One of huge factors in British successful Malayan Emergency (1948-1960) campaign was the deployment of the Iban Trackers from British Sarawak (1945-1963) for their highly prized expertise in jungle environment, especially in tracking the trails left by CTs and also in dismantling CTs' hidden booby traps. Most of Iban Trackers' successful engagement against CTs end up with de4d CTs' head severed from their bodies by those trackers as part old tradition of "head-hunting". It does caused a controversy until the trackers have been strictly ordered by the British high command to ceased their "head-severing" practice on CTs' corpse.
They really fought. Not gonna downplaying the Malay role in this situation but I would say, the problem with the Malay tribe was, while majority of them were fighting, there were some betrayer among them
@@tab7madeup the numbers were quite small. Most Malays were on the British and Malay Rulers side. Plus, communism ideals promotes atheism and doesn't recognize any religious beliefs.
Mylate uncle served as a member of the SAS in Malaya in this period. Only ever saw one photo of his time there and he flatly refused to talk about it except to my Dad who served in the Confrontation years in Borneo whilst we lived in Kluang in 1963.
Had to give a mention to the best jungle warfare unit during the First Malayan Emergency (1948 - 1960), Second Malayan Emergency (1968 - 1989) and also Vietnam War, Malaysia's Senoi Praaq Special Forces. The Senoi Praaq is a Malaysian special forces unit originally created in 1956 by the British colonial authorities to fight communism during the First Malayan Emergency. They were recruited from the indigenous aborigines of Peninsular Malaysia. The unit began as a creature of British Military Intelligence and fought in the deep jungle as Special Air Service (SAS) protégés, eventually replacing the latter upon Malaysian independence from the British in 1957. The British 22 SAS bestowed the maroon beret on the unit in recognition of their services to them, which they still wear to this day. The extraordinary jungle survival and tracking skills of these aborigines were legendary and the British feared that the Communist Terrorists would gain an advantage if these skills were utilized against the British. By the way, during the Malayan Emergency, the Communist forces were actually called Communist Terrorists ("CT") by the British forces and the press. So, if you read historical accounts of them, they would be called CTs for short. Before the Senoi Praaq was deployed into an area, conventional units would withdraw, allowing the Senoi Praaq complete, unrestricted freedom of movement in the operational area. The jungle skills, stealth, endurance, and fighting skills of the Senoi Praaq made them feared adversaries of the communists in Malaya. The unit attained a respectable body count and legends arose of incidents when the Senoi Praaq would count up 10 kills in a single, swift engagement. The Senoi Praaq Squadrons achieved a casualty ratio of 16:1 for killed, wounded or surrendered (better than the SAS or Gurkhas at that time). Though the Senoi Praaq troopers were given a choice of weapons, they reportedly enjoyed scoring kills using their traditional weapons - the blowpipe with cyanide-tipped darts being a favourite. They particularly enjoyed a leisurely hunt that would take a few days, stalking their prey as if they were tracking game. The Senoi Praaq quickly established a ruthless reputation among the communist forces who took great pains to avoid the Senoi Praaq. Though they had access to air and artillery support, these were rarely used. Instead, the Senoi Praaq preferred more intimate tactics. British Lt Col Noone, the founder of the Senoi Praaq, along with a group of Senoi Praaq members were sent to An Khe, Vietnam in early 1963 at the request of South Vietnam President Diem to train the indigenous groups there. They were asked to train them on counter-insurgency operations as had been successfully carried out in Malaya while fighting the communists during the Malayan Emergency. They were also responsible for forming the Montagnard Scouts team under the CIA-led MSP (Mountain Scout Programme) in co-operation with BRIAM (British Advisory Mission). The CIA called them the "Whispering Death" for their mode of operation and used to them to carry out covert missions in Laos. The Saigon government were so impressed by them that they wanted them to be under their direct control. However, they faced hostility from regular South Vietnamese forces, especially their special forces. Due to this intense animosity between the Vietnamese Special Forces and Noone’s team, Noone requested for his team’s removal from Vietnam. The Senoi Praaq team withdrew at the end of 1963 when the Confrontation with Indonesia began (1963-1966). At around the same time President Diem was assassinated by a CIA supported military coup.
I served in Malaysia 76 78, served alongside many NCOs and officers, we operating in monthly operations, I was on a TOD with the Malaysian recon Sqn, sadly after I returned to Singapore for R&R, they were ambushed on the Thailand border and killed, I was informed but not to mention, our battalion was finally withdrawn in 1989, our infantry bn and SAS were in Malaya and then Malaysia from 1954 till 1989,
I've spent years living in the jungles of Asia, and it's an unforgiving environment. I met many SAS soldiers who I found excellent and committed soldiers. I enjoyed their company and humour. Great bunch of guys. 😅
Colonial misfits bit unkind. Many were rhodesian regular soldiers who went on the form the nucleus of one of the best small armies in the world. Then major peter walls Malayan scouts established C squadron Rhodesia SAS and then colour Sergent Ron Reid Daly established the rhodesian Selous Scouts.
Australian troops were the first to take the fight to the Japanese and win at the battle of Milne Bay. The Chindits didn't go into Burma to fight the Japanese until February 1943 and the battle of Milne Bay was months prior in August and September 1942. Australian forces also served in the Malayan emergency and the later Indonesian Confrontation. Some of the historical footage is likely of Australians as they were firing Owen guns.
True but the diggers sent into milne bay were zero jungle trained and in desert khaki... what the chindits achieved in LR ops /jungle was totally different style of jungle warfare. Not fiht for your life on a PNG ridgeline. very best. 2SQN SASR.
the SAS jungle training and motivation gave rise to organized local expertise in jungle warfare. sure the locals, especially the Iban trackers were all familiar to some degree with the jungles here but it took training and leadership to assemble an army that could operate, fight and win against a diehard and skilled jungle foe.
My dad was in the nth Surreys in the telok anson region. He came home never the same. They had a combat dog called colonel who killed more bandits than his bren gun. 5 bandits. When he came home, he never spoke about his time there till his last years.
My father was SadO of Changi, I would be woken up in the morning by the army convoy from Selerang barracks going up to Malaya. When we travelled we would have an army scout jeep with us. I would speak to the soldiers about the things that did, as a schoolboy it all left a mark on me.
I have a pint pewter mug with a huge Gordon Highlanders cast pewter badge soldered on the side. It is rather a nice piece! I have a few highland warriors amongst my ancesters too. / It must have been an interesting time for your father! / My best friend was born in Malaya in 1952, and his father was a rubber planter, who was evacuated to Australia. After training, he was dropped into Malaya as a radio operater. Brave man! So my friend just about remembers the need for security. /
What... with an SLR that has no rear sight leaf or cocking handle (its resin) - in 1950?? It's not a real rifle, mate. And they are actors in a cheap reconstruction using the wrong weapons. So yes...not a real soldier.
My poor old dad was seconded by the Britich from the RAAF, when he was a young bloke building the Butterworth air base He still wakes up screaming from time to time
My Dad served in Malaya at this time in the Royal Artillery attached to the Burma Rifles as part of the Commonwealth Brigade. As far as the SAS is concerned this time in their history isn't the best...a number of SAS members at this time were essentially loopy as you'd have to be loopy to attempt parachuting into the jungle. On the bright side it was the lessons learned from this period that allowed the SAS phoenix to rise to the heights it still holds today.
The main force was. Royal Marines. Supported by various other troops. Including Gurkas. My Uncle fought there. As a royal marine. With the Australians South Africans. Etc. a mortar blew up next to him. And he had 1000s of tiny metal splinters in his hips Guts ass. Spine. For the rest of his life. He walked like a zombie. Frankenstein. But as a human. He struggled the rest of his life with MORPHINE/Codine/etc. addiction from the constant pain they couldn’t get all the splinter out of his spine /Hips. Siatica nerves. Those men are not remembered just like our BURMA lads. Who after the war died in there hundreds from protracted Tropical disorders RIP. LADS.
My Dad was in the RAF from 1946 to 1955 and spent most of his service with 205 sqn based at RAF Seletar in Singapore. This was a flying boat squadron using the Short Sunderland. One of their tasks was to bomb the CTs in the jungle. They couldn't see what they were aiming at, nor could they see what they hit.
My Father inlaw was a Malay Tracker he very Rarely spoke about it. But when he did it was very Frightening mixed with Humour.! Obviously not a world i know .
The scene in Gurney ambush was not accurate. He was in the car with his wife and driver. When his car was ambushed, his armored escorts were quite a distance apart, so he was in a hopeless position with the car and its occupants taking heavy fire from the CTs firing from across the road. Apparently, he got out of the car, went to the other side of the road to draw the fire away from the car, his wife and the driver, thus sacrificing himself to save others. That's the version I heard and read about. On the CTs side of the story, they revealed decades later (in Chin Peng's book, written, after the peace talks), they were just setting an ambush and did no know that it was Gurney who came along. They only knew it after reading/hearing it in the news the next day. Although this video is focus on jungle warfare, SAS etc., the role the Police Special Branch (Trained by Scotland Yard) cannot be ignored. They played a major role in intelligence gathering, including infiltrating (undercover) into the CTs camp (both urban and jungle camps). With the intel gathered, the army then, knew where the supply routes, the whereabouts of the CTs in the vast jungle for their "search and destroy". Cheers.
ABSOLUTELY - I read 'The Jungle is Neutral' by F Spencer Chapman on my first deployment to Malaysia in 1979. And through the next 45 years, until my last job in Northern Thailand (August 2024) the lessons of the Malay Emergency have been my operational foundation. All that war-fighting stuff looks good, but solid intelligence gathering is the basis for all subsequent decision-making. You can not 'assassinate your way to victory' in an insurgency. Home team advantage always carries the day. And as Chin Peng wrote, after he crawled out of nine ambushes..."Commonwealth soldiers always fire too high."
The dedicated soldier commitement & dedication surpasses all understanding. He was the "One man standing" well after the dust of a greedy war ceases. He Conquered the jungle hardships to make himself a makeshift home in pursuit of a true victory that would only come from his commissioner the army General. He is truly more than just a hero but a legacy. I salute him for his great unprecedented heroic accomplishment that none could emulate!
My father served during the “Malayan Emergency” they had 2 photograph all there kills 4 ID/ intelligence…. He has over 20 photos of CT fighters. The hardest environment 2 survive / fight in he used 2 tell me, the leaches were one of his biggest gripes.
One Brit who got experience fighting in Malaysia's jungles was Harry Roberts. He subsequently used his transferable skills to hide for weeks on the run from the Police after shooting 3 of them dead during an armed robbery.
How those fighting for freedom of their country are criminals and those occupies it and uses their resources are good people. This is just narrative understand it. They did same with India to.
I recently read this book about the first Malayan Emergency….tells the story of the whole conflict and a very readable book. It’s titled. The War of the Running Dogs: Malaya 1948 - 1960 by Noel Barber. I highly recommend it!
What are you talking about? Sir Gerald Templar was born in England and served in the British Army his entire career, he was very much English... And the New Zealand/Australian Battalions that deployed in theatre were commanded by their own respective C.O's (Kiwi & Ozzie Officers)... So, who and where does this South African leader come into the mix@@haydenbretton2990
@@haydenbretton2990 Sir Gerald Templar was born in England and served his entire career in the British Army... He was very much an English man... The New Zealand and Australian Infantry Battalions deployed to the Malayan and Borneo theatres were also very much under their own command, from their respective C.Os who were very much Kiwi and Ozzie Officers... At no stage was a South African in overall control of the ANZAC Contingents.
4:32 Note: That is not how Sir Henry Gurney was killed. He was accompanied by the Malayan Police and an armored truck, he was also with his wife on the way to the destination. Until MNLA Insurgents ambushed the car and those accompanying him where in an act of diversion he left his car and stated "This is the king's highway!" drawing less attention to the car and the armored truck then he was killed on the spot, but those who were accompanying him and his wife survived as reinforcements came later. Sir Henry Gurney was not killed directly such as in the video, he didn't die in his car and was approached and shot in the head like it was planned all along. The Malayan Communist Party claimed it was a routine ambush where they didn't expect the high commissioner to be in that exact site, Not to mention the car had a roof.
In 1948 Scots Guards slaughtered 24 unarmed civilians in the town of Batang Kali. This very little revealed atrocity was the Malayan Emergency equivalent of the Vietnam war My Lai massacre.
@@rudolphguarnacci197 frustration with a hidden ghost enemy... prelude to vietnam, locals supporting the chinese rebels. they were labelled communist but really it was chinese in Malaya getting right from the bumi putra malays.
Correction, Chin Peng’s support was not widespread. It was mainly with the Chinese minority. The Malay majority is Muslim and did not trust the Chinese. This is still the case to this day in Malaysia. This is unlike Vietnam where the US was trying to prop up a Catholic minority that was in power. It was unwinnable as it was a cultural and civil war and the US was on the wrong side
My family fought to defend Malaysia from Chinese communists , the officers or leaders wore uniforms. The uniformed officers had their photograph taken before they started to fight the British and Malays. All of the communists who appeared in the photograph were killed or captured, they were identified from finger prints taken from hands , and facialy from decapitated heads. Many of the British troops had learnt their jungle fighting in Burma. The completion of a successful campaign was only possible with the cooperation of the Malayan people.
It was only called an Emergency by Labor PM Clement Artlee becuase the insurance companies were going to refuse to pay compensation to the rubber planters because "war' was not covered... So Artlee cleverly called it an " emergency " and saved thier businesses
dad served in this regiment they were called the MALAY SCOUTS they would go out on month patrols dads patrol had a borneo headhunter as a scout my dad after malaya used to wreck the bedroom some nights looking for his rifle or searching for insects poor mom would be thrown across the bedroom as he tipped the bed over lol he was recruited out of the glasshouse maybe thats why they dont mention the regiments name they were called the MALAY SCOUTS THE ONLY ONES THAT WERE SUCCEFULL IN STOPPING A COMMUNIST INSURECTION THE ONLY TIME IT WAS DONE im very proud of my dad no finer man
I think that the Malayan situation was not unexpected and it was far to costly, both economically and especially manpower wise, and all because the powers that be in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 were trying to preserve a colonial rule system that was archaic at best and corrupt at worst, and the powers that I refer too are not just the government but also the people who reaped the rewards from Malaya, but as usual they did not want to get their hands dirty and were quite happy to use the “old boys network” to elicit action from the government, a government that was probably seeded with the same people who were benefiting financially from the colony.
You are the only person who has talked about the archaic nature and motive for the raid on Malaya. There is nothing patriotic SAS did here. Colonialism and taking away resources like rubber and tin from Malaysia is nothing people should be proud of.
@@RichardOmondi-fm4wr I totally agree, however, the SAS were carrying out their orders and duty, rightly or wrongly, to the crown 👑, personally I think they were doing the wrong thing but as far as I know they didn’t break any international laws or conventions. I agree that they had nothing to be proud of, however it was those in London that should have carried the shame of issuing the orders, and the people who were responsible for getting the orders made, the industrialists, should have been made to pay restitution to Malaya for their exploitation of the people.
@@melodymacken9788 ..Yes you would. It's not Hyde park but it's livable. The most dangerous things are hornets and.... elephants. They both hate people, with a vengeance.
I’m curious to how we view a country of people as terrorists that only want to be left alone from a small country (England) that over-threw their own leadership years before. Power and Rule lead to many extreme decisions when people feel they have no choice I wonder why I have only begun to see this as I have gotten older. That statement is rhetorical as I am fully aware
Dear you don't know about Malaya keep shut your mouth. The reason behind the British successfully defeating communism due to Malayan people (especially Malays) won't live under communism. When citizens already hated communism, then it's easier for both British and local government to do their job: to eliminate the communism
The villagers didn't give their help voluntarily they were force to help the CPM.Go and find the real facts.lazy journalism.this is not documentary it's fiction u can make movie from it..
Ah Hoi and Chin Peng and the majority Communists in Malaya were the Chinese emigrant who came to Malaya from China and tried to occupy Malaya to be a Communist's country. We are regretting that the British government bring these culprits to our peaceful Malaya but then left them behind when British left Malaya. British left a serious problem for the natives of Malaya, even in Malaysia today.
Is that why Bumiputeras have priority for Government jobs and university places, while Chinese-Malays and Indian-Malays go to universities in Australia (even if their families have lived in Malaya/Malaysia for 100 years) ? How's the corruption trials in 1MDB going?? Good honest Bumiputeras!
Independance was already on the books and rightly gained, but the so-called freedom fighters you speak of were communist extremist terrorists, funded by China and reliant upon gaining localsed backing from, e.g. villagers, by intimidation and murder..... French Indo-China and Korea were also funded and supplied by the Chinese communist regime
@@louisavondart9178 Because the British side-stepped any negotiations with the Chinese, while bringing the Malays to government. Which led to the 1963 riots and subsequent inter-racial issues in Malaysia, and why so many Chinese Malays study at Australian universities - because they can't get admittance to Malaysian universities. 100 sit-up for you, plonker.
I believe the Americans had training by the SAS in the Malayan jungle. Sadly the training was ruined by the US media. There is no sentiment in jungle warfare. By separating the population from the guerrillas the ‘emergency’ was won. I feel so sorry for the US and her loses which could’ve been avoided.
You have a certain point. But British colonial and imperial methods were insufficient in Cold War Proxy Wars after 1950s. Malaya was a small pond. American Special Forces and Marines had to face a larger Rice Paddy War as Protracted War and their sacrifice is vast. Malaya was equal to Nicaragua as a limited compound clash. SAS pomp is little if we compare it with USA in Laos and Vietnam War. American tactics like search and destroy, helicopter war, village hamlets, attacking the Trail and constant tracking assignments, Mekong delta ops was too much to deal with. I have great respect for those US Special Forces.
@@pariscommune9742 I have nothing but sympathy for the US forces sent to Vietnam. The LRRP and MACV SOG were the nearest to how the British Malayan emergency was handled. After World War II the British Army used surrendered Japanese soldiers to fight, and defeat, the Viet Minh. As in Vietnam, the Koreans were dreaded by the Viet Cong and NVA. Be safe.
The colonised Malaysian people were thankful that the communists were fighting to kick out the British colonisers.Do you think colonised people under British rule love their exploiter?
While it is glamourous to empahsize the military aspect of the Malaysan Emergency. The british at the start knew there was no military solution to the insurgency but instead it must be a political one ( the thing Americans never understood in all their counterinsurgancy campaigns). They promised the malay independence, they arm twisted the malaysia rulers to give malaysian citizenship to the 500,000 chinese squatters (some willing most unwilling supporters of the CT) improve intelligence through infirmers and reward system. In urban abd settled areas the civil authorities including the police remained the primary force.
chinese were the threat to the english more than the Malazy... the communist side was not all truth. the chinese were getting richer with more power so they needed stopping...same till today with the Malay Bumi Putra laws.
Why would British Go and capture other lands and tell stories as if they killed the villian? It's them that are villians when they are trying to capture other lands for money
the terrorists were still fighting after Malaya gained independence from the colonizers, who were they fighting for? The communist party of Malaya is an proxy of the communist party of China
@@sarahlamb2333 British and Australian SAS in Afghanistan are accused by fellow soldiers of executing prisoners and civilians, breaking all thier own rules of combat. It's been a political nightmare for the Army who have (unsuccessfully) gone to great lengths to stop the Govt enquiry, which is in progress) and silence witnesses. Afghanistan forces who helped the British in combat, have been stopped from migrating to Britain (to escape Taliban reprisals) be cause they also gave evidence. The accusation: ...troops from the elite Special Air Service took the law into their own hands and committed “multiple murders” that were “deliberately covered up”
The colonizers calling the freedom fighters terrorists and hunting them down in their own country can not be considered herioc action worth any military or civilian accolades.
34:11 🤯 walking with _"the safty catch off on his weapon"_ 🤯 The *Fieak is gonna tare his azz up in the comments. * (fire arms internet expert American kids)
Nope. In fact indigenous people willingly cooperate with the British to eliminate communism. I'm learning the history of Malaya, during communism insurgency Malaya already got their independence from the British, yet communist won't lay down their weapons and are still terrorizing indigenous especially Malays. The British did a lot of terrible things, but in elimination of communism from Malaya, I agree with British. Please take notes communism failed in the countries which Muslim are majority such as Malaysia, Indonesia and Afghanistan. How do you want to enforce socialism and communism when Muslim refuse to do so???
One of huge factors in British successful Malayan Emergency (1948-1960) campaign was the deployment of the Iban Trackers from British Sarawak (1945-1963) for their highly prized expertise in jungle environment, especially in tracking the trails left by CTs and also in dismantling CTs' hidden booby traps. Most of Iban Trackers' successful engagement against CTs end up with de4d CTs' head severed from their bodies by those trackers as part old tradition of "head-hunting". It does caused a controversy until the trackers have been strictly ordered by the British high command to ceased their "head-severing" practice on CTs' corpse.
One of them is Kanang anak Langkau. The most famous iban tracker.
Yes we had them during the Borneo confrontation,I was with Recce 42 in Sabah and later in Sarawak.Amazing men and did my tattoo as well..
They really fought. Not gonna downplaying the Malay role in this situation but I would say, the problem with the Malay tribe was, while majority of them were fighting, there were some betrayer among them
@@catmunkyafzainizam5137 Kanang was not in the first Emergency, but rather in 2nd Emergency (1968-1989). He also fought in 1963 Confrontation.
@@tab7madeup the numbers were quite small. Most Malays were on the British and Malay Rulers side. Plus, communism ideals promotes atheism and doesn't recognize any religious beliefs.
Mylate uncle served as a member of the SAS in Malaya in this period. Only ever saw one photo of his time there and he flatly refused to talk about it except to my Dad who served in the Confrontation years in Borneo whilst we lived in Kluang in 1963.
Had to give a mention to the best jungle warfare unit during the First Malayan Emergency (1948 - 1960), Second Malayan Emergency (1968 - 1989) and also Vietnam War, Malaysia's Senoi Praaq Special Forces. The Senoi Praaq is a Malaysian special forces unit originally created in 1956 by the British colonial authorities to fight communism during the First Malayan Emergency. They were recruited from the indigenous aborigines of Peninsular Malaysia. The unit began as a creature of British Military Intelligence and fought in the deep jungle as Special Air Service (SAS) protégés, eventually replacing the latter upon Malaysian independence from the British in 1957. The British 22 SAS bestowed the maroon beret on the unit in recognition of their services to them, which they still wear to this day. The extraordinary jungle survival and tracking skills of these aborigines were legendary and the British feared that the Communist Terrorists would gain an advantage if these skills were utilized against the British. By the way, during the Malayan Emergency, the Communist forces were actually called Communist Terrorists ("CT") by the British forces and the press. So, if you read historical accounts of them, they would be called CTs for short.
Before the Senoi Praaq was deployed into an area, conventional units would withdraw, allowing the Senoi Praaq complete, unrestricted freedom of movement in the operational area. The jungle skills, stealth, endurance, and fighting skills of the Senoi Praaq made them feared adversaries of the communists in Malaya. The unit attained a respectable body count and legends arose of incidents when the Senoi Praaq would count up 10 kills in a single, swift engagement. The Senoi Praaq Squadrons achieved a casualty ratio of 16:1 for killed, wounded or surrendered (better than the SAS or Gurkhas at that time). Though the Senoi Praaq troopers were given a choice of weapons, they reportedly enjoyed scoring kills using their traditional weapons - the blowpipe with cyanide-tipped darts being a favourite. They particularly enjoyed a leisurely hunt that would take a few days, stalking their prey as if they were tracking game. The Senoi Praaq quickly established a ruthless reputation among the communist forces who took great pains to avoid the Senoi Praaq. Though they had access to air and artillery support, these were rarely used. Instead, the Senoi Praaq preferred more intimate tactics.
British Lt Col Noone, the founder of the Senoi Praaq, along with a group of Senoi Praaq members were sent to An Khe, Vietnam in early 1963 at the request of South Vietnam President Diem to train the indigenous groups there. They were asked to train them on counter-insurgency operations as had been successfully carried out in Malaya while fighting the communists during the Malayan Emergency. They were also responsible for forming the Montagnard Scouts team under the CIA-led MSP (Mountain Scout Programme) in co-operation with BRIAM (British Advisory Mission). The CIA called them the "Whispering Death" for their mode of operation and used to them to carry out covert missions in Laos. The Saigon government were so impressed by them that they wanted them to be under their direct control. However, they faced hostility from regular South Vietnamese forces, especially their special forces. Due to this intense animosity between the Vietnamese Special Forces and Noone’s team, Noone requested for his team’s removal from Vietnam. The Senoi Praaq team withdrew at the end of 1963 when the Confrontation with Indonesia began (1963-1966). At around the same time President Diem was assassinated by a CIA supported military coup.
I served in Malaysia 76 78, served alongside many NCOs and officers, we operating in monthly operations, I was on a TOD with the Malaysian recon Sqn, sadly after I returned to Singapore for R&R, they were ambushed on the Thailand border and killed, I was informed but not to mention, our battalion was finally withdrawn in 1989, our infantry bn and SAS were in Malaya and then Malaysia from 1954 till 1989,
I've spent years living in the jungles of Asia, and it's an unforgiving environment.
I met many SAS soldiers who I found excellent and committed soldiers. I enjoyed their company and humour.
Great bunch of guys. 😅
War of the Running Dogs and The Jungle is Neutral are perhaps two of the best books to read up on what it was like fighting in the jungles of Malaya.❤
Great books.
Colonial misfits bit unkind.
Many were rhodesian regular soldiers who went on the form the nucleus of one of the best small armies in the world.
Then major peter walls Malayan scouts established C squadron Rhodesia SAS and then colour Sergent Ron Reid Daly established the rhodesian Selous Scouts.
some were ... " many" is a bit of a stretch
Australian troops were the first to take the fight to the Japanese and win at the battle of Milne Bay. The Chindits didn't go into Burma to fight the Japanese until February 1943 and the battle of Milne Bay was months prior in August and September 1942. Australian forces also served in the Malayan emergency and the later Indonesian Confrontation. Some of the historical footage is likely of Australians as they were firing Owen guns.
True but the diggers sent into milne bay were zero jungle trained and in desert khaki... what the chindits achieved in LR ops /jungle was totally different style of jungle warfare. Not fiht for your life on a PNG ridgeline.
very best. 2SQN SASR.
My friend his uncle was in the Australian SAS in Vietnam
I love watching and learning about history, especially Asian continent! Listen to soldiers who were actually there fighting.
the SAS jungle training and motivation gave rise to organized local expertise in jungle warfare. sure the locals, especially the Iban trackers were all familiar to some degree with the jungles here but it took training and leadership to assemble an army that could operate, fight and win against a diehard and skilled jungle foe.
My dad was in the nth Surreys in the telok anson region. He came home never the same. They had a combat dog called colonel who killed more bandits than his bren gun. 5 bandits. When he came home, he never spoke about his time there till his last years.
My father was SadO of Changi, I would be woken up in the morning by the army convoy from Selerang barracks going up to Malaya. When we travelled we would have an army scout jeep with us. I would speak to the soldiers about the things that did, as a schoolboy it all left a mark on me.
My dad was with the Gordon Highlanders in that conflict
I have a pint pewter mug
with a huge Gordon Highlanders cast pewter badge
soldered on the side.
It is rather a nice piece!
I have a few highland warriors
amongst my ancesters too.
/
It must have been an interesting time for your father!
/
My best friend was born in Malaya in 1952,
and his father was a rubber planter,
who was evacuated to Australia.
After training,
he was dropped into Malaya
as a radio operater.
Brave man!
So my friend
just about remembers the need for security.
/
@@zen4men cool.
No real soldier ever holds their weapon by the magazine when patrolling 😂.
What... with an SLR that has no rear sight leaf or cocking handle (its resin) - in 1950?? It's not a real rifle, mate. And they are actors in a cheap reconstruction using the wrong weapons. So yes...not a real soldier.
Thanks for posting this. Not enough is said re the Malaya conflict.
My poor old dad was seconded by the Britich from the RAAF, when he was a young bloke building the Butterworth air base He still wakes up screaming from time to time
My Dad served in Malaya at this time in the Royal Artillery attached to the Burma Rifles as part of the Commonwealth Brigade. As far as the SAS is concerned this time in their history isn't the best...a number of SAS members at this time were essentially loopy as you'd have to be loopy to attempt parachuting into the jungle. On the bright side it was the lessons learned from this period that allowed the SAS phoenix to rise to the heights it still holds today.
Amazing painstaking work👍
The main force was. Royal Marines. Supported by various other troops. Including Gurkas. My Uncle fought there. As a royal marine. With the Australians South Africans. Etc. a mortar blew up next to him. And he had 1000s of tiny metal splinters in his hips Guts ass. Spine. For the rest of his life. He walked like a zombie. Frankenstein. But as a human. He struggled the rest of his life with MORPHINE/Codine/etc. addiction from the constant pain they couldn’t get all the splinter out of his spine /Hips. Siatica nerves. Those men are not remembered just like our BURMA lads. Who after the war died in there hundreds from protracted Tropical disorders RIP. LADS.
My Dad was in the RAF from 1946 to 1955 and spent most of his service with 205 sqn based at RAF Seletar in Singapore. This was a flying boat squadron using the Short Sunderland. One of their tasks was to bomb the CTs in the jungle. They couldn't see what they were aiming at, nor could they see what they hit.
My Father inlaw was a Malay Tracker he very Rarely spoke about it. But when he did it was very Frightening mixed with Humour.! Obviously not a world i know .
The scene in Gurney ambush was not accurate. He was in the car with his wife and driver. When his car was ambushed, his armored escorts were quite a distance apart, so he was in a hopeless position with the car and its occupants taking heavy fire from the CTs firing from across the road. Apparently, he got out of the car, went to the other side of the road to draw the fire away from the car, his wife and the driver, thus sacrificing himself to save others. That's the version I heard and read about. On the CTs side of the story, they revealed decades later (in Chin Peng's book, written, after the peace talks), they were just setting an ambush and did no know that it was Gurney who came along. They only knew it after reading/hearing it in the news the next day. Although this video is focus on jungle warfare, SAS etc., the role the Police Special Branch (Trained by Scotland Yard) cannot be ignored. They played a major role in intelligence gathering, including infiltrating (undercover) into the CTs camp (both urban and jungle camps). With the intel gathered, the army then, knew where the supply routes, the whereabouts of the CTs in the vast jungle for their "search and destroy". Cheers.
ABSOLUTELY - I read 'The Jungle is Neutral' by F Spencer Chapman on my first deployment to Malaysia in 1979. And through the next 45 years, until my last job in Northern Thailand (August 2024) the lessons of the Malay Emergency have been my operational foundation. All that war-fighting stuff looks good, but solid intelligence gathering is the basis for all subsequent decision-making. You can not 'assassinate your way to victory' in an insurgency. Home team advantage always carries the day.
And as Chin Peng wrote, after he crawled out of nine ambushes..."Commonwealth soldiers always fire too high."
The dedicated soldier commitement & dedication surpasses all understanding. He was the "One man standing" well after the dust of a greedy war ceases. He Conquered the jungle hardships to make himself a makeshift home in pursuit of a true victory that would only come from his commissioner the army General. He is truly more than just a hero but a legacy. I salute him for his great unprecedented heroic accomplishment that none could emulate!
My father served during the “Malayan Emergency” they had 2 photograph all there kills 4 ID/ intelligence…. He has over 20 photos of CT fighters.
The hardest environment 2 survive / fight in he used 2 tell me, the leaches were one of his biggest gripes.
One Brit who got experience fighting in Malaysia's jungles was Harry Roberts. He subsequently used his transferable skills to hide for weeks on the run from the Police after shooting 3 of them dead during an armed robbery.
this is our country history
It was a thrilled watching 👀 documentary about SAS group detectives and brought criminals to justice ⚖️
How those fighting for freedom of their country are criminals and those occupies it and uses their resources are good people. This is just narrative understand it. They did same with India to.
😂😂😂
I know it’s difficult Eddie but keep ya chin up lad think positive like you always do and stay strong 💪
SAS really the legend!
I recently read this book about the first Malayan Emergency….tells the story of the whole conflict and a very readable book. It’s titled. The War of the Running Dogs: Malaya 1948 - 1960 by Noel Barber. I highly recommend it!
The New Zealanders and Australians were the real key players in this conflicts.
Thankyou for the acknowledgement.
NZ
Lets not forget the leader was a South African.
What are you talking about?
Sir Gerald Templar was born in England and served in the British Army his entire career, he was very much English...
And the New Zealand/Australian Battalions that deployed in theatre were commanded by their own respective C.O's (Kiwi & Ozzie Officers)...
So, who and where does this South African leader come into the mix@@haydenbretton2990
@@haydenbretton2990 Sir Gerald Templar was born in England and served his entire career in the British Army...
He was very much an English man...
The New Zealand and Australian Infantry Battalions deployed to the Malayan and Borneo theatres were also very much under their own command, from their respective C.Os who were very much Kiwi and Ozzie Officers...
At no stage was a South African in overall control of the ANZAC Contingents.
Rhodesians
04:30 re-enactment of Gurney's ambush was inaccurate, the road was twice as wide, and there were a few escort security vehicles in the entourage.
British, Rhodesian, Australian and New Zealand SAS units all served in Malaya and also in Borneo with the Indonesian Confrontation!
Great video!
4:32 Note: That is not how Sir Henry Gurney was killed.
He was accompanied by the Malayan Police and an armored truck, he was also with his wife on the way to the destination. Until MNLA Insurgents ambushed the car and those accompanying him where in an act of diversion he left his car and stated "This is the king's highway!" drawing less attention to the car and the armored truck then he was killed on the spot, but those who were accompanying him and his wife survived as reinforcements came later.
Sir Henry Gurney was not killed directly such as in the video, he didn't die in his car and was approached and shot in the head like it was planned all along. The Malayan Communist Party claimed it was a routine ambush where they didn't expect the high commissioner to be in that exact site, Not to mention the car had a roof.
In 1948 Scots Guards slaughtered 24 unarmed civilians in the town of Batang Kali. This very little revealed atrocity was the Malayan Emergency equivalent of the Vietnam war My Lai massacre.
Why did they do this?
@@rudolphguarnacci197 frustration with a hidden ghost enemy... prelude to vietnam, locals supporting the chinese rebels. they were labelled communist but really it was chinese in Malaya getting right from the bumi putra malays.
@@HoofinBob
Did you ever hear of a book, The Jungle is Neutral?
The Iban and Orang Asli tracker is thier key of Success in Malaya British VS Communist party
The Iban sure did strike fear into their enemies
Correction, Chin Peng’s support was not widespread. It was mainly with the Chinese minority. The Malay majority is Muslim and did not trust the Chinese. This is still the case to this day in Malaysia. This is unlike Vietnam where the US was trying to prop up a Catholic minority that was in power. It was unwinnable as it was a cultural and civil war and the US was on the wrong side
Agreed. Vietnam and Malayan are two different situations. How communism to be implemented when society already rejected the idea of communism state?
Malaya was episode 3 of the Chindits. First Burma, second Indo 1946 and third Malaya. All at the center was Mad Mike Calvert...... the man!
Decent watch
The SAS did not have SLR in 52
True that my uncle served there, sas had and still has Lee Enfield 303 jungle carbine.
My father served in the Malayan scouts in 1951 to 53 .
Some of the most discerning comments i've ever read in any section.
A British general even Mad Mike wandering around with his tunic undone
Was that him walking across camera at the independence celebration?
@@patrickbarrett5650 He'd been kicked out of the British Army by 1953. Misconduct in Germany in 1952.
My dad did his national service in Malaya 12thRoyal Lancers
Addicted already
My family fought to defend Malaysia from Chinese communists , the officers or leaders wore uniforms. The uniformed officers had their photograph taken before they started to fight the British and Malays. All of the communists who appeared in the photograph were killed or captured, they were identified from finger prints taken from hands , and facialy from decapitated heads. Many of the British troops had learnt their jungle fighting in Burma. The completion of a successful campaign was only possible with the cooperation of the Malayan people.
Spud😎 haven't seen him for a while.
My uncle bobby fought in Malaya... He was NZSAS not british...
Shhhh... don't let facts interrupt " journalism " .
The Malaya Emergency War 1948-1960
It was only called an Emergency by Labor PM Clement Artlee becuase the insurance companies were going to refuse to pay compensation to the rubber planters because "war' was not covered...
So Artlee cleverly called it an " emergency " and saved thier businesses
Bloody Hell ! I have searched for information on this topic.
The communists did not have mass support from the Malayan people.
Don't ya love those clean uniforms :-)
...lol... and SLR's that weren't invented until 1957.
That 1st 'native' certainly did not look Malayan. Arab perhaps or even Italian?
Missing the kiwi and aussie SAS an infantry.
dad served in this regiment they were called the MALAY SCOUTS
they would go out on month patrols dads patrol had a borneo headhunter as a scout
my dad after malaya used to wreck the bedroom some nights looking for his rifle or searching for insects
poor mom would be thrown across the bedroom as he tipped the bed over
lol he was recruited out of the glasshouse
maybe thats why they dont mention the regiments name
they were called the MALAY SCOUTS
THE ONLY ONES THAT WERE SUCCEFULL IN STOPPING A COMMUNIST INSURECTION
THE ONLY TIME IT WAS DONE
im very proud of my dad
no finer man
Did he find his rifle or insects?
@@alanfitzgerald8450 heheheh a wisecrack from a dumbell
how refreshing
Tree jumping. Insane courage.
No mention of gurkha army? Those who fought and brought victory from British side. Incomplete Research done.
5:49 Leave my grandmother out of this.
This is interesting but ffs the u skippable 30second adverts makes me want to scream
I think that the Malayan situation was not unexpected and it was far to costly, both economically and especially manpower wise, and all because the powers that be in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 were trying to preserve a colonial rule system that was archaic at best and corrupt at worst, and the powers that I refer too are not just the government but also the people who reaped the rewards from Malaya, but as usual they did not want to get their hands dirty and were quite happy to use the “old boys network” to elicit action from the government, a government that was probably seeded with the same people who were benefiting financially from the colony.
You are the only person who has talked about the archaic nature and motive for the raid on Malaya. There is nothing patriotic SAS did here. Colonialism and taking away resources like rubber and tin from Malaysia is nothing people should be proud of.
@@RichardOmondi-fm4wr I totally agree, however, the SAS were carrying out their orders and duty, rightly or wrongly, to the crown 👑, personally I think they were doing the wrong thing but as far as I know they didn’t break any international laws or conventions. I agree that they had nothing to be proud of, however it was those in London that should have carried the shame of issuing the orders, and the people who were responsible for getting the orders made, the industrialists, should have been made to pay restitution to Malaya for their exploitation of the people.
There are creepy crawlies, leeches than can suck a pint of blood!! Bloody Hell you are the SAS!!! LoL
I wouldn't last 5 seconds.
@@melodymacken9788 ..Yes you would. It's not Hyde park but it's livable. The most dangerous things are hornets and.... elephants. They both hate people, with a vengeance.
and some of those leeches have buck teeth... thats nasty
What happened to the soldier who hurt his back.
I’m curious to how we view a country of people as terrorists that only want to be left alone from a small country (England) that over-threw their own leadership years before.
Power and Rule lead to many extreme decisions when people feel they have no choice
I wonder why I have only begun to see this as I have gotten older. That statement is rhetorical as I am fully aware
You are just tired of lying to yourself, as many of us do, since 911.
Whenever I hear terrorist, it only means I need to examine things further...
Do you mean the Chinese who were running the CTs in Malaya/Malaysia?
Dear you don't know about Malaya keep shut your mouth. The reason behind the British successfully defeating communism due to Malayan people (especially Malays) won't live under communism. When citizens already hated communism, then it's easier for both British and local government to do their job: to eliminate the communism
It wasn't over until 1989
Bluff never goes obsolete..😁
Is that tie right? Looks innapropriate.
Who was the Tiger of Malaysia?
Brandenburg commandos previously used many of these ideas.
How does a people go to a foreign land,subject the locals to unspeakable conditions and then term them terrorist?
Is the next episode of black ops
Notice that Canada never helped out in the Pacific
I see you never read about Canadian losses in Hong Kong. Maybe now you can seeing some has advised you.
Bring in the SAS
Nice pics of kiwis
Noted.
NZ
Holy crap 😂😂 that's awesome 😅
Can never believe anything from the west!! Not anymore😂😂😂
The villagers didn't give their help voluntarily they were force to help the CPM.Go and find the real facts.lazy journalism.this is not documentary it's fiction u can make movie from it..
Total nonsense. The villagers willingly helped the Communist terrorists.
😂😂😂 truth hurts doesn't it cupcake
Ah Hoi and Chin Peng and the majority Communists in Malaya were the Chinese emigrant who came to Malaya from China and tried to occupy Malaya to be a Communist's country. We are regretting that the British government bring these culprits to our peaceful Malaya but then left them behind when British left Malaya. British left a serious problem for the natives of Malaya, even in Malaysia today.
Those brits were un responsibility.
Sadly its only the Chinese and Indians that work in Malaysia...till today. Jumpa lagi bung
Is that why Bumiputeras have priority for Government jobs and university places, while Chinese-Malays and Indian-Malays go to universities in Australia (even if their families have lived in Malaya/Malaysia for 100 years) ? How's the corruption trials in 1MDB going?? Good honest Bumiputeras!
People fighting for their independence called terrorists. I love the SAS but lets call a spade a spade.
The CT were terrorists
..if they weren't terrorists, why did they keep fighting after Malaysia became independant ? Your spade is rusty. 50 push ups, laddie.
Independance was already on the books and rightly gained, but the so-called freedom fighters you speak of were communist extremist terrorists, funded by China and reliant upon gaining localsed backing from, e.g. villagers, by intimidation and murder..... French Indo-China and Korea were also funded and supplied by the Chinese communist regime
@@louisavondart9178 Because the British side-stepped any negotiations with the Chinese, while bringing the Malays to government. Which led to the 1963 riots and subsequent inter-racial issues in Malaysia, and why so many Chinese Malays study at Australian universities - because they can't get admittance to Malaysian universities.
100 sit-up for you, plonker.
The Chinese communists wanted to take over the country, the local Malays were not the same.
Cover, concealment, camouflage!
I believe the Americans had training by the SAS in the Malayan jungle. Sadly the training was ruined by the US media. There is no sentiment in jungle warfare. By separating the population from the guerrillas the ‘emergency’ was won. I feel so sorry for the US and her loses which could’ve been avoided.
You have a certain point.
But British colonial and
imperial methods were
insufficient in Cold War
Proxy Wars after 1950s.
Malaya was a small pond.
American Special Forces
and Marines had to face a
larger Rice Paddy War as
Protracted War and their
sacrifice is vast. Malaya
was equal to Nicaragua
as a limited compound
clash.
SAS pomp is little if we
compare it with USA in
Laos and Vietnam War.
American tactics like
search and destroy,
helicopter war, village
hamlets, attacking the
Trail and constant
tracking assignments,
Mekong delta ops
was too much to deal
with. I have great respect
for those US Special Forces.
SAS pomp? Wff does that mean?
@@pariscommune9742what a load of rubbish...
The Americans had nothing to do with the Malayan Emergency...
They weren't even there.
@@Foxhound63A learn your history.
@@pariscommune9742 I have nothing but sympathy for the US forces sent to Vietnam. The LRRP and MACV SOG were the nearest to how the British Malayan emergency was handled. After World War II the British Army used surrendered Japanese soldiers to fight, and defeat, the Viet Minh. As in Vietnam, the Koreans were dreaded by the Viet Cong and NVA. Be safe.
so that's terrorism???? hmmmmmmmmm.
Guards squadron sas was formed .
They didn't come over to Britain.... Who is the terrorist in this case... Freedom fighters or the occupiers ?
Please why do you call the people fighting for their independence against colonizers.. Terrorist ?
I have seen quite a few videos on the Emergency and this one is pure 💩
The best special forces unit to send into the jungle SAS
Yes back then but not more
You colonised the country and those who resist are called terrorists? Amazing
Okay snowflake.
Who is resisting?
Only a few Malayan are communist sympathisers... 99.9% despises the CPM for their brutal actions.
When Malaysia became independant, the communists wanted to take over using terrorism. So yes, the term is correct.
The colonised Malaysian people were thankful that the communists were fighting to kick out the British colonisers.Do you think colonised people under British rule love their exploiter?
While it is glamourous to empahsize the military aspect of the Malaysan Emergency. The british at the start knew there was no military solution to the insurgency but instead it must be a political one ( the thing Americans never understood in all their counterinsurgancy campaigns). They promised the malay independence, they arm twisted the malaysia rulers to give malaysian citizenship to the 500,000 chinese squatters (some willing most unwilling supporters of the CT) improve intelligence through infirmers and reward system. In urban abd settled areas the civil authorities including the police remained the primary force.
chinese were the threat to the english more than the Malazy... the communist side was not all truth. the chinese were getting richer with more power so they needed stopping...same till today with the Malay Bumi Putra laws.
Another good Doco ruined by unbearable back ground noise. Why do you people put this crap in the back ground why.
Khatulistiwa
Rather they where fighting economic terrorists
Why would British Go and capture other lands and tell stories as if they killed the villian? It's them that are villians when they are trying to capture other lands for money
How can you be terrorist if you fight for your country against colonisers?
Because they were communists and slaughtered a lot of their own people.
So says the Xi troll.
@@Allen-fi4keXi? Using a revisionist reactionary as an example? Oh wait, you probably don't know what that is? And think Xi is a Communist .
the terrorists were still fighting after Malaya gained independence from the colonizers, who were they fighting for? The communist party of Malaya is an proxy of the communist party of China
Ask the Women - they'll tell You.
Shame that with all thier training and bravery, it seems some current Special Forces never got the Hearts & Minds training... 🤔
What is that supposed to mean?
@@sarahlamb2333 British and Australian SAS in Afghanistan are accused by fellow soldiers of executing prisoners and civilians, breaking all thier own rules of combat. It's been a political nightmare for the Army who have (unsuccessfully) gone to great lengths to stop the Govt enquiry, which is in progress) and silence witnesses. Afghanistan forces who helped the British in combat, have been stopped from migrating to Britain (to escape Taliban reprisals) be cause they also gave evidence.
The accusation: ...troops from the elite Special Air Service took the law into their own hands and committed “multiple murders” that were “deliberately covered up”
@@sarahlamb2333
Means nothing.
The colonizers calling the freedom fighters terrorists and hunting them down in their own country can not be considered herioc action worth any military or civilian accolades.
34:11 🤯 walking with _"the safty catch off on his weapon"_ 🤯
The *Fieak is gonna tare his azz up in the comments.
* (fire arms internet expert American kids)
Oh weapons expert - you do realise that is a resin weapon without a rear sight, cocking handle or safety catch. 'Just pretend!!!'
How can you call the indigenous people terrorist when the British occupiers have colonised there country..??
Nope. In fact indigenous people willingly cooperate with the British to eliminate communism. I'm learning the history of Malaya, during communism insurgency Malaya already got their independence from the British, yet communist won't lay down their weapons and are still terrorizing indigenous especially Malays. The British did a lot of terrible things, but in elimination of communism from Malaya, I agree with British. Please take notes communism failed in the countries which Muslim are majority such as Malaysia, Indonesia and Afghanistan. How do you want to enforce socialism and communism when Muslim refuse to do so???
One sides terrorist another's freedom fighter. The lines get very blurred, ondeed. Touchy sibject.
Chinese communist terrorists are not Malay people.
You might be a good story teller but a good historian you most definitely are not.
I just❤Britain's Special Forces.
Rule 🇬🇧
London Olympic E7