Introduction
Australian service personnel, both Army and Air Force,
served at Butterworth Air Base (BAB) throughout the 1968-1989 Malaysian
Communist Insurgency War. BAB was shared with Malaysian forces who conducted
operations against the enemy from the Base. Despite clear evidence of Communist
activity around BAB and security assessments concluding the Base could come
under attack at any time without warning, the service of these veterans remains
classified as ‘peacetime’.
Service at BAB during the Insurgency War is clearly
comparable with that rendered in Ubon, Thailand in the late 1960s and at BAB
during most of the 1948-1960 Malayan Emergency. Veterans from both of these
locations have been granted warlike, or active service, status. Peacetime
service classification denies BAB veterans medallic and repatriation benefits
that have been granted to others with comparable service and is at odds with
established precedents for recognising Australian military service. BAB
veterans are being treated unjustly by the Government and any delay in
rectifying this situation only exacerbates that injustice. It is a betrayal of
men and women who pledged their lives to the defence of Australia.
This article presents evidence supporting an outstanding
claim by members of an Australian Rifle Company to have their service at BAB
recognised for what it was – active service. It provides evidence of Communist
activity in the area around Butterworth, Australian service chiefs’ concerns
over BAB security, and compares service at BAB during the war with that at Ubon
and Butterworth during the earlier Emergency. It also demonstrates the
selective use of evidence by the Government and Defence as well as immaterial
data to deny the claim.
Aim
To demonstrate that warlike service conditions existed at Butterworth
Air Base during the 1968-1989 Communist Insurgency War.
Butterworth Air Base
BAB is located in Seberang Perai, previously called Province Wellesley, which is part of Penang State. Seberang
Perai has an area of approximately 750 square kilometres on the mainland of
North West Malaysia. It shares its northern and eastern borders with Kedah
state and its southern border part with Kedah and the remainder with Perak
state. A ferry service to Georgetown, Penang’s
capital, operates from the nearby town of Butterworth. On 17 June 1968
communist forces killed 17 members of the Malaysian Security forces in the
Kroh-Betong area on the Thai border, approximately 80 kilometres from the Base.
This incident marks the beginning of the Insurgency War (Nazar Bin Talib,
Major, 2005).
Communist
Activity In and Around Butterworth
Evidence listed below relating to communist activity in and
around Butterworth during the war is sourced from Singapore’s Straits Times.
- March 1971 – communist terrorists
(CTs) dynamited the railway bridge spanning Sungei Jarak, two miles from the
northern Province Wellesley village of Tasek Glugot (9 March 1971).
- April 1971 – two bombs exploded
in Penang. Communist banners were found on the island and in Province Wellesley
and arrests were made (24 April 1971).
- May 1971 - four CTs were killed
and another four wounded by Malaysian security forces near Kulim ‘just 12 miles
from Butterworth’ (16 May 1971).
- June 1971 – Malaysia Prime
Minister Tun Abdul Razak named Penang as one of five states where the communist
threat was ‘very real’ (29 June 1971).
- October 1974 – communist flags
and banners were found in five Penang villages (29 October 1971).
- May 1975 – Penang and the other
northern states Perak, Kedah and Perlis arrange a meeting of the ‘recently
formed … joint co-ordinating security committee … to jointly discuss and …
co-ordinate … security forces actions’ (10 May 1975).
- May 1975 – CTs bombed two railway
bridges at Berapit and Permatang Tinggi near Bukit Mertajam, Province Wellesley
(11 May 1975).
- September 1975 - three districts
of Butterworth were placed on a five hour curfew from midnight till 5 a.m. as a
‘direct consequence of the establishment of the Inter-state Security Committee’
(14 September 1975).
- September 1975 – suspected
communist agents were held during a house-to-house search during curfew hours
in Butterworth (16 September 1975).
- January 1976 – the Malaysian
Inspector-General of Police identified the Sungei Bakar area of Province
Wellesley as a place where CTs were active (10 January 1976)
Communist 8th
Assault Unit
The communist’s 8th Assault Unit began moving
into the South Kedah region including the area around Kulim in early 1969 and
remained active there until it was forced out by security forces in 1978
(Mohamed Ghazemy Mahmud, Translator, p.41). In May 1971 four members of this
unit were killed by Malaysian Forces close to BAB (p.p. 150 - 153) (see The
Straits Times, 16 May 1971, above). This unit, operating in close proximity to
BAB, is one of three assault units described by the Malaysian Army as ‘active guerrilla forces of
substantial strength and capability’. The others were the 5th, which
operated in Perak, and the 6th sixth located in Pahang state (p.p.
156 – 158).
1971
Security Assessment
The ‘SECRET’ document,
The Threat to Air Base Butterworth to the End of 1972, (ANZUK Intelligence
Group, 1971) assessed ‘the threat to Air Base Butterworth up to the end of
1972’ (p.3). At the time it was estimated that the Communist Terrorist
Organisation (CTO) had a force of between 1,800 to 2,000 armed terrorists,
mainly operating in Southern Thailand. There were also ‘up to 300 CTs operating
in West Malaysia’ (para 18). The assessment also identified other subversive
groups operating in West Malaysia some of whom had ‘direct links’ with either
the armed branch or underground elements of the Communist organisation,
including groups operating ‘in the Penang/Butterworth’ area’ (para. 20).
Sub-section C (1) (d) of the assessment
reports on ‘Activities in [the] Butterworth Area’. It is clear that ‘areas
close to Butterworth Air Base’ are those ‘within a radius of approximately 50
miles’ [80 kilometres]. Communist activities reported for ‘the period mid-1968
to November, 1971’ included:
- September 1969, two CTs sighted
12 miles north-east of Kulim or about 20 miles east of the base;
- April 1970, booby-trapped flags
planted throughout Malaysia and Singapore, including Georgetown, the Penang
Capital, and Butterworth. Booby-traps planted in Penang and Butterworth were
place by ‘the Malayan Patriotic Front, a subversive political organisation some
200 strong in Penang’.
- June, 1970 Malaysian Special Branch reported ‘that a group of CTs
was operating … on the Kedah/Province Wellesley border, and that CT supporters
in the Kulim area were supplying food on a regular basis to the CTO 8th
Assault Unit … located nearby’.
- January 1971, ‘groups of between
four and seven CTs were sighted about two miles north-east of Bukit Mertajam in
Province Wellesley about eight miles south-east of the Base.
- September 1971, ‘a Malaysian
military source stated that it was thought that the Kulim area would come to
life again because “survivors of the 8th Assault Unit” were still living
in the Gunong Inas Forest area approximately 25 miles east of the Base. The
number of these survivors was estimated in November 1971 by the Malaysian
Special Branch to be between 20 and 30. The Malaysian military intelligence
estimate of November, 1971, was that there were some 60 CTs in the wider
Mahang/Gunong Inaas/Bintang Hijah Forest Reserves area.’
Further, evidence indicated that Kulim was a ‘centre of
movement for terrorists between the Betong Salient [Thai Border region] and
village areas east and south-east of Kulim in the southern part of Province
Wellesley, south Kedah and the Selama district of Perak’.
After considering the available evidence the ANZUK
Intelligence Group presented their threat assessment in Section D. They
concluded that an isolated attack on BAB by CTs or members of other subversive
groups was ‘definitely a risk.’
[D. (1)] Likelihood of Attack
[para 54] On the basis of the factors affecting the
threat discussed earlier in this paper, we make the following assessments for
the period up to the end of 1972:
[para 54. (a)] It is unlikely that
any threat to Air Base Butterworth will arise from external overt military
attack on Malaysia;
[para 54. (b)] There is a potential
threat to the base from the Communist Party of Malaya (CPM),the Communist
Terrorist Organisation (CTO), and related communist subversive organisations,
whose aim is the establishment of a communist state in Malaysia Singapore,
ultimately by “armed struggle”- widespread guerrilla/military action- and who
have an estimated 1,800 to 2,000 terrorists in the Thai Malaysia border area.
Of these some 300 are estimated to be within West Malaysia, with some 60,
assumed to be armed with rifles, machine guns and explosives, in the Kulim and
nearby forest areas approximately 15 to 25 miles from the base;
[para 54 (c)] On the basis of
present evidence, CPM/CTO policy will be directed towards the consolidation of
its strength, influence, infrastructure and bases within West Malaysia.
Development along these lines, while likely to be substantial in view of likely
deficiencies in Malaysian counter- measures, will not be taken to launch armed
struggle. It is unlikely, therefore, that the CPM/CTO will , as a deliberate
act of policy, attempt an attack on Air Base Butterworth;
[para 54 (d)] It is possible, but
we consider still unlikely, that the CPM/CTO could take a decision to attack
the base in certain circumstances, namely:
[ (d) (i)] If the communist
infrastructure in the northern states of West Malaysia were rapidly and
progressively expanded during 1972 to the point at which the CTO judged the
time ripe for attacks on substantial military targets in those states (although
the risk of an isolated attack on the base would be enhanced by such expansion);
[ (d) (ii)] If there were large
scale-scale civil disturbances or major industrial unrest, perhaps involving
the diversion of Security Forces;
[ (d) (iii)] If the CPM/CTO were to
see significant psychological or propaganda advantage in an attack either in
terms of Australian or Malaysian government or public attitudes to the base in
the context of the Five-Power defence arrangements or as a morale-boosting
demonstration, possibly related to a communist anniversary; and
[ (d) (iv)] In retaliation for the
increased use of the base by the RMAF in anti-terrorist operations; and
[ para 54 (e)] there is definitely a
risk that one or more CTs or members of subversive groups known to be operating in the vicinity, could,
regardless of CPM/CTO policy and/or acting on their own initiative, attempt an
isolated attack on or within the base at any time.
[D (2)] Timing,
Advanced Warning, Method and Strength of any Likely Attack
[para 56] We assess that advanced
warning of any form of attempted attack (other than by a large group of CTs
which we assess as unlikely) would most probably not be received whether the
attack be by CTs or members of subversive groups.
The type of attack considered most likely within the
assessment period was ‘sabotage by the planting of delayed-action explosives,
booby-traps and other similar devices designed to damage Vital Points and
injure personnel, by one or more CTs, members of subversive groups, or
sympathetic or suborned LEC [locally employed civilians]/contractor personnel.’
Mortar ‘or other indirect weapon attack’ by up to 10 men ‘located in the
surrounding ricefield/kampong areas’ was considered ‘likely if the CTs acquired
a mortar capability’ (para 57). On 31 March 1974 CTs damaged a Caribou aircraft
at Sungai Besi military air base outside Kuala Lumpur with a mortar attack
(Mohamed Ghazemy Mahmud, p.49), clearly demonstrating that they had acquired
this capability.
The assessment also concluded that ‘covert penetration,
probably at night, by one or more individual CTs, or small groups, totalling up
to 20, with the view to surprise attack on Vital Points, especially the
aircraft, by small arms fire and explosives’ could not ‘be discounted
especially in view of the relative ease of a covert approach to Vital Points
through the current defences’ ((ANZUK Intelligence Group, para 58). It was
considered, as stated above, that if any of these attacks came as a result of
CPM/CTO policy they ‘would be more likely towards the end of the period under
review’. It was also considered that an isolated attack by ‘one
or more CTs or members of subversive groups known to be operating in the
vicinity … regardless of CPM/CTO policy
and/or acting on their own initiative … could take place at any time.’ This
type of attack, as stated above, was considered ‘definitely a risk’.
Relevant to the above assessment is that fact that by October
1974 the MCP leadership had split into three different factions following
internal conflicts going back to early 1970 (Nazar Bin Talib, p.18). Cheah Boon
Keng (2009, p. 149) says that consequently ‘each faction tried to outdo the
other in militancy and violence’. The CPO no longer had control over all
elements of the insurgency. Communist activities continued to escalate after
this time. The Malaysian Army describe the 1975 – 1980 period as one of
intensified CT activities (Mohamed Ghazemy Mahmud, p.158).
The Implication of the
Threat Assessment
The 1971 threat assessment concluded that an attack by a
large group of CTs was unlikely. If an attack of this nature did eventuate
there was likely to be advanced warning.
However, the assessment considered that there was
‘definitely a risk’ of a small scale attack by CTs or members of other
subversive groups. It was likely that this form of attack could take place at
any time without warning.
Given this expectation there was an obligation placed on
those in command to protect Australian assets and personnel. The only way this
could be achieved was by providing security personnel ready to respond at a
moment’s notice. This is not the case in
normal peace time situations.
Increased
Concern of Australian Service Chiefs in 1975
‘SECRET’ documents dated 1975 demonstrate an increased
concern for security at BAB. On 3 April 1975 the Chief of Air Staff, Air
Marshall J.A. Rowland advised the Minister: ‘OC Butterworth had advised that
rocket attacks have taken place at RMAF Base Sempang (Kuala Lumpur) and a
military installation at Penang on 31 March and 1 April 1975. The RMAF has
advised of possible threats to Butterworth’ (Rowland, J.A, 3 April 1975). On 7
October 1975 the CAS again advised the Minister regarding security at BAB
(Rowland, J.A, 7 October 1975).
[Para 2] The recent intelligence
information concerning possible CTO intentions to launch rocket attacks on
bases in Malaysia increases our concern regarding the security of areas around
the base. Intelligence sources consider there is a possibility that CTs have or
are able to obtain 81/82mm mortars to supplement their known supplies of 3.5
inch rockets. Mortars are crew served weapons which are accurate area weapons
of considerable destructive force against targets at maximum ranges of 4,700
metres. The attached map shows that at a range of 3000 metres from the
Butterworth Base, a perimeter of 16,000 metres is formed. To compound the
problem of defence, the area within the perimeter includes a large number of
Malaysian houses, a network of roads and several hectares of padi-fields, all
of which offer CTO assembly and firing bases.
The CAS advised the Minister that an updated document ‘The
Threat to Air Base Butterworth’ was currently being printed. He had, however,
included as an annex the assessment of threat and likely methods of attack
along with Air Office comments. The threat assessment and likely methods of
attack were, in essence, similar to those determined in 1971. It is the Air
Office Comment that provides evidence of an increased security concern (JIO, 2
October 1975).
[para 3] Figures released by the
Thai/Malaysian Border Committee in Jun 75 indicated that there were 2,054 CTs
operating near or in areas adjacent to the border. This figure increases the
previous estimate by 400 and indicates increasing success in recruiting by the
Communist Terrorist organization (CT0). Malaysian Intelligence has also
reported an upgrading in training and militant status of the underground
organizations.
[para 4] The split in Oct 74 of the
CPM into three factions … has resulted in some inter-factional conflict, but it
seems also to encourage the groups to compete with each other for success
against security forces. This is an important factor to be considered in assessing
the likelihood of terrorist activity against military establishments such as
Butterworth. Defence Adviser Kuala Lumpur reports that recent developments –
including the upgrading in training and military status of the CTO – represents
a significant diversification of, and increase in, the forces available with a
capability of launching an attack against Air Base Butterworth. In the Kulim
area, 20-30 kms from the Base, there are believed to be 62 members of the
Assault Unit, with 15-20 of these considered to be ‘hard-core’ terrorists.
[para 7] There has been a marked
increase in recent months in the use of modern weapons by the CTO including M16
rifles, 7.62 SLR, 9 mm sub-machine guns, and M79 grenade launchers. There is
also evidence of 81/82 mm mortars.
[para 8] The CTO also appears to
have a quantity of 3.5 inch rockets which they have used during the past six
months in attacks against military installations: there have been four definite
occurrences of rocket attacks since the end of March …
The Threat to Air Base Butterworth
[para 10] Defence Adviser Kuala
Lumpur suggests that Air Base Butterworth is of little consequence to the CTO
and that the Base is unlikely to be singled out for attack in preference to any
others … This would be a fair assessment … At the same time however, putting
together all available evidence … the Defence Adviser suggests that an attack
from outside the Air Base Butterworth perimeter fence must be considered a
possibility and we would agree with this view. There is no reason to suppose
that Butterworth would be left out of any future decision to mount rocket
attacks against military installations within Malaysia.
The Likely Methods of Attack by CTO
Against Air Base Butterworth.
[para 11] The most likely form of
attack by CTO against Air Base Butterworth is assessed as the use of 3.5 inch
rocket from outside the perimeter fence …
[para 13] A sneak attack by the CTO
with satchel charges has always been a possibility. The discovery of holes in
the fence at the Base shows that people have been in and out of the Base
without the knowledge of security forces and on this evidence an attack of this
nature cannot be discounted. The CTO has been growing bolder this last year and
has been increasing the size and scope of his activity. Nevertheless, this is
perhaps the least likely of possible forms of attack as discussed herein.
Summary
[para 14] The security situation in
Malaysia has deteriorated in the past year, particularly during the last six
months. The CTO has become bolder in its actions and has been willing to attack
military installations with 3.5 inch rockets for the first time …
[para 15] There is no evidence to
suggest that Air Base Butterworth will be singled out as a target for attack in
preference to another military installation in future operation but, equally,
there is no reason to suppose that the Base will be excluded from attack in
preference to others.
[para 16] The CTO has demonstrated
his capacity to mount operations against security forces during the past year.
Based on these incidents, there is an increased likelihood of attack on Air
Base Butterworth – probably by use of 3.5 inch rockets. There is a lesser
probability of an attack using mortars.
Australia
Clearly Involved in the Insurgency
The facts are irrefutable.
- Malaysia was fighting an internal war against communist
insurgents.
- CTs attacked military bases, police stations and other
security force targets in Peninsular Malaysia.
- The Communists were active in and around Province Wellesley.
- Senior military officers had a clear expectation that
Butterworth could come under attack from insurgents. There were no grounds to
indicate that BAB would be spared from attack.
- The types of attack clearly brought with them the
expectation of casualties.
- Australian forces were clearly involved in the insurgency.
Nature of
Service to be Determined against Objective Criteria
The type of service a veteran has rendered should be
determined against objective criteria and not the whims of the relevant
minister or Government Departments. As demonstrated below, these criteria have
been ignored in the case of Butterworth veterans.
Types of Australian
Military Service
According to the Department of Veterans’ Affairs
fact sheet DVA DP 07 Australia has three types of defence service. The type of
service given determines the veteran’s eligibility for compensation under the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986 and a
service pension. The definitions are as follows:
● Warlike service – is determined when the application of force is authorised to pursue
specific military objectives and there is an expectation of casualties. This includes a state of declared war and
conventional combat operations against an armed adversary. It also includes peace enforcement
activities, that is peacemaking and not peacekeeping operations, when armed
forces are authorised to restore peace and security.
● Non–warlike service – is determined where military activities are operations with a
limited objective and casualties could occur but are not expected. The only force allowed is in self–defence.
● Peacetime service – is routine operations, including training and military exercises,
that are not warlike or non–warlike.
Interestingly, the above definition of ‘warlike’ service
provided by the Department of Veteran Affairs omit the five key words ‘but are
not limited to’ referred to by Justice Clarke in his 2003 Review of Veteran’s Entitlements at 10.9,
Volume 2. Commenting on warlike service Clarke said:
In 1993, Cabinet agreed that warlike
service refers to those military activities where the application of force is
authorised to pursue specific military objectives and there is an expectation
of casualties. These operations encompass but are not limited to:
·
a state of declared war;
·
conventional combat operations against an armed
adversary; and
·
peace enforcement operations in support of diplomatic
efforts to restore peace against belligerents who may not be consenting to
intervention and may be engaged in combat activities (normally , peace
enforcement operations will be conducted under Chapter VII of the United
Nations Charter, and in these cases the application of all necessary force is
authorised to restore peace and security.)
The defence of Australian assets and personnel at BAB and
the maintenance of the base as part of Australia’s treaty obligations with
Malaysia were clearly military objectives. Malaysian forces were conducting
‘conventional combat operations against an armed adversary’ from Butterworth
and the base was a potential target. Australian military personnel engaged on
protective duties were armed and authorised to use force. This, by definition,
was ‘warlike service’.
These definitions have been used to determine repatriation
and medallic entitlements since 1975. In 1994 the Committee of Inquiry into Defence Awards
(CIDA), at Principle 8, considered their use appropriate when reviewing service
entitlements between 1945 and 1975. As will be shown, arguments used to deny
BAB veterans warlike service rely on the selective use of documents, a
retrospective assessment of the risk in violation of established precedents, and
inadmissible evidence.
Retrospective Assessment Precluded
The above service type descriptors are quite
specific. Warlike service is rendered when ‘… force is authorised … [and] there
is an expectation of casualties …’ The 1971 Threat Assessment cited above (ANZUK
Intelligence Group) is also clear –
‘There is definitely a risk …’ of attack. Any attack of the type identified brought with
it the risk of casualties. It could not be argued after such an attack that
casualties were ‘not expected’, ruling out non-warlike service. Evidence presented
below demonstrates that the RCB were authorised to use force in the defence of
BAB. They were clearly armed with live ammunition to repel anticipated attacks
by communist forces. The warlike classification is the only one of the three
available that fits with the facts.
The words ‘there is an expectation of casualties’
mean that it is the expectation at the time that must be considered, not the
events as they unfolded. This was the position taken by Justice Mohr, in his
February 2000 ‘Review of Service Entitlement Anomalies in Respect of South-East
Asian Service 1955-75’ (see below).
CIDA Principles
The 1994 Committee of Inquiry into Defence Awards
(CIDA) established 10 principles to ensure Defence Awards maintained the
Australian values of fairness, equity, compassion and egalitarianism (p.19).
The following discusses the application of these to BAB service during the
Insurgency War.
Principle 3
CIDA principle 3 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’.
Comparison with Service at Ubon, Thailand
Within this context it is appropriate to compare
Butterworth with conditions existing at Ubon, Thailand between July 1965 and
August 1968. In May 1962 number 79 Squadron, equipped with Sabres, was deployed
to Ubon to assist Thai security. From the beginning of 1965 America began a
build-up of air power at Ubon to launch air attacks against North Vietnam and
targets on the Ho Chi Mihn Trail. This meant Ubon faced the likelihood of
attack, both from the air and communist insurgents operating in Thailand (Mohr,
p.p. 68-70).
Justice Mohr accepted that Ubon veterans
‘incurred danger’ from hostile forces and were therefore entitled to
repatriation benefits under Section 7A of the Veterans Entitlements Act 1986.
He ruled that, in order to incur danger, the veteran must face ‘objective
danger’, something he addressed at length at pages 8-10.
Mohr concluded that
an ‘objective danger’ was established by the presence of an armed enemy. He
stated at page 9:
On the assumption we are dealing with rational people in a disciplined
armed service (i.e. both the person perceiving danger and those in authority at
the time), then if a serviceman is told there is an enemy and that he will be
in danger, then that member will not only perceive danger, but to him it will
be 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 the 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 in warnings given by those in authority when the
task was assigned to the persons involved.
This point
was reinforced by Justice Clarke in his 2003 Review of Veteran’s Entitlements
when he said:
11.59 Because the term ‘danger’
connotes risk, or possibility, of harm or injury, there is necessarily an
element of subjective belief involved. In a declared war, no one would doubt
that to carry out operations against the enemy at a place under risk of attack
exposes those in the operations to danger. Yet who at the time would actually
know, rather than perceive, that the place is at risk? The enemy might have no intention of
attacking there, but assessments have to be made, or beliefs formed, by
military authorities as to whether the place is at risk and needs defence by
armed forces.
11.60 If then, the military
authorities consider that a particular area is vulnerable to attack and
dispatch armed forces there, they are sending forces into harm’s way, or
danger. This was the second point made by Mohr - that veterans ordered to
proceed to an area where they are endangered by the enemy will not only
perceive danger, but to them the danger will be an objective one based on
rational and reasonable grounds. In these circumstances, what the historian
says he or she has learned since the war about the actual intention of the
enemy is hardly relevant.
Regarding Ubon specifically,
Mohr at page 73 said:
The question then remains as to whether or not this was ‘warlike’ or
‘non warlike’.
Did the Squadron face an objective danger? Did they ‘incur’ danger?
Even though no danger eventuated in the sense that there were no actual combat
engagements, they [aircrew] were armed for combat and had been told by those
who knew more of the situation that danger did exist and they must hold
themselves in readiness to meet it, not at some indeterminable time in the
future, but at five minutes’ notice…
Second, the ADGs [Airfield Defense Guards] patrolled both day and
night outside the perimeter of the base and in so doing saw evidence of
terrorist activity. So far as is known they were never engaged in an exchange
of fire, but the danger of terrorist activity in the general area was known and
precautions taken. These patrols were armed and authorized to fire if the
situation called for fire.
It is significant that the decision was made for warlike
service despite the fact that at the time ‘the Defence Committee considered
“the probability of enemy air attacks [on Thailand] would be slight”’ (p.70).
Correspondence between RCB veteran Mr C. J
Duffield and Dr Allan Hawke of the
Department of Defense, dated 4th September 2000 (Hawke, 2000), confirms that
the RCB carried out armed patrolling, were given rules of engagement and that
there were confirmed incidents involving the CTs and members of the RCB.
The parallels with
BAB are clear.
- Neither Ubon or BAB came under attack.
- In both places ‘the danger of terrorist activity in the
general area was known and precautions taken. … patrols were armed and
authorized to fire if the situation called for fire’.
- The ‘objective danger’ posed by the presence of an armed
enemy existed in both places.
Service at BAB during the Insurgency is clearly
comparable with that at Ubon in the late 1960s.
Comparison with Service at Butterworth 1948-1960
Province Wellesley and adjoining areas of South Kedah,
including 12 mukims (sub-districts) of the Kuala Muda district and three in the
Kulim district were declared ‘white areas’ in August 1954 during the earlier
1948-1960 Malayan Emergency. Speaking at the time the Resident High
Commissioner for the Penang Province Wellesley area, Mr R.P. Bingham, congratulated
the people on this achievement and asked them to keep it so – by continuing to
resist Communist ideas and co-operating with the Government’. At the same time
the Sultan of Kedah also congratulated his people ‘for proving themselves loyal
citizens who had refused to help the Communists’ (Straits Times, 15 August
1954).
The
introduction of ‘white areas’ to Malaya in 1953 was part of a strategy to isolate
CTs from the civilian population. It proved successful in cutting the
communists off from their food supplies and resulted in them being forced
further and further into the jungle. A ‘white area’ was considered free of
communists and effectively out of the war. All Emergency restrictions were
lifted on the understanding that they would be reintroduced if the civil
population were found to be aiding the enemy (Barber, 1971, 2004, p.p. 28, 29,
234-236).
Evidence presented above demonstrates an active Communist
presence in Province Wellesley and its surrounds during the 1970s. Curfews
similar to those imposed during the earlier Emergency were enforced (Straights
Times, 16 September 1975, ANZUK Intelligence Group, para. 33) and the author
recalls roadblocks in the town of Butterworth between July 1977 and January
1980. One obvious change the author noted on his return to BAB in July 1977 was
the presence of open roofed revetments on the Mirage flight lines. He understands
from communication with other RAAF Butterworth veterans that these were erected
during 1976. This option was considered in the 1975 draft document Brief for DCAS Concerning Security of
Butterworth (Department of Air, undated).
[Para 24] The threat of mortars and
rockets presents a problem of providing adequate passive defence arrangements
to prevent or mitigate the effects of attack by these weapons. In April 1975
following the rocket attack on Minden Barracks, Mirage aircraft were dispersed,
but as this practise exacerbated the problems of patrolling and security
lighting the aircraft lines, the practice ceased within a month.
[para 25] The only real protection
for aircraft against mortars and rockets is to provide hardened roofed over
revetments at costs of about $100,000 each. Open roofed revetments or dividing
blast walls are reasonably effective against rockets, but less effective
against the more accurate mortar. However the combination of dispersal and
provision of blast walls can reduce the area effect of mortars and reduce the
chain reaction effect which can be expected to result if one aircraft is in a
line of sixteen is hit by a mortar bomb and explodes. Blast walls need not be
elaborate and can be constructed with basic materials. Fuel installations
should be similarly protected. The requirement should be further evaluated by
ground defence and works officers.
On 14 October, the DCAS, AM N.P. McNamara in the ‘SECRET’
document Butterworth Security
advised:
[para 4] … The requirement for
blast protection of aircraft against ground burst weapons and small arms fire
together with aircraft dispersal is currently under review.
The RAAF purchased 100 single seat Mirage fighters plus 10
duals. The two squadrons at Butterworth represented approximately half the
Mirage fleet. While the author is not aware of the number of Mirages in service
at BAB in 1975 the number 16 used above most probably refers to the strength of
one squadron, meaning the number of revetments ideally required was 32. The
ideal number of revetments represented a considerable cost to the Australian
tax payer.
The provision of open roofed revetments in 1976, less than
12 months after the draft was prepared, were considered ‘reasonably effective
against rockets …’, the form or attack considered most likely in the Threat
Assessment, paragraphs 5 and 11, included with the CAS’s advice to the Minster
on 7 October 1975 (Rowland, 7 October 1975; JIO 2 October 1975).
Recognition of Service during the 1948-1960
Emergency
Service on the Malay Peninsular throughout the
1948-60 Malayan Emergency, including the service of those whose service was
confined to BAB, is recognised as active, or warlike. This recognition extends
to service on the surrounding waters to a distance of 18.5 kilometres (Veterans
Entitlements Act 1982, Schedule 2), in a war that from 1953 onwards saw the
enemy forced ‘deeper and deeper’ into the jungle (Military History Encyclopedia
on the Web), (Ipoh World).
Regarding its involvement in the conflict, the
Royal Australian Navy says:
The naval component's secondary
role in combating the communist terrorists (CTs) during the Emergency was
largely symbolic. However, it should be noted that the effective naval blockade
against the supply of arms and ammunition to the CTs from sources outside the
country denied them any effective use of the sea throughout the Emergency.
Returning to Mohr’s discussion of ‘objective
danger’, the risk to which service personnel at BAB were exposed was higher
during the 1970s owing to communist activities in the near vicinity of the base
than it would have been following the declaration of the area as ‘white’ in
August 1954. It must also be considered higher than that faced by members of
the RAN serving some distance off shore in a war that was fought in the jungles
against an enemy equipped with small arms.
Comparable Service Overlooked
CIDA Principle 3 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’. On the basis of the above evidence
the ‘comparable service’ of Australian veterans at BAB during the insurgency
war is being ‘overlooked or degraded’.
Senator David Feeney Overturns Previous Decision
– a Case Study in Departmental Spin
In May 2012 the then Parliamentary Secretary for
Defence, Senator David Feeney, wrote to Mr Robert Cross of the RCB Review
Group. The Secretary informed Mr Cross that owing to an administrative error ‘Instruments
of Determination of Hazardous Service from 6 December 1972 to 31 December 1989
and non-warlike service from 15 November 1970 to 6 December 1972’ (both meeting
the current criteria accepted as non-warlike service) signed in September 2007
by the then Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, the Hon. Bruce Billson, MP in
relation to BAB had not been registered. Subsequently the Departments of
Defence and Veterans Affairs were able to thwart Billson’s action and, on the
basis of ‘new evidence’ the decision was overturned by Feeney, as advised in a
letter to Mr Robert Cross of the RCB Review Group, dated 19 May 2012.
Feeney states that following the discovery of the
error Defence ‘conducted a “first principles” review’ of ADF service at
Butterworth during the period under question in mid-2011.
This review examined official Government and Defence Force
correspondence available within Defence and from the Australian War Memorial
and National Archives of Australia, as well as the various submissions which
had been made by various claimants over the years.
… It assessed that the previous 2007 review relied heavily on
selective information and that little objective research was undertaken to
either corroborate or disprove the statements that had been made by the
claimants. Although the advice provided to Minister Bilson was the best
available at the time, it has subsequently been shown to be inadequate and
misleading. ...
Reasons for this decision are contained in two
documents prepared by the Nature of Service Branch dated 14 October 2011: 2011 Nature or Service Branch Review ADF
Service at RAAF Butterworth – 1970-1989 (referred to below as Review) and Background Information Paper Nature of
Service Classification – ADF Service at RAAF Butterworth (referred to below
as Background Information), both enclosed with the letter.
The Review document relies on eight documents to
‘disprove the statements that had been made by the claimants’. Some of the data
provided by Defence is selective and seeks to prove the case retrospectively,
which is clearly at odds with the ‘warlike service’ definition and precedent
established by Mohr (above) and agreed to by Clarke. Other ‘evidence’ is by
nature inadmissible. However, when the facts surrounding Defence’s claims are
examined they support, rather than disprove, the RCB claim for active service
recognition. Because these facts were discovered by Butterworth Veterans from
the same sources as that used by Defence questions must be asked regarding
either Defence’s competence, motives, or both.
At paragraph 37 the Background Information Paper cites the
2003 Review of Veterans’ Entitlements
(Clarke Report). Clarke acknowledged that security forces at BAB were
issued with Rules of Engagement (ROE) that were protective only. He then stated
‘that although there is no doubt that the RCB was engaged in armed patrolling
to protect Australian assets, it was clear that training and the protection of
Australian assets were normal peacetime garrison duties.’ As can be testified
by any military veteran, neither armed patrolling nor ROE have ever been
‘normal peacetime’ practice in the Australian services. The Clarke statement is
at the best misleading, which raises the question: was Clarke mislead by
Defence regarding the RCB role? Armed patrolling with ROE, defensive or
otherwise, only makes sense in the presence of an armed threat.
Six of the eight documents cited in the Review are
dated 1969, one of which was an extract from Hansard, dated 25 Feb 1969 in
which the Prime Minister advised the House that following the British withdrawal
an Australian Army battalion would ‘be based in Singapore, although one company
will be detached on rotation to Butterworth except on occasions when the whole
force is training at either the Jungle Warfare School [in Johore] or elsewhere
in Malaysia.’ It was considered this would involve ‘considerable financial
savings’. Other documents show that the Butterworth detachment was ‘additional
to normal training activities carried out in the State of Johore’. The Company
remained under Army control but ‘would be placed at the disposal of AOC [Air
Officer Commanding] Butterworth’ if required for defense with part of its
training role at Butterworth being to prepare for such an eventuality. In 1969
the Insurgency War was in its infancy and the possibility of the Australian
Army Battalion based at Singapore being withdrawn was not considered.
The next document is an extract from the 22
August 1973 Chiefs of Staff Committee. This must be seen in context, including
the 1971 Threat Assessment referred to above, which concluded that BAB could
come under small scale attack at any time without advanced warning (ANZUK
Intelligence Group).
Following its election at the end of 1972 the
Whitlam Government moved quickly to withdraw all combat troops from Vietnam and
Singapore. It was Labor policy that any deployment of combat troops overseas
must include a training role. The referenced document refers to arrangements
effective September 1st when the RCB would be rotated from Australia on a
‘three-monthly’ rotation. This was said to be consistent with Australian policy
of ‘deploying troops overseas for training purposes. If required, the company
was to be available to assist with Base security. While press statements were
to be issued no publicity was sought.
Significantly, training away from the Base was
‘Subject to agreement by OC [Officer Commanding] Butterworth ...’ effectively
placing training under the control of the OC, not the Army.
Minutes of the earlier Defence Committee dated 11
January 1973, stamped ‘SECRET’, state: ‘when the Australian battalion is
withdrawn, the requirement for a company for security duties at Butterworth
will be met by providing the unit on rotation from Australia. This could be
presented publicly as being for training purposes’. Members of the Defence
Committee included service chiefs, and the secretaries of the Departments of
Defence, Prime Minister and Cabinet, Foreign Affairs and Treasury. Minutes of a
subsequent meeting of the Chiefs of Staff Committee, which is subordinate to
the Defence Committee, held on 17th October 1973 and
marked ‘CONFIDENTIAL’, record that the Chief of Air Staff ‘supported the CNS’s
[Chief of Naval Staff] comment that in moving away from Butterworth for the
training, the Committee was losing sight of the primary task of the Company.
Clearly, in the minds of the Chiefs of Staff, training was a secondary task.
Because the real reason for the RCB’s deployment,
‘security duties at Butterworth’ is contained in a Defence Committee document
classified ‘SECRET’ at the time and that the ‘training purposes’ was used as a
ruse any communication about the role would be strictly on a ‘need to know’
basis. Clearly, the August 1973 document referred to by the NOS Branch,
emanating from the subordinate committee, which ‘advised of the new RCB
rotation arrangements’ with its clear reference to overseas training in harmony
with Government policy was part of the deception.
Also relevant to the case is a Memorandum from the Australian
High Commission in Kuala Lumpur to the Secretary of the Department of Defence
and others dated 18 September 1973. It is clear from this that there were no
guarantees that training with Malaysia forces could be guaranteed at the time.
[Para 2] … There has been
absolutely no willingness on MINDEF’s [Malaysian Ministry of Defence] to
exercise Malaysian ground forces with ANZUK forces. However, the willingness to
have our Company carrying out training with Malaysian ground forces on
bi-lateral basis was most encouraging.
[Para 3] The only problem which
emerged is the one which we have suspected for quite some time and have
reported separately to another area in the Department of Defence. At present
there is no regular program for battalion or parts thereof to engage in formal
training exercises in the sense that we understand them in Australia. MINDEF
officers lamented that notwithstanding their efforts to have at least one
battalion continuously under training they as yet have been unable to achieve
this objective. Furthermore, they were unable to foresee when such an objective
was likely to be realised…
[Para 4] They thought it more
likely that any combined activity would be on an ad-hoc basis …
Which raises the question: ‘What training on a regular basis
could be carried out in Malaysia by the RCB that could not be realistically
done in Australia at less cost to the Australian tax payer?’
It must be noted that:
- In 1969 the army did not have a permanent presence in
Butterworth. It was subject to battalion training requirements in other parts
of Malaysia.
- The decision to rotate the RCB on a three monthly basis from
Australia was made in light of the decision to withdraw the Australian
Battalion from Singapore.
- This decision was a significant increased commitment to BAB,
especially given the additional cost of rotating troops from Australia.
- In 1969 the company detached to BAB remained under Army
control. The 1973 directive that training away from BAB required the approval
of the AOC Butterworth effectively placed control of the RCB with the RAAF.
- The Defence Committee minutes of January 1973 clearly
identify the purpose of the RCB deployment as ‘security duties’. Training was
used as a cover.
- Any training with Malaysia forces could not be guaranteed.
Evidence presented above also demonstrates the
increased concerns of Australian Service Chiefs for BAB security expressed in
October 1975. This clearly demonstrates a security threat requiring an armed
response.
The final document, dated 29 Nov 82, is a
directive from the Chief of Air Staff to the AOC Operational Command. It again
refers to a training role, states that the Company was available if needed for
the protection of Australian assets and property, and that it was not to be
‘employed operationally outside the Air Base Butterworth perimeter’.
Why does Defence
Ignore the Action of the Defence Committee?
Defense
claim that their ‘review examined official Government and Defence Force
correspondence available within Defence and from the Australian War Memorial
and National Archives of Australia.’ They present as part of their evidence a
minute of the Chiefs of Staff Committee to show that the primary role of the
RCB as training. Yet they ignore a ‘SECRET’ document from the higher level Defence
Committee that clearly states: ‘when the Australian battalion is withdrawn, the requirement for a
company for security duties at Butterworth will be met by providing the unit on
rotation from Australia. This could be presented publicly as being for training
purposes’. They have also ignored a subsequent Chiefs of Staff meeting
recording that the CAS ‘supported the CNS’s comment that in moving away from
Butterworth for the training, the Committee was losing sight of the primary
task of the Company’.
Why has
Defence failed to address this evidence?
The Training Argument
is Illogical
The training
argument is illogical.
●
When the decision to rotate
the RCB from Australia was made it was recognised there was little opportunity
for training with indigenous forces for the foreseeable future.
●
Historically the Australian Army has conducted jungle warfare training
at Canungra in Queensland. Canungra was used throughout the Vietnam era. Any
number of air bases in Australia were available to train army personnel in air
base defence. Overseas deployment for training purposes in the absence of
opportunity to train with host nation forces incurred an unnecessary cost to
the Australian taxpayer.
● That the RCB was involved in armed patrolling and Quick
Reaction Force duties that were in effect 24 hours a day is not disputed.
Weaponry included. 7.62 mm General Purpose Machine Guns M60, 7.62 mm
Self-Loading Rifles L1A1, 5.56 mm Automatic Rifles M16A1, 66mm Rocket Launchers
M72 (and its replacement the L1A2), 84 mm Medium Range Anti-Armour Weapon L14A1,
40mm Grenade Launcher M79, 40 mm Grenade Launcher M203 (mounted on the M16A1,
Claymore Mines M18A1 and Hand Grenades Fragmentation M26. These are the
standard weapons that armed a rifle company over the period in question, and
live ammunition for all of them was both available at all times for the QRF,
and, depending on the degree of risk at the time and command decisions by the
RCB Officer Commanding (and cleared by the BAB RAAF commander) carried in
accordance with guidance from Army’s Mounting Authority, HQ Field Force Command
and able to be used in accordance with specified Rules of Engagement (Rifle
Company Butterworth Supporters Group; Linwood, R, 2014).
● The use of live
weapons, especially of the type used, in a training role would add an
unnecessary level of risk to all personnel on the Base, the majority of whom
were not involved in training, as well as civilians near the base. These
included Australian service families living close by, workers in the adjoining
rice paddies, and travellers on the heavily congested highway between Penang
and Thailand running along the Western side of the base. An accidental weapon
discharge in these circumstance had the potential to cause real embarrassment
to the Australian Government both in Malaysia and Australia. Armed patrolling
only makes sense in the presence of an armed threat.
● The April 1974
mortar attack on Sungei Besi air base near Kuala Lumpur was of the type
foreseen in the 1971 Butterworth security assessment.
Other
Objections
Other evidence presented by Defence is, as stated above,
either reliant on a retrospective assessment or a consideration of matters
unrelated to the relevant legal parameters. Yet when the facts underpinning the
claims made by Defense are examined they only strengthen the claim for ‘warlike
service’ classification. This evidence reveals that both air force families and
military members were considered at risk by senior officers.
Shared Defence
Emergency Plan not Activated
The Review document, at paragraph 24 and following,
discusses the shared defence arrangements in place at BAB. At para 26 it
states: ‘There is no evidence that this Op Order was located or considered
within Defence as part of RCB matters before May 2011. Specific arrangements
for Base defence are given in paragraph 29:
The shared defence responsibilities
of these forces were:
a.
Malaysian personnel were responsible for external
defensive operations and access to the Base.
b. RAAF
personnel were responsible for internal defence activities. Inside the Base
perimeter, the RAAF Police and Airfield Defence Guards, with guard dogs,
provided the broad Base security functions. The remaining RAAF members
comprised Defence Flights, formed from the six RAAF squadrons on the Base, when
the GDOC [Ground Defence Operations Centre] was activated. Each Defence Flight
was responsible for the close protection of its squadron aircraft and/or
operational assets and other service assets in the same locality.
c.
RCB was shown in the GDOC organisation chart as one of
12 ground defence force elements … when deployed to Air Base Butterworth …
Then, at paragraph 30 it says:
It must be stated that the
foregoing defence activities and responsibilities were only in place during a
shared defence emergency at Butterworth. In that the Office of Air Force History
have advised that, following the issue of the Op Order, the GDOC was never
activated due to a shared emergency, then the nature of service must have
remained peace time subsequent to 8 Sep 71.
The first point to note is that this document is dated 8
September 1971 when, as seen above, there were no plans to withdraw the
Australian Battalion from Singapore.
Also of interest is the fact that in the documents sighted
by the author, which date to the end of 1975, there is no reference to Airfield
Defence Guards (ADGs) in any security role at BAB as is claimed to have been
the case by Defense. In 1975 the CAS advised the Minister that ADGs may find
greater acceptance with Malaysia in an off-base defensive arrangement (Rowland,
7 October 1975, para 4):
… No RAAF ground defence flights
are established at Butterworth, but four flights are established at Australian
bases. Their employment off base in their primary ground defence role may be
more acceptable as they can be readily identified as protecting RAAF assets as
part of a joint defensive arrangement.
Changes Post
September 1971
In a ‘CONFIDENTIAL’ handwritten minute, ‘ARA INFANTRY CO AT
BUT’, dated 11 Oct 74, Wing Commander J.I Brough noted:
[Para 1] On 10 Sep 74 I spoke with
Maj Roy Le Roy, SO2, DMO&P (Army) re the ARA rifle coy at BUT. He said that
prior to Jul 74 the Army interpretation of ASSP 1/73 “Plan Asbestos” was that
the coy was primarily in the area for training, incl training with the
Malaysian Army. However, since that time the coy has had the security of AUST
assets, property and persons at BUT as its primary task. But for political
reasons it was not possible to state this in low security classification
documents.
[Para 2] Since Jul 74 a minimum of
two pls [platoons] plus and elm [elements] of coy HQ always at Air Base BUT.
One pl may be away on exercises at any one time, incl exercises in Johore. This
pl has rear link comms with BUT.
[Para 3] Each pl currently has one
exercise away from the base during the coy’s period at BUT. This may increase
in the future, but will not change the arrangements for a minimum of two pls at
BUT.
In a later handwritten ‘SECRET’ minute Wing Commander Brough
dated 3 December 1974, ‘Butterworth Brief for Ministerial visit Dec 74’ advised
at paragraph 2.b:
Emergency security measures for the
protection of Australian assets and property is in the hands of the Australian
Infantry Company, with at least two platoons on call. They are assisted in the
first stage by a flight (platoon) made up of BSQN personnel, and in the second
stage by flights from 3 Sqn, 75 Sqn and 478 Sqn. The RMAF has a similar two
stage system.
Evidence Reveals
Significant Changes Post 1971
Evidence cited above reveals a significant change in
security arrangements since those outlined in the 1971 document referred to by
Defense.
- In 1971 the ARA Company was not
at BAB all year round because of training commitments with the Battalion in
Johore. By September 1974 at least two
platoons were stationed permanently at BAB with security their main role.
- The December 1974 minute states
that the RCB had prime responsibility for the protection of Australian assets
and property. They were assisted by a Base Squadron flight and, in the second
stage, by flights from other units. In 1971 RAAF units had the responsibility
for security as would be expected when the ARA Company was not always at BAB.
- That flights from numbers 3, 75
and 478 squadrons may not have been utilised in a shared defence emergency does
not negate the fact of defence arrangements consistent with those applied
against an armed threat in other active service settings. These other flights only had a role in a
situation requiring a second stage response.
A Coordinated Defense
Plan Appropriate to the Threat Assessment
A further ‘SECRET’ document, Malaysia: The Threat to Air Base Butterworth, (JIO Draft August 1975)
under the headings Security Measures to
Protect Base and Present Base
Security Arrangements, provides informative commentary on arrangements
existing at the time. The RCB provided specialist ground defence skills that
were not possessed by RAAF personnel. It provided a quick-reaction force on a
daily basis.
[Para 7] To support the operational function of Air
Base Butterworth in addition to aircraft and personnel there are considerable
installations and equipment located in areas that have been designated Vital
Points (VP) for defence in an ANZUK/Malaysia shared Defence Plan for the
protection of the Base in an emergency. Broadly speaking the Officer Commanding
RMAF has overall responsibility for the protection of the Base throughout each
24-hour period, and the Officer Commanding RAAF is responsible for the point
defence of RAAF aircraft and operational facilities and the protection of RAAF
families.
[Para 8] To assist OC RAAF an ARA Infantry Company is
permanently available at Butterworth as a quick-reaction force … but it may be
engaged in local training from time to time ... Other support is provided by
RAAF defence flights made up of RAAF non-specialist ground-defence personnel …
[Para 10] The RAAF Mirage flight lines are not guarded
during working hours when they are under surveillance by RAAF personnel;
outside these hours they are floodlit and guarded by pairs of armed RAAF Security
Guards with two dogs. RAAF Service Police carry out patrols in radio-equipped
vehicles at irregular intervals every night, and during the patrol they check
the security of Vital Points. They make reports to the Duty Security Controller
located in the RAAF guardroom.
[Para 11] The ARA Company assists with the protection
of RAAF personnel, property and shared facilities within the Base. It provides
a section (normally 10 men) as a quick-reaction force from 1800 to 0600 hours
daily.
The comment in paragraph 8 above regarding RCB training must
be seen in context. Two other documents cited above state quite clearly that at
least two platoons remained on call at BAB. Paragraph 8 also states that the
RCB was ‘permanently available’ and paragraph 11 confirms that a section
provided ‘a quick-reaction force … daily.’
This document confirms:
- The RAAF security guards were armed. Armed guarding is clear
evidence that this was not peacetime service.
- RAAF Service Police patrolled at irregular intervals
throughout the night, checked the security of Vital Points, and were in radio
contact with the Duty Security Controller.
- The RCB provided a permanent quick-reaction force throughout
the night to provide a specialist ground defence response to security
incidents.
This was clearly a coordinated security plan to respond to
the small scale isolated threats identified in threat assessments such as that
completed in 1971 and subsequently.
Increased Security
Measures in Light of Increased Security Concerns
On 3 April 1975 the CAS (Rowland) advised the Minister
regarding the security situation in Butterworth.
[Para 1] OC Butterworth has advised
that rocket attacks have taken place at RMAF Base Sempang (Kuala Lumpur) and a
military installation at Penang on 31 March and 1 April 1975. The RMAF has also
advised of possible threats to Butterworth.
[Para 2] Increased security
arrangements have been implemented at Butterworth including controlled access
to the base and vehicle search, dispersal of aircraft and patrols of aircraft
lines. The RMAF has also planned dispersal of their aircraft to other bases.
[Para 4] The period of tension is
expected to last until at least 22 April and probably for a further month.
[Para 5] There is some feeling
among the Malaysian authorities that this activity is being spurred on by
successes in Vietnam. However 6MIB (Malaysian Infantry Brigade responsible for
area security) has reported that they do not consider the activity to be
connected with operations in Vietnam.
On 7 April 1975 the CAS (Rowland) advised the minister in a
‘SECRET’ document Butterworth Base
Security and Security of C130 Aircraft in South Vietnam at para 1
‘increased security arrangements have been implemented at Butterworth,
including:
a. increased patrolling and guard
post manning by Malaysian Military Police;
b. tightened control of access to
the base, and vehicle search of all civilian vehicles entering and leaving the
base;
c.
an extension of RAAF police dog patrols;
d. the use of Australian Infantry Company
personnel on picket duty; and
e. limited
dispersal of RAAF Mirage and C47 aircraft.
Annex A to HQBUT 5/1/AIR (72) dated 11 July 1975 ‘SECRET’,
responds ‘to specific questions relating to the security of Air Base
Butterworth …’ These questions are not repeated in the document. The answers
following confirm communist activity in areas adjacent to the Base and confirm
the implementation of a local defence contingency plan by the OC RMAF Butterworth.
Question 1. 6MIB
[Malaysian Infantry Regiment] is responsible for the conduct of operations and
the preservation of public order in the States of Perlis, Kedah, Province
Wellesley and Penang. Preservation of public order would only be implemented if
this task was beyond the capability of the Malaysian Police.
Question 2. d.
Isolated CT incidents and consequent Security Forces follow-up operations
adjacent to Air Base Butterworth have been reported in HQ Butterworth
Intelligence Reports to DAFI.
Question 4. Local
authoritative sources have stated that no known Malaysian Security Force
contingency plan exists for the reinforcement of Air Base Butterworth. It is
not known if such a plan exists at Ministry of Defence. The locally [sic] plan which has been implemented
once in 1975 is for troops to be deployed to the Air Base from either Penang or
Sungei Patani on request from OC RMAF Butterworth to HQ 6MIB. The size of this
force is very much dependant upon required reaction time and availability of
Security Forces in the area, as 6MIB is normally committed to CT operations in
sensitive areas, particularly on the Thai/Malaysian border.
On 5 August 1975 a ‘SECRET’ Cipher message from HQBUT to
DEFAIR Canberra 65 GL Section, and as information to other recipients (Farley)
reports on increased security measures at the Base following evidence of
‘suspected attempted entry to Air Base Butterworth’ and the displaying of ‘a
large banner celebrating CPM (ML) anniversary and 2 communist flags ... on large
billboard on Alor Star road 2 and one half miles from Air Base Butterworth’:
Increased security consisting of 5
standing patrols of half section strength deployed during hours of darkness,
one section picket of aircraft lines and AIRMOV area and normal ready reaction
section will continue until at least 8 August. Belated report states 2
uniformed and armed CT sighted on 27 June near Bukit Chempedak approx. 3 miles
northeast Sungei Bakap Province Wellesley.
Again, on 7 October 1975, in a ‘SECRET’ document Security of Butterworth, the CAS, J. A.
Rowland informed the Minister of security arrangements at the Base.
[Para 1] Since my Minute of 7APR75, the security
arrangements at Butterworth have been maintained, but due to the difficulty of
maintaining the additional level of security on dispersed Mirage and C47 lines,
dispersal arrangements have been modified.
[Para 2] The recent intelligence information
concerning possible CTO intentions to launch rocket attacks on bases in
Malaysia increases concern regarding the security of areas around the base …
[Para 4] On-base security
arrangements to protect against sabotage or to react quickly to any attempted
incursions by CT groups are satisfactory. An ARA Company on three monthly
rotation provides a quick reaction force against attacks on the base, but are
currently prevented from operations off the base …
Key Points
Security arrangements at BAB were ramped up in response to an
increased threat of CT attacks. These included:
- standing patrols, increased picketing and the extension of
RAAF Security Guard patrols; and
- limited dispersal of aircraft.
Note: According
to Mr Robert Cross of the RCB Review
Group, ‘standing
patrols are basically a small group of soldiers about 4-8 persons,
positioned forward of a defensive area to give early warning of enemy
approaches, armed and ready for action if operating in a warlike situation’.
This explanation harmonises with on line references such as Wikipedia, UNTERM
and the The Free Dictionary.
In addition:
- the RMAF had plans to disperse aircraft to other bases; and
- the OC RMAF had initiated a local contingency plan for the
defense of BAB.
Defence’s Assertions
Demonstrated to be False
Defence state that as the joint operational plan for the
defence of BAB ‘was never activated due to a shared defence emergency, then the
nature of service at Butterworth must have remained peacetime service
subsequent to 8 Sep 71’ (Review, para 30). This assertion is demonstrated to be
false by the facts as revealed in documents classified as ‘SECRET’ at the time:
- There was a clearly expressed expectation that an attack
could take place at any time without warning. Real concern was expressed over
the acquisition of rockets by the CTs and of their intentions to launch rocket
attacks on military bases.
- While Military Commanders at the time had no reason for
believing BAB would be singled out for attack, neither did they have any reason
for expecting that no attack would occur.
- In response to these concerns standing patrols and increased
picketing were implemented. RAAF Security Guards were armed, the RCB provided a
QRF from 1800 hrs to 0600 hrs daily and aircraft were dispersed as a protective
measure.
- Clearly, arrangements to respond to an armed threat were in
place and the level of security increased as commanders considered appropriate
to the intelligence received.
As Clarke says at paragraphs 11.59 and 11.60, military
commanders make decisions regarding the likelihood of attack and the need to
protect an area without knowing the intentions of the enemy. ‘If then, the military authorities
consider that a particular area is vulnerable to attack and dispatch armed
forces there, they are sending forces into harm’s way, or danger. This was the
second point made by Mohr - that veterans ordered to proceed to an area where
they are endangered by the enemy will not only perceive danger, but to them the
danger will be an objective one based on rational and reasonable grounds. In
these circumstances, what the historian says he or she has learned since the
war about the actual intention of the enemy is hardly relevant.’
Defence’s
argument that the plan for a shared defence emergency was never implemented is,
as Clarke says, ‘hardly relevant.’
Civilian and –
Butterworth Region
From paragraph 32 on the Review document outlines the
civilian and domestic environment in the Butterworth region. It includes as
evidence to support the peacetime service claim the location of the Officers
mess, married quarters, hospital and recreational areas outside the base fence.
33. The RAAF Officers Mess, RAAF
Hospital and Boat Club, located directly opposite the Base and across the
separating main road (the western boundary of the Base), at all times had fully
open access with no protective arrangements in place.
34. Similarly, married quarters for
RAAF families were located across the same road (nearest about 30 m from the
Base fence) with no active protection and no restrictions on car, taxi or bus
travel in the Butterworth region, and travel via ferry to Penang Island.
Again, ‘SECRET’ documents reveal a different picture.
RAAF Families at Risk
·
The ANZUK Intelligence Group at paragraph 13
states: ‘The main static defence of the Base east of the north-south road is a
perimeter fence, due to be completed at the end November, 1971.’ BAB was in use
throughout the earlier Emergency. 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 …
(RAD School Magazine, Vol. 38). While Defense’s objection regarding the
presence of families is largely irrelevant, it appears more likely than not
that married quarters had never been fenced.
·
Fencing of the areas under question was advised
against by Wing Commander J. I. Brough (undated, security classification not
identified):
I could not support the request for a perimeter fence,
particularly surrounding the area of the Officers and SNCOs messes, and the
hospital. A fence which is not, and will not be, under constant surveillance is
of no use as a ground defence measure. Indeed, it may have the opposite effect
to that intended, giving a false sense of security.
·
A ‘CONFIDENTIAL’ RAAF Families Protection Plan,
dated 8 May 1972, states at paragraph 1 (1): ‘There is a threat of racial
communal disturbances to families resident in Base Married Quarters, housing
estates and hirings in Butterworth and Penang’. This document alone should be
sufficient to demonstrate that Butterworth was not normal peacetime service.
·
A ‘SECRET’ JIO draft The Threat to Air Base Butterworth, dated Aug 75 (p.p. 5 & 6), describes
the operation of the Families Protection Plan at the time:
The OC RAAF Butterworth has
delegated to the CO Base Squadron the responsibility of the Families Protection
Plan. The Assistant Provost Marshal (APM) has been delegated the responsibility
for implementing the operational aspects of the plan. To facilitate the
function of the Plan the APM maintains two control centres that direct a
network of wardens within zoned areas of Butterworth and Penang. All zones and
the control centres maintain continuous radio contact. In an emergency families
would be directed to guarded safe areas.
On 7 April 1975 the CAS, AM J.A.
Rowland, informed the Minister of ‘increased security arrangements’ that had
‘been implemented at Butterworth, including arrangements for the protection of
families.
To supplement the
Australian forces available for security duty, including off-base family
security patrols, nine RAAF Service Police (SP) departed Australia on 4 Apr 75.
·
By 1975 it appears the presence of families may
have added a level of complexity to decision making that senior military
officers could have done without. This is shown in the ‘SECRET’ draft Department
of Air document Brief for DCAS Concerning
Security of Butterworth, 564/8/28 (undated but internal evidence verifies
October 1975). Under the general heading ‘Effect of Attacks on RAAF
Butterworth’ it states at paragraph 12 that the ‘obvious and immediate effects
from rocket mortar and other forms of attack’ would be ‘the death and injury to
personnel including families …’ This was considered likely to result in
political agitation in Australia ‘for the withdrawal of RAAF units … or at
least dependent families ... Such a ‘withdrawal’ would be politically
advantageous to the CTs and potentially damaging to Australia’s prestige in
SEA.’ It was also considered that ‘An increase in the level of defence
preparedness including signs of defensive works against rocket attacks’ could
result in ‘an unestimated number of
families’ demanding ‘repatriation to Australia’ (para 13. 12(b)).
Evidence cited above clearly
shows that the types of attack listed in the draft brief were considered a
definite possibility at the time. Paragraph 26 of the draft brief considered
that adequate protection could ‘be provided by simple shelters. However, the
number and disposition of shelters required to provide protection throughout
the base and adjacent married quarters may not be justified by the present
threat.’ It concluded at paragraph 27 that the ‘most important requirement is
to ensure the base has adequate emergency response arrangements to deal with
casualties and to recover from the effects of an attack.’
RAAF families had become inadvertent pawns in Australia’s
international relationships, exposed to risks normally reserved for Defense
personnel in other than normal peacetime service.
Curfews in the
Butterworth Region
The Straits Times of 14th September 1975 reports a
curfew was imposed ‘In certain areas in the three districts of Butterworth’
from the following day. Announcing the curfew, Penang’s Chief Minister Dr. Lim
Chong Eu said that the curfew did not apply to through traffic north or south
bound but that ‘under no circumstances would they be allowed to stop at any
point on the route’. ‘SECRET’ FARLEY
document A107 of 25th September 1975 confirms ‘curfews remain in
place in three districts of Province Wellesley’.
According to the 1971 Threat Assessment at paragraph 33,
Malaysian Security Forces had ‘restricted road travel around the Gunong Bongsu
Forest Reserve east of Kulim, and about 15 miles from the Base, an indication
of official concern for the safety of military and civilian road traffic in an
area of continuous CT presence’. Contrary to claims made by Defence, travel
restrictions existed.
Schooling for
Commonwealth Forces Children during the Emergency and Confrontation
Throughout the 1948 – 1960 Emergency families accompanied Commonwealth
service personnel to Malaya and schooling for their children was provided at
Butterworth, Penang, the Cameron Highlands and in Singapore (RAAF School
Penang). 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 … (RAD School Magazine, Vol. 38).
RAAF School Penang operated continuously from its opening until it was closed
in 1988 (RAAF School Penang). This period included the final years of the
Malayan Emergency and the Indonesian Confrontation, during which service at
Butterworth is recognised as warlike.
Penang, a Popular
Rest and Recreation Destination during the Emergency
Defence also point to the fact that ‘Penang was a formal
Rest and Recuperation leave centre’ during the Vietnam Conflict (ending 1972)
and that there were no travel restrictions in Penang and Province Wellesley. Penang
was likewise 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, especially after 1955 ‘when it was evident that the communists
were on the run and the government had gained the upper hand’ (MM2H Malaysia My Second Home Forum).
Obviously there were no restrictions on these personnel during the Emergency.
Province Wellesley, as reported above, was declared ‘white’ in August 1954,
meaning that all travel restrictions in the area were lifted.
Again, the evidence claimed by Defence is not supported by
the facts. More importantly, they are hardly relevant and not matters that
require consideration according to the criteria governing defense awards and
service recognition.
Key Points
- A ‘Families Protection Plan’ was maintained at Butterworth
because of perceived risks to RAAF families. In 1975 this was boosted by nine
additional RAAF Service Police who were to be involved in off-base patrolling.
- The likelihood of attacks on BAB exposed families to the
risk of death or injury but it was decided to retain families in Malaysia because
of the political fallout that would follow their repatriation to Australia.
- Curfews, and therefore travel restrictions, existed within
the Butterworth region.
Post 1975
Most evidence uncovered to date by Butterworth veterans
covers the period 1971 to the end of 1975. One other informative document is
the ‘RESTRICTED’ END OF TOUR REPORT BY B
COY 1 RAR, 9 DEC 81 – 17 FEB 82, dated 16 February 1982, authored by Major
R.J. Linwood, Officer Commanding (Linwood, 1982). This clearly shows the
continuation of warlike service at BAB.
Under the heading ‘Quick Reaction Force (QRF) the Major
reported:
[para 8] The requirements of
Reference A were met. No real incidents occurred, however twice daily and twice
nightly the QRF was reacted on drill callouts. No operational tasks were issued
by OC RAAF Base Butterworth.
[para 9] Security levels were
increased over the Christmas/New Year period, the Chinese New Year and
Thaipussam (Indian Religious Period) as a routine precaution.
[para 10] The same system of continuously
maintaining three full QRF sections was adopted. However, extensive training
programs were continued and the problems of boredom and weariness were not
experience due to correct training management by the platoon commanders during
the time their platoon was assigned QRF responsibilities.
[para 11] Substantial liaison was
effected with the RMAF Commando Force (Handau) which is also stationed at
BUTTERWORTH with similar duties to minimize the possibility of patrol clashes.
A document was prepared and
submitted to FF Comd listing key phrases in Bahasa Malay, English and phonetic
Australian, to be included in future preparatory programs. No incidents
occurred, but the very real probability exists for a clash, as Handau troops
now man the armed sentry posts on the perimeter, some of which are
uncomfortably close to Key Points (KP). As they are without communications,
usually with weapons in the action or instant condition and practise different
rules of engagement is not hard to imagine the possibility of a clash between
one of these posts and an Australian QRF drill reaction to nearby KP.
[para 12] GDOC and other necessary
agencies here are aware of this problem and currently close liaison has been
sufficient to prevent any clashes. The same situation cannot be guaranteed in a
period of threat.
The above demonstrates the continued QRF role provided by
RCB. The para. 8 comment ‘No real incidents occurred …’ would only have been
included if there had been an expectation that there could have been. As has
been demonstrated earlier, increased security measures were implemented when
considered necessary. Major Linwood also confirms that the Malaysian Commando
force on security duty at BAB were armed ready for immediate response to any
threat and that this posed a real threat to Australian soldiers on QRF duties.
At paragraph 15 the Major recommended a sniper team be
included as part of future companies because of ‘their capacity for discriminatory and
highly selective long range shooting in the event of hostilities …’ This
recommendation only makes sense if it were considered there was a real threat
of hostilities.
Comment on the opportunity for off base training are
included at paragraph 38. Again they confirm the presence of an armed threat
highlighted by increasing communist activities and the need to carry live
rounds off the base.
The opportunities for training both
on and off the base are almost unlimited … However, an important factor to note
in view of increasing CT incidents in the country is the desirability of taking
adequate protective measures when training off base. In accordance with
Reference A, Annex D, it was decided to issue ball ammunition to selected
personnel during most outside training. Approval was obtained from OC RAAF Base
to do so.
Annex C to the report provides a summary of offences
committed by the Company members whilst at BAB. Each offence listed starts with
the abbreviation WOWS, short for ‘While on War Service’, again showing the
warlike nature of service at BAB.
As the RCB rotations were three monthly, mandatory
post-deployment reports such as the above were required to be submitted to the
Mounting Authority, HQ Field Force Command. These reports, evidenced by the
sample above, were required by RCB Mounting Instructions such as HQ Field Force
Command Staff Instruction 2/79 and others like it before and after B Coy 1
RAR’s. These reports form both a continuous official record over the period in
question of what the RCB actually did to meet their mission, and are supported by
a sizeable photographic record which further lends evidence to the conduct of
“warlike service” including the carriage of live ammunition and other fighting
capability both on and off BAB (Linwood, 2014).
Conclusion
In a ‘SECRET’ document, Butterworth
Security, 564/8/28, dated 14th October 1975, the DCAS (Deputy
Chief of Air Staff) AVM N.P. McNamara, outlines some of the difficulties
encountered by military commanders facing a threat of the type posed by the
Malaysian Communists. The CT had mobility, freedom of movement, a selection of
targets and weapons with which to attack those targets. While the risk of
attack on Butterworth itself may have been reasonably low, the consequences of
such an attack was ‘extremely high’. To ignore the threat was to court
disaster.
[Para 3] CT operations are
particularly insideous from a defensive viewpoint. The terrorist has freedom of
movement in the civil community, a reasonably wide choice in the selection of
targets and types of weapons or nefarious explosive devices which can be used
to attack or sabotage personnel, assets and facilities. The defensive penalty
in the face of these kinds of threats is the diversion of large numbers of
security force personnel to counter possibility of CT attacks. To ignore the
threat of attack is to risk an extremely high loss in terms of assets with
attendant military ignominy, and in terms of political, psychological gains for
the CTO. The extent to which both Malaysian and Australian forces are prepared
to engage in protracted defensive operations in a compromise situation is the
question to be determined.
The evidence discovered by RCB veterans and presented in
this paper shows that the threat was not ignored. From as early as 1971 there
was a clear expectation that the Base could come under attack at any time
without warning. As part of the response to that threat an army rifle company
was deployed to BAB to provide a specialist ground defence presence. It was
involved in armed patrolling and employed as a Quick Reaction Force.
The threat escalated throughout the early 1970s resulting in
the implementation of increased security measures including increased
patrolling, the construction of aircraft revetments and additional RAAF Service
Police being sent to Butterworth to protect RAAF families who were also
considered to be at risk.
Service at Butterworth during the Communist Insurgency War
is at least equivalent to that rendered at Ubon, Thailand in the 1960s. The
evidence also indicates that there was a higher risk to personnel at BAB during
this period than at any time after Province Wellesley was declared a ‘white
area’ in 1954 during the 1948-60 Emergency.
When all the facts are considered the evidence clearly
supports the claim for recognition of service at BAB throughout the 1968-1989
Insurgency War as warlike. Anything less leaves Butterworth veterans
‘overlooked or degraded’ when compared to those who have rendered ‘comparable
service.’ Justice has been denied this group for too long and any further unnecessary
delay can only compound the injustice already suffered.
Former Defense Minister, the Honourable Stephen Smith, in
what appears to be the only honest statement emanating from the Department of
Defense, spoke of the RCB role in an address given at Curtain University on 10
November 2011. Addressing the 35th meeting of the Australia Member Committee of the Council
for Security Cooperation in the Asia Pacific Smith made no mention of
training, a strange omission if this was the prime role of the RCB.
In 1973, an Australian Infantry Company was established as Rifle
Company Butterworth in Malaysia. This provided a protective and quick-reaction
force to assist our regional partners during a resurgence of the Communist
insurgency
Recommendations
1.
That all Australian military personnel serving
at BAB during the 1968-1989 Communist Insurgency War be granted warlike service
classification accompanied by all medallic and repatriation benefits accruing
from such service.
2.
Similarly that warlike service classification accompanied
by all medallic and repatriation benefits accruing from such service be granted
to all Australian military personnel who served in other places in Peninsular
Malaysia during the Insurgency War, such as those RAAF personnel at Alor Star in
the 1970s and Australian Army Advisors who may have served in different
locations in the country.
3.
That the Australian Government communicate with
the Malaysian Government to extend the qualifying period for the Pingat Jasa Malaysia (PJM) to the end of
the Communist Insurgency War as originally offered by Malaysia.
References
·
Annex A to HQBUT 5/1/AIR (72), 11 July 1975, Security – Air Base Butterworth
·
ANZUK Intelligence Group (Singapore), Note No.
1/1971, 30 November, 1971,The Threat to Air
Base Butterworth up to the End of 1972, Singapore
·
Australian High Commission, Kuala Lumpur,
Memorandum, To: The Secretary, Department of Defence, Canberra; and The
Secretary, Department of the Army, Canberra, Memorandum No. Def.739, 18
September 1973, Subject Australian Rifle
Company at Butterworth
·
Barber, Noel, 1971, 2004, The war of the running dogs – How
Malaya defeated the communist guerrillas 1948 – 1960, William Collins,
Paperback Edition by Cassell.
·
Brough, J.I. 589/38/4(40), (undated), Air Base Butterworth – Fencing.
·
Brough, J.I., Minute, 11 October 1974, ARA Infantry Company at But
·
Brough, J.I., Minute, 3 December 1974, Butterworth Brief for Ministerial Visit Dec
74,
·
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
·
Chiefs of Staff Committee, Minute of Meeting Held on 17 October 1973, Minute No 67/1973.
·
CIDA – Report of the Committee of Inquiry into
Defence Awards, 1994
·
Clarke, John, the Honourable, QC (Chairman),
January 2003 Report of the Review of
Veterans’ Entitlements
·
Cross, Robert, 11 December 2013, Personal
Communication
·
Defence Committee, Minute of Meeting Held on 11 January 1973, Minute No. 2/1973,
National Archives of Australia, barcode 693064
·
Department of Air, Brief for DCAS Concerning Security of Butterworth, 564/8/28
(undated but internal evidence verifies October 1975).
·
Families Protection Plan, 1972. This document,
sourced from the Australian War Museum, is under the cover of a document ‘oMAI
73, AHM FPO 5 o/o CPO Singapore, 6 March 1973.
·
FARLEY, Cipher message from HQBUT to DEFAIR Canberra 65 GL
Section, Siterep Butterworth and North
Peninsular Malaysia, 2 August 1975.
·
FARLEY, from HQBUT to DEFAIR Canberra 65 GL
Section, Siterep Butterworth and North
Peninsular Malaysia, 25 September 1975
·
Free Dictionary, The, accessed at http://www.thefreedictionary.com/standing+patrol,
21 January 1914.
·
Hawke, Allan Secretary,
Allan.Hawke@cbr.defence.gov.au, Email, Monday, 4 September 2000 9:46 AM.
·
HQ
Field Force Command Staff Instruction 2/79
·
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.
·
JIO Draft, August 1975, Malaysia: The Threat to Air Base Butterworth.
·
JIO, 2 October 1975, JIO Assessment of Threat and Likely Method of Attack, 554/9/33(87),
as Annex A to: Rowland, 7 October 1975, Security
of Butterworth, addressed to ‘Minister’.
·
Linwood, R.J, Major, 16 February 1982, End of tour report by B Coy 1 RAR 9 Dec 81 –
17 Feb 1982, Australian Army R723-1-1
·
Linwood, R, 1 February 2014, Personal
Communication
·
McNamara, N.P., AVM, DCAS, 14 October 1975, Butterworth Security, 564/8/28
·
Military History Encyclopedia on the Web, The Malayan Emergency 1947-1960, at http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/wars_malaya.html,
accessed 14 Nov 2013.
·
MM2H Malaysia My Second Home Forum, at http://www.my2home.info/index.php?topic=1436.0, accessed 10 Sep 2012.
·
Mohamed Ghazemy Mahmud (Translator), The Malaysian Army’s Battle Against
Communist Insurgency 1968-1989, Army Headquarters, Ministry of Defence,
Wisma Pertahanan, Jalan Padang Tembak, 50634 Kuala Lumpur, First Printing and
originally published in 2001 in the Malay language as ‘Tentera Darat Manentang
Insurgensi Komunis 1968-1989.
·
Mohr, R.F, The Honourable, February 2000, Review of Service
Entitlement Anomalies in Respect of South-East Asian Service 1955-75
·
Nature of Service Branch, 14 October 2011, 2011 Nature or Service Branch Review ADF Service at RAAF Butterworth –
1970-1989.
·
Nature of Service Branch, 14 October 2011, Background Information Paper Nature of Service Classification – ADF
Service at RAAF Butterworth
·
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
·
Rifle Company Butterworth Supporters Group, Complaint One, a copy of which is held
by the Author.
·
Rowland, J.A, AM, CAS, 3 April 1975, Department
of Defence (Air Office) Minute 418/4/12, Butterworth
Base Security
·
Rowland, 7 October 1975, Butterworth Base Security and Security of C130 Aircraft in South
Vietnam, addressed to ‘Minister,’
·
Senator the Hon David Feeney, Parliamentary
Secretary for Defence, 19 May 2012, Letter, to Mr Robert Cross, RCB Review Group
·
Smith, Stephen, Minister for Defence, 10
November 2011, , Address to the
Australian Member Committee of the Council for Security Cooperation in the Asia
Pacific, 35th AUS – CSCAP Meeting, Curtain University, Perth,
accessed at http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/2011/11/10/minister-for-defence-address-to-the-australian-member-committee-of-the-council-for-security-cooperation-in-the-asia-pacific/,
4 Dec 2013.
·
Straits Times, The, articles accessed at http://newspapers.nl.sg/Default.aspx,
8 October 2013
·
Straits Times, The, 15 August 1954, Two More Areas Are Now Declared White:
160,000 people ‘freed’, p.3
·
Straits Times, The, 9 March 1971, Reds blow up railway track in north Malaysia,
p.1
·
Straits Times, The, 24 April 1971, Two bomb blasts in Penang¸ p.2
·
Straits Times, The, 16 May 1971, Security Forces Kill 4 Reds, p.1
·
Straits Times, The, 29 June 1971, Peril in five states; Red threat very real,
says Tun, p.1
·
Straits Times, The, 29 October 1971, New Red Group in Malaysia: Banners announce
CPM split, p.1
·
Straits Times, The, 10 May 1975, , 4 states in joint action against reds,
p.20
