ward, Chin Peng, My Side of History, Media Masters, Singapore, 2003, p.41.
[13]  Op.cit., Nazar Bin Talib, p.18
[14] Cheah Boon Kheng, The communist insurgency in Malaysia, 1948-90: contesting the nation-state and social change, New Zealand Journal of Asian Studies 11, 1 (June 2009), p.149, at http://www.nzasia.org.nz/downloads/NZJAS-June09/14_Cheah_3.pdf, accessed 12 Sep 2012
[15] Richard Stubbs, Peninsular Malaysia: The “New Emergency”, Pacific Affairs, Vol. 50, No. 2 (Summer, 1977), University of Brittish Columbia, p.249.
[16] Op.cit, Nazar Bin Talib, , p.17
[17] A.H. Maple, Lt Col, A History of the Deployment of an Australian Rifle Company to Butterworth, at Annex B: AHU:03-092, file 755-1-20 dated 12th December 2003, cited in RCB Review Group,  Submission: Review of Australian Army Rifle Company’s Military Service as Warlike 1970-1989 Butterworth (RCB), undated, p.10
[18] Military Analysis: PASKAU, at http://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com.au/2010/10/paskau.html, accessed 12 Sep 2012.
    RCB Review Group,  Submission: Review of Australian Army Rifle Company’s Military Service as Warlike 1970-1989 Butterworth (RCB), undated, p.5.
[19] Malaysian Institute of Geomancy Sciences, www.mingsweb.org/kv_art22.asp, accessed 8 Sept 2012
The Star on Line at http://thestar.com.my/lifestyle/story.asp?file=/2009/11/29/lifefocus/20091128170722&sec=lifefocus, accessed 8 Sept 2012
[20] Op.cit, Richard Stubbs, p.251
[21] Tugu Negara (National Monument), Kuala Lumpur, at http://www.asiaexplorers.com/malaysia/tugu_negara_national_monument.htm, accessed 12 Sep 2012
[22] Op.cit, Ipoh World
[23] Op.cit,Cheah, p.150
[24] Mohd Zakaria Yadi, Malaysian Emergencies – Anthropological Factors in the Success of Malaysia’s Counter Insurgency, Thesis, Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California, December 2004, accessed at http://calhoun.nps.edu/public/bitstream/handle/10945/1295/04Dec_Yadi.pdf?sequence=1, 1 October 2012.
[25] Op. cit, Stubbs, p.259
[26] Op.cit , Nazar Bin Talib, p. p.19-21
[27] Ibid.
[28] National University of Singapore, at http://www.nus.edu.sg/nuspress/subjects/history/978-9971-69-274-2.html, accessed 12 Sep 2012
[29] Op.cit,Cheah, p.149
[30] Op.cit, Stubbs, p.259
[31] History of the Australia – Malaysia Defence Relationship, at http://www.malaysia.embassy.gov.au/files/klpr/History%20of%20the%20Australia-Malaysia%20Defence%20Relationship.pdf, accessed 30 September 2012.
[32] Noel Barber, The war of the running dogs – How Malaya defeated the communist guerrillas 1948 – 1960, William Collins, 1971, 2004 Paperback Edition by Cassell, early chapters.
[33] Ibid, Barber, p.p. 159, 160
[34] Wikipedia, Brigg’s Plan, at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Briggs%27_Plan, accessed 13 Sep 2012.
Op.cit, Barber, p.116
[35] Op.cit, Cheah, p.141
[36] Ipoh World, General Sir Gerald Templer GCMG KCB KBE DSO High Commissioner of the Federation of Malaya, at http://www.ipohworld.org/search8/result.asp?strid=2841, accessed 12 Sep 2012.
[37] Op.cit, Barber, p.230
[38] Ibid, p.232
[39] Ibid, p.p. 234, 279, 302.
[40] Britain’s Small Wars, The Communist Defeat in Malaya, at http://www.britains-smallwars.com/malaya/def.html, accessed 10 Sep 2012.
[41] Biography of R.G.E. Betts, at http://www.justinmuseum.com/famjustin/Bettsbio.html, accessed 10 Sept 2012
[42] MM2H Malaysia My Second Home Forum, at http://www.my2home.info/index.php?topic=1436.0, accessed 10 Sep 2012.
[43] Radschool Association Magazine – Vol 38, at http://www.radschool.org.au/magazines/Vol38/Page10.htm, accessed 8 Sept 2012.
RAAF School Penang Official Website, http://www.raafschoolpenang.com/photopages/raaf.htm, accessed 8 Sept 2012.
[44] Ibid.
[45] Op.cit, Barber p.286
[46] Ibid, p.305
[47] Ibid, p.319
    http://www.myfareast.org/Malaysia/emergency.html, accessed 10 Sep 2012
[48] Op. cit, Stubbs, p.251. For details of estimated numbers see footnote #4.
[49] Document: ANZUK Intelligence Groups 1/1971 – The Threat to Air Base Butterworth up to the End of 1972, dated 30th November 1971, cited by RCB Review Group, p.p. 17,18
[50] Op.cit, Cheah, p.149
[51] Email, Hawke, Allan SECRETARY Allan.Hawke@cbr.defence.gov.ay, sent Monday, 4 September 2000 9:46 AM.
[52] Mohr, Review of Service Entitlement Anomalies in Respect of South-East Asian Service 1955-1975, Feb 2000, p.9
[53] Ibid, p.p. 7,8

47 comments:

  1. Great article, exactly what I wanted to find.

    Also visit my website: website design

    ReplyDelete
  2. Replies
    1. Ken, Great details however not totally factual unfortunately. I was an SP at Butterworth September 1972-1974. The Australian Rifle Companies first came in mid 1973, NOT 1971. Before they arrived I personally worked with RP's from three Singaporian based regiments deployed to Butterworth Air Base. Scotish companies from the RHF and Gordan Highlanders and one company from New Zealand Army.
      Greg McMahon

      Delete
    2. Greg, thanks for your comments. Since writing this piece I have come into possession of other information - some supplied by my RCB contacts and other from my own research.

      Some of this information does highlight some errors in the above - but not IMO important ones. More importantly it only strengthens the argument for recognition of warlike service. I have also become aware that there were RAAF members at Alor Setar for at least some of the time in question as well as army at Port Dickson - the latter being targeted by rockets at least once.

      Delete
    3. Ken, Also RAAF Rad Tech's were based periodically from Butterworth to KL, just where I am not sure? one member I recall was Tony Bull.
      Greg

      Delete
  3. G'day Swampy,
    Extremely well researched and written.
    Well done.
    Gossy

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  4. This is a very good report.

    Lee Bowes

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  5. Ken, Thankyou for your time and effort with this very well researched and written report. I am sure we all hope the Government settles this matter in favour of those that put Duty First.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for your comment. It is a fight I believe is worth fighting and something I believe the Australian Public should be aware of.

      Delete
  6. Ken,
    Great work.
    So now how can we help move this along?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am in communication with a few of the RCB blokes. We have made individual submissions to the minister for defence to review the case. One of the blokes has also asked the minister to have an independent review of the way Defense has handled the case - or mishandled might be more appropriate.

      One thing you could do is communicate with your local member. If you came to this blog through the RAR website you will find some background there.

      And if you didn't, here's the link

      http://rarasa.org.au/?page_id=1400

      Delete
    2. Thanks again Ken,
      for the links and info.

      Do you have a copy/template of a cover letter to our ministers?

      Delete
    3. Sadly not that well organised mate.

      Delete
  7. Hi Ken
    I was RCB in 1979 with 2/4 RAR. Have been in touch with RCB review group and have read a bit of the stuff. Keep up the good work, amazing bit of research and argument. Will contact my local MP asap.

    Cheers
    Ray

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Ray. I was with 75 Sqn in 79, safe in my bed while you blokes were protecting my butt.

      Delete
  8. Hi Ken

    I'd value your opinion on my proposed letter to my local member.

    Dr Peter Hendy MP
    1/21-25 Monaro St
    Queanbeyan 2620

    Dear Dr Hendy
    I am writing to seek your support in correcting an injustice that has been perpetrated against a group of ex-servicemen for over thirty years. Those who served in Rifle Company Butterworth (RCB) between 1968-1989 have been constantly denied proper recognition for their service. The years in question were the period of the Malaysian Communist Insurgency War (or Second Malay Emergency). The Whitlam government formed the rifle company to provide security to Australian assets and personnel at Air Base Butterworth and as a quick reaction force to counter any communist terrorist attack on the base.

    From the beginning the deployment was sold as “training” due to the then Whitlam government’s sensitivity to forward deployment of combat troops. This charade has been continued by defence and by successive governments ever since with both continuing to claim that service with RCB during the period was “peacetime service”. I have attached a paper by Ken Marsh (ex-RAAF) that utilises previously unexamined SECRET documents to demolish this “peacetime” argument. This paper has already been sent to the Parliamentary Secretary for Defence requesting a new review in light of the new evidence.

    Despite the Department of Defence constantly opposing reclassification of RCB service to “warlike” (they have used different arguments as each is torn down by evidence provided by RCB veterans) in a Minute signed by MAJGEN S.V. L. Willis on 20 December 2000 (also attached) Defence admit the true role of the RCB. The document describes the role as follows:

    “... the role of the RCB was to provide a quick-reaction force to meet the communist terrorist threat, and be responsible for internal security within Air Base Butterworth.”

    It then goes on to downplay this role due to the “defensive” nature of the RCB’s rules of engagement (ROE). The ROE were defensive but the RCB was operating on a base surrounded by civilian dwellings, farmers and the main north-south highway as well as dealing with an enemy who could conceal themselves amongst the civilian population with ease, the RCB did not operate in a “free fire zone” as existed in Vietnam. There is also a precedent for granting warlike service to troops who had “defensive” ROE. Operation Bastille, the pre-deployment of Australian forces in preparation for war in Iraq were deployed to acclimatise them and allow them to train with coalition forces. Despite having “defensive” ROE this deployment attracted “warlike” service.

    After reading the attached documents I hope that you can make representations in support of the RCB veterans to correct this injustice.

    Yours sincerely
    Ray Fulcher (RCB 1979)
    2/5 Davison St, Queanbeyan, 2620

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ray,

      Thanks for your excellent letter. You have also obviously done some research of your own which can only strengthen the case. I will be interested in the response of your local member.

      I do not know if you have also seen this later paper I did:

      http://kenswampymarsh1.blogspot.com.au/2014/02/butterworth-not-normal-peacetime.html

      Have you been in touch with other members of the RCB Review Group - Robert Cross for example? I am sure they would be interested in the evidence you have from MAJGEN S.V. L. Willis.

      Again, thanks for your work.

      Delete
    2. Hi Ken

      Yes, I've been in touch with Robert and spoke with him re the Willis minute. The minute was titled "Recommendations of the Review of Service Entitlement in Respect of the RAAF and RCB Service 1971-1989". It's in a bundle of related minutes etc and is available on the web: http://www.defence.gov.au/foi/docs/disclosures/303_1011_documents.pdf
      I'll now send my letter to my local member.
      Ray

      Delete
    3. Hi Ken
      Found some stuff about those revetments at Butterworth.
      File no 696/6/4/5, archives barcode 1875396.
      This from a SECRET AUSTEO minute dated 22 October 1976 (DEF 270/1/4) (includes other pertinent stuff than the revetments):
      Same threat assessment as you have already uncovered – low.
      “The CPM...may conduct further attacks against military installations. Air Base Butterworth could be such a target. It is the most proximate to established terrorist localities and thus the most accessible to attack. The MAF already uses it as a base for counter terrorist operations.”
      Goes on to assess likelihood of attack endangering RAAF deployment in immediate future is low and would most likely be by indirect fire, but:
      “If such an attack did occur, however, its implications would be serious...in either case Australian personnel – including dependents – and equipment would be endangered. Action has recently been taken to construct revetments to give some protection to the Australian aircraft at Butterworth against attack. The need for improved security on and off the base has also been recognised.”
      As I work about a 5 min walk from the National Archives in Canberra I have requested a heap of (possibley) relevant “Closed” and “Not yet examined” files. The first (RAAF Butterworth – fixed fire protection for hangers) became available yesterday, unfortunately it is in Perth.

      Cheers
      Ray

      Delete
    4. Ray - that is brilliant. Please keep me in the loop. I will be more than interested to see what else you can dig out.

      Delete
  9. Hi Ken, I have only just come across the information today - I do remember many years ago there was a submission whihc got knocked on the head.

    Just for the record - I did two tours of RCB both with B Coy 6 RAR 1978 and 1981. We certainly did go thinking we had to be on our toes and that this was a serious security protection force. My memories are many. But these may help. I recall when typing up Charge sheets for soldiers that they included the words PTE Smith or whoever Whilst on War Service..... etc.
    Perhaps. I remember our commanders telling us that being charged WOWS was a big deal.
    I also recall one particular M60 range shoot just south of Alor Star near the Thai border when using M60's on tripods over 2km to target that we accidentally started a bush fire - I recall that we were not allowed to go and put the fire out as the area was a known place for CT's to place traps.
    We had armed guard duty (24 hrs a day) in the Armscote (Armory) - I recall doing 1 or two 24 hrs shifts armed with a loaded 9mm.
    On QRF duty we were all carrying live ammo, and we did get called out at times to respond to possible perimeter breaches.
    I even have somewhere the original RCB Welcome info handout that we all got a copy of. Im sure it outlines security risk etc.
    Cheers
    Paul Tyler

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Paul

      Your comments are appreciated and only help demonstrate the real nature of the service. If you could locate your coupy of the RCB welcome and get it to me or the RCB group (Robert Cross) it could add weight to the claim. If you respond to this reply I may not responde for a couple of weeks.

      Cheers, Ken

      Delete
    2. I was a digger at the time attached to B Coy 1 RAR from 103 Sig Sqn. Our intro was the same, "Whilst on War Service". Hopefully one of the 1 RAR RAINF guys from our tour will spot this as this isnt first hand having missed the range practice on the day. Platoons from our Coy went up to the Alor Star Range. A number of insurgents were in the bush watching us and they were carrying machine guns. 3 M60's were put up on tripods and a large number of rounds fired down range across the 3 guns. Some of which went into a rubber plantation upsets the locals and causing a small confrontation. The blokes in the bush had decided to leave.
      The other important point here is the group before our tour which was Nov 77 to Mar 78 were in country for 4 months. They had been held back because of an increase in the threat level. Our group were warned of this increased threat and told to be prepared for the same.
      From this, a commissioned officer from one of these deployed groups should be able to tell us what organisation from Canberra conducted the security briefing. Then, an FOI request on that organisation for Jun 1977 to 1 Dec 1977 to see what comes up. Also, the Army History unit is the group that provides search authority to serving members up to at least Secret. The Defence Archives in Queanbeyan contains a lot of this more sensitive stuff. Good hunting..

      Delete
  10. Hi Ken
    How's this:

    Commanding Officer’s reports – Monthly reports unit history sheets (A50) – Base Squadron, Butterworth
    Series No. A9435, item 12155562
    Not sure what Defence means by GDOC was never “activated” because I have found evidence that the GDOC was “manned” [read “activated”] on a number of occasions in response to perceived “ground threats” to Butterworth viz:
    “GDOC was manned by Defence Section and 6RARCOYGP personnel during the period 21JAN76 to 31JAN76 (reason – possible ground threat to F111 aircraft).”

    “GDOC was manned by Defence Section and 6RARCOYGP personnel until 4FEB76 (reason – possible ground threat to F111 aircraft).”

    “GDOC was manned by Defence Section and 6RARCOYGP personnel (reason – possible ground threat to Air Base Butterworth) [dates not given but in March 76 report]

    “GDOC was manned by Defence Section and 6RARCOYGP personnel (reason – possible ground threat to Air Base Butterworth) [dates not given but in April 76 report]

    “GDOC was manned by Defence Section and 6RARCOYGP personnel (reason – possible ground threat to Air Base Butterworth) [dates not given but in May 76 report]

    The above suggests that the GDOC was “activated” almost continuously Feb-May 1976 in response to threat of ground attack on Butterworth.

    “Defence section and BCOY 8/9RARCOYGP manned GDOC as a co-ordination centre on 7-8 July 1976 and 30-31 July 1976 (possible ground threat Air Base Butterworth); and

    shared defence briefings were given to Lieutenant-General A.L. MacDonald CB, OBE, Chief of the General Staff, on 8 July 1976, His Excellency The Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia, Mr G. B. Feakes BA on 23 July 1976 and RAAF commanding officers on 30 July 1976”

    “Defence section and BCOY 8/9RARCOYGP manned GDOC as a co-ordination centre on 1 August 1976 (possible ground threat Air Base Butterworth)”

    “Defence section and ‘D’ COY 7/8RARCOYGP manned GDOC on 31 January 1977 (possible ground threat Air Base Butterworth)”

    “Defence section and DCOY 7/8RAR manned GDOC on 1 and 2 February 1977 (possible ground threat Air Base Butterworth)”

    “Defence section and C COY 3 RARCOYGP manned GDOC 20 July 1977 (possible ground threat Air Base Butterworth)”

    “Defence section and C COY 3 RARCOYGP manned GDOC 1 – 2 August 1977 (Possible ground threat Air Base Butterworth)”

    “Defence section and A COY 3 RARCOYGP manned GDOC 26 September 1977 (Possible ground threat Air Base Butterworth)”

    “Defence section was on standby on the following two occasions:
    (1) on 29 October 1977 a Hijacked Vietnam Air DC3 passed through Malaysian Air space and eventually landed in Singapore; and
    (2) increased security on a lower level than normal on 30 October 1977 to cover a possible threat to Air Base Butterworth.”

    “Defence Section and ‘A’ Coy 3RAR carried out increased security on 25 November 1977 to cover a possible threat to Air Base Butterworth.”

    The reports also show increased levels of security for communist/insurgent anniversaries:

    “Defence Section and ‘B’ Coy 1RAR carried out increased security on the 1 and 2 Feb [1978] during the anniversary of Army Day of MNLA”

    “B’ Coy 1RAR carried out increased security on a reduced scale on 15 and 16 Feb [1978] during the anniversary of the split of the CPMRF from the CPM”

    “GDOC co-ordinated increased security measures from 1500 hours 10 Mar 1978 to 1500 hours 19 Mar 1978 during the visit of the F111 flight from RAAF Amberley.”

    “Increased security measures were adopted at Air Base Butterworth on22-23APR78 for the anniversary of the MNLF April Movement, then again on the 30APR78 for the CPM Inauguration Day”.

    “Standby manning of the GDOC was maintained during the period of the Communist Party of Malaysia Anniversary on 9 Sep 78”

    “Increased security measures were implemented at Air Base Butterworth 18-21 Sep 78 as a part of base activities associated with Major Adex 4/78. GDOC was fully manned on 20-21 Sep 78 and on standby manning after hours during a warm-up phase on 18-19 Sep 78. Manning included a liaison officer from AUSTRFLCOY and HQ RMAF 20-21 Sep 78”

    Cheers
    Ray

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Ray. Those Base Squadron records had not been seen by the RCB guys to my knowledge. Valuable find IMO.

      Kwn

      Delete
  11. Hi Ken
    I am getting some more of those OC RAAF Butterworth monthly reports soon, for 1979-1985 and will let you know if I find anything more. On those reports, there is a regular report on photography and "ground photography" including developing film for the MAF at least once. Just how much footage for each. Any idea what that is about?

    Also, you may have seen this, and its not much but in 2007 the Dept of Defence told the Parliament that "An Australian Army Rifle Company has been stationed at RMAF Butterworth on
    a rotational basis since the early 1970s. While it’s initial focus was protection of the base, its emphasis has shifted to training and bilateral exercises in Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand." This was in a document ROYAL MALAYSIAN AIR FORCE BASE BUTTERWORTH, MALAYSIA AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE FORCE
    FACILITIES RATIONALISATION. STATEMENT OF EVIDENCE TO THE PARLIAMENTARY STANDING COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS.

    Cheers
    Ray

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks again Ray. Secong para first - there have been admissions of truth from Defense, but they are rare. If I have not seen the specific statement I have seen similar.

      Re. the photography, I don't know anything about it, but I will ask.

      Delete
  12. I was a SGT ADG at BSBUT from Nov 70 to May 73. From memory the Rifle Companies attached to BAB during that time came from 6RAR, 1RHF, and 1RNZIR. The ANZUK artillery Regt also sent batteries to BAB. This started in 1972 I reckon. On arrival at BAB all personnel were required to undertake "Arrivals Course" where they received training for 4-5 days on subjects including The Threat, Evac Plans for Families, Intel Briefs, WT etc. The Intel Briefs were conducted by Major Jim Mannion and SGT Tom Pitham both Australian Army GL Section. The threat wasvery real.All members were required to do annual updates. When I say "all" members I mean "ALL". The threat was very real and there were incidents on several occasions around the base. The RAAF Police Auxiliary people carried arms and ammo at all times particularly at night. Many a RAAFie was bailed up sneaking back to the base proper from the boatie by one of these guards. It happened to me a couple of times. All you would hear was a growl from the dog and the cocking of the Stirling SMG you stopped and sobered up a hurry. After they were disbanded Malaysian MP's took over and they were trigger happy. All the government big knobs, the Sultans/ Rajas travelled in Armoured Limos with huge police escorts.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Appreciated Fred. I arrived in Sept 71. A mate of mine - electrician - did armed guarding before I arrived after the CT bombed a bridge up the road. At that time the Army was not at Bu all year round. After the army was pulled out of Singapore in 73 the RCB was permantly at Bu.

      I remember the heavies driving through Penang. Police outriders on Honda 350s and anyone who didn't get out of the way quick enough was literally kicked out of the way.

      Delete
  13. Hi Ken
    Have you seen the JIO report "The security of Air Base Butterworth" dated Oct. 1975 which lists 111 CTO "incidents in the area surrounding Air Base Butterworth" july 74-August 75? Among many other relevant issues it says of possible rocket or mortar attack that "this form of attack is quite likely". I know you have other JIO reports in your paper and they are very similar to this but it seems a different version and a bit more blunt - "quite likely".

    Ray

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ray, I haven't seen this one. 'Quite likely' definitely raises the ante IMO. I am sure the more we troll around in archives the more evidence there will be to show Defense for what it is.

      You made a comment above about photography. I have not got an answer to that. I know that I did some browsing on the NAA site a little while back and found there are Squadrond Commanders Diaries. While the 75 Sqn diary for the 75-80 period (approx) is available the 3 Sqn one is not. Makes me suspicious, but that is all I have.

      I may try and contact you through Robert - I have seen a couple of emails with you on the list. I would like to do some archive searching myself but need to work out how to do it. Rang the Sydney office last yesteray for some clues and got a 'look at the fact sheets'. Most helpful ... not.

      Ken

      Delete
  14. Hello Ken, I was posted to Butterworth in 1980 & again in 1985, both times with 6RAR. If this helps; 1980 a RAAF fighter crashed into the water and we were tasked with securing the area over the crash site by stationing a three man armed patrol on call sign Big Boat One. The orders (very loose) were to deter possible Pirates or Terrorists by what ever means necessary from recovering any wreckage etc. I know for a fact that the patrol the night before ours did so by firing both SLR and M16 rounds. The night we were on Big Boat One we to encountered an unknown intrusion but because of an admin stuff up our Weapons had been left behind on the beach (on reflection possibly deliberately), but never the less being young and full of bravado at the time we improvised and engaged what we perceived to be a pirate vessel by firing at the vessel with the only weapon available to us, the flare gun. I would think there would have to be some records of this event and the ROEs we were given.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My apologies for not saying thanks earlier. We continue to fight on this one.

      Delete
  15. Regarding prior comments Big Boat One, the deployment dates were 8 Sep 81 to 9 Dec 81, B coy 6 RAR.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Apreciated. From what I have seen records post 1980 still appear closed. But further digging around might uncover some.

      Delete
  16. Ken,
    I was posted to Butterworth with A Company 1 RAR in 1975. The CT threats during that time were very real. On a few occassions the base was locked down (for several days at a time) due to CT activity. This included large holes being cut in the perimeter fence. We were also issued with live amunition and conducted night long standing patrols along the fenceline whilst RAAF and MAF jets took off so they could not be saboutaged. This continued for weeks.
    On one occassion we were issued with live amunition and were told we would be going into Vietnam to rescue some refugees, but after hours of waiting we were told the Americans got them out and we were stood down. Those “refugees” later came through Butterworth under very tight security and secrecy. I have photos of some of these refugees.
    I was always under the belief that Butterworth Air Base was (at that time) a War Zone and should be recognized as such.
    Keep up to fight.
    Regards,

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for your comments. The fight for proper recognition continues.

      Ken

      Delete
  17. Hi Ken, Not sure if I have told you this before. During my two tours in 78 and 81 RCB soldiers who were charged with an offence whilst at Butterworth where charged on WOWS - I am almost 100% sure that the Military Charged Sheets were typed as the following. - Whilst on War Service Private ........ did fail to .......... - This wording has staying with me all these years as I first heard it when working in RCB headquarters and seeing the charge sheets being typed up. - It would be worth finding out if my memory serves me correct. I guess you would have to ask who of the RCB members got charged while at Butterworth - There would be a few - maybe 5--6 per tour? Cheers Paul Tyler

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Paul, thanks for your comment.

      Charge sheets were marked WWOS. However, Defence have turned up some page from some Army law book from the time that shows that all soldiers charged overseas, whether on war service or not, were charged under the war service provisions. It does not therefore prove war service.

      Since writing this article - and a subsequent on this same blog - we have been able to find a substantive amount of evidence that demonstrates the legitimacy of the case. The problem is Defence who seem to have the relevant ministers eating out of their hand and accepting everything they say as the gospel truth.

      Delete
  18. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  19. riddle me this...whilst on patrol/exercise,it was always in the back of our minds that we 'could' stumble across(rebel fighters),if that was the case & what if we did,were we to engage or 'bug-out'...imagine that.....your on patrol/exercise in borneo & you stumble across (rebel fighters)...oh yeah ok...we will just turn the other way & go home now as we have to wait for approval from the Australian government but Not before the Malay govt ask for assistance...ahhhh.....somehow i just dont think it happens like that...mind you 3 weeks prior to our arrival (borneo)an ambush was set exposing 2x rebels caught by claymore..(yep..face towards enemy type).not a pretty sight...but then ...what would i know.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Berhenti atau saya akan menembak, translation. Stop or I will shoot. This was on the card I patrolled with during my stay with Alpha Coy 3 RAR, in 87.

    ReplyDelete