NEW ZEALAND ARMED FORCES
MALAYA - BORNEO - SINGAPORE
During the hectic struggle against the Japanese in March 1942, the proposal to create a special Unit was mooted where SOA (Special Operations Australia) was born. In June 1942 the Unit became Z Special Unit named after the Z Experimental station near Cairns in Queensland. In 1945, this Unit with, British (51), Canadian (2), Netherlands (3), Australian (258), New Zealand (22), and civilian - Portuguese and Timorese (6) Personnel in the field were responsible for Intelligence operations, sabotage actions, coast watching, and observation of anchorage, strait or aerodrome on the Peninsula of Malaya, the Island of Singapore, Borneo, Brunei and Portuguese Timor. They operated a combination of 66ft Trawlers (Country Craft), one by the name Krait and small boats (canoe) and motor submersible canoes (MSC) in attacks on Japanese merchant shipping (38,000 Tones) in Singapore Harbour, and assisted by US Submarines, 2 man canoeists against targets of opportunity. They also parachuted into target zones with manpower, equipment and supplies. Operators were at times betrayed, captured, tortured and killed/executed. Z Special Unit Casualties KIA (Executed/missing) 112, POW (recovered) 8 Japanese Killed 1846, Japanese POW 249. This Unit was the forerunner to the establishment of the New Zealand Special Air Service. During 1941-42, the No 488 Squadron RAF and RNZAF's Aerodrome Construction Unit in Malaya and Singapore and later in Java represented the RNZAF. A state of Emergency was declared in Malaya on the 16th of June 1948 due to the murder of three British rubber planters and the infiltration of Communist insurgents led by Chin Peng of the Malayan Communist Party (MCP), the aim was to make Malaya a Chinese Communist State. This twelve-year war was the only war the West won against Communism. New Zealand Armed Forces first served in Malaya, Post World War Two, in 1949, known as 'A Flight' 41 Squadron RNZAF, it consisted of three DC3s based at Changi Air Force Base, Singapore. This Unit was returned to NZ in 1951. With the advent of the issue of leased 'Venom' Bombers to 14 Squadron RNZAF this Squadron was posted from Cyprus to Tengah Air Force Base Singapore, in 1954. They shifted with the assistance of 40 Squadron with Mk3 Handley Page Hastings aircraft, to be part of the Commonwealth Strategic Reserve. Flt Lt McIntyre launched the first 14 Sqn offensive leading a formation of Vampires to strike CT positions on the 1st of May 1955.This Squadron was to be replaced by 75 Sqn flying leased 'Canberra' Bombers in 1958 as part of 224 Group FEAF. In 1955, 41 Squadron RNZAF returned to Changi with 'Bristol Freighters'. Both these Squadrons continued at their bases respectfully up until 1972. Sqn Ldr Tie was to lose his life in a supply drop sortie on 10th of December 1956. All Squadrons took part in Operation 'Firedog' from 1946 to 1960, an air campaign against Communist terrorists in Malaya. From the start of the hostilities New Zealand was involved in, RNZAF units were commanded by the following:
A Flight No41 Squadron
Sept 1949 | Mar 1950 | Flt Lt R.A. Manners |
Mar 1950 | Aug 1950 | Flt Lt L.J. McLean |
Aug 1950 | Oct 1950 | Flt Lt D.J. Phillips DFC |
Oct 1950 | Dec 1951 | Flt Lt S. Mills |
Dec 1954 | Oct 1956 | Sqn Ldr R.A. Manners MBE |
Nov 1956 | Dec 1956 | Sqn Ldr A.S. Tie |
14 SquadronMay 1954 Sep 1956 Sqn Ldr N.H. Bright Sep 1956 Jan 1959 Sqn Ldr A.F. Tucker DFC
New Zealand Army Staff served on secondment with the Fiji Battalion in 1951/56 Commanded by Lt Col Ron Tinker, where they served with distinction. The Special Air Service Squadron Commanded by Lt Col Frank Rennie was present during this time in Malaya for 17 months from 1955 until 1957 as part of 22 SAS Regiment, this Unit suffered One casualty - Killed In Action, Tpr A R Thomas on 2/5/56. When the 1st Battalion NZ Regiment was formed on the 1st of August 1957 it replaced these Units. This occurred through the reactivating of New Zealand Infantry Corps after it had been disbanded after British Commonwealth Occupational Service in Japan. From 1953 ships from the RNZ Navy were on duty throughout the waters of Malaya and were based at HMS Terror Naval Base at Sembawang in Singapore as part of the Far East Fleet. These ships being;
Black Prince | 05/05/55-20/07/55 | Commander Capt J F Whitefield DSC. RN. |
Pukaki | 21/09/53-02/03/54 | Commander LtCdr A V Kempthorne. |
28/0455-27/04/56 | Commander LtCdr E C Thorne. 1st deployment to Commonwealth Strategic Brigade | |
04/05/59-09/04/60 | Commander Cdr W R Williams. | |
06/06/61-10/06/62 | Commander Cdr P L Bardwell | |
Kaniere | 28/07/53-02/03/54 | Commander LtCdr L G Carr. DSC. To COMFEF OPCON Feb 54 |
19/07/54-23/07/55 | Commander Cdr S F Mercer. | |
06/02/56-29/05/57 | Commander LtCdr V W Were. | |
Royalist | 20/05/57-04/07/58 | Commander Capt G D Pound. DSC.RN |
07/02/59-26/06/59 | Commander Capt C C Stevens | |
23/01/61-22/08/61 | Commander Capt H D Stevenson RAN | |
25/02/63-09/07/63 | Commander Capt J O¹C Ross | |
15/03/65-17/10/65 | Commander Capt J P S Vallant - Breakdown | |
Rotoiti | 08/04/58-03/08/59 | Commander LtCdr L E Hodge |
11/04/60-09/03/61 | Commander Lt Cdr R L Harding | |
Otago | 10/02/62-10/10/62 | Commander Cdr J F McKenzie |
01/04/64-13/12/64 | Commander Capt E C Thorne | |
13/12/64-26/05/65 | Commander Cdr R H L Humby | |
07/02/66-02/09/66 | Commander Cdr R H L Humby | |
Taranaki | 11/09/62-01/04/63 | Commander Cdr N D Anderson |
11/09/63-07/09/64 | Commander Capt L G Carr DSC | |
13/08/65-05/05/66 | Commander Cdr K M Saull | |
Blackpool | 06/10/66-24/05/67 | Commander Cdr J I Quinn - 06/10 arrived from UK |
Hickelton | 10/04/65-03/01/66 | Commander LtCdr M N Weymouth |
03/01/66-29/08/66 | Commander LtCdr P N Wright DSC | |
29/08/66-29/12/66 | Commander LtCdr D G Bamfield | |
and | ||
Santon | 10/04/65-13/08/66 | Commander LtCdr L J Tempero |
13/08/66-04/12/66 | Commander LtCdr G W Glyde |
Hickelton was to intercept a sampan when she was fired upon by its crew, Hickelton replied killing two, the other two surrendered and were taken for questioning. This action was to be the last New Zealand ship to fire a shot as the 'Confrontation' was to end in October 1966. Both these minesweepers served with credit that contributed to support of the Commonwealth Brigade Group admirably. In 1965 Hercules of 40 Squadron RNZAF, were airlifting NZ troops into Vietnam and 41 Squadron commanded from Sept 1965 by Sqn Ldr I A Hutchins. AFC, began regular resupply missions from Singapore. In 1967 the first NZ helicopter pilots commenced duties attached to No 9 RAAF Squadron in Vietnam. In all there were a total of thirty NZ Pilots who served in Vietnam between 1967 and 1971. Changeover of personal continued by reinforcement process and in November 1965 the Battalion was under the command of Lt Col Brian Ponanga. During the lead up to being deployed to Borneo the Battalion trained and participated in exercise 'Lion's Roar' involving the entire Commonwealth Brigade under the control of HQ 17th Malaysian Infantry Division. In May 1966 the Battalion was deployed back to Borneo by air and sea including old faithful, MV Auby into the 1st Division at Balai Ringin as part of the 99th Gurka Infantry Brigade relieving the Durham Light Infantry Regiment. Battalion HQ, HQ Company and Charlie Company at Balai Ringin. Alpha and Bravo Companies at Gunan Gajack, with Delta Company at Planan Mapu and Ad Hoc Platoon at Pang Sept 1965 by Sqn Ldr I A Hutchins. AFC Amo. The area of responsibility included approximately 30 miles of Border, the right flank being the Balai Ringin -Tedebu Road, with other roads being Kuching-Simanggang Road and Tedebu-Muara Monkos Bazaar Road. It was very disappointing that as soon as the Battalion became settled, the 'Confrontation' negotiations to end it began, where the Battalion engaged in mainly patrolling without contact with the enemy. There were a few short operations directed at elements of the clandestine Communist Organisation also without success and with the withdrawal on the 1st of October 1966 the last Commonwealth Unit to leave the West Brigade Group and Borneo, returned to Terendak Camp for strategic reserve training for the 28th Commonwealth Brigade in support of SEATO operations over aggression in Thailand. The deteriorating situation in Thailand and Indo China saw commitment by New Zealand troops to South Vietnam where in March 1967 in addition to 161 Battery RNZ Artillery a rifle company was sent, Charlie Company (Victor) based at Nui Dat under control of the 1st Australian Task Force. December 1967 saw the posting of Delta Company (Whiskey) to Vietnam formalising the term 'ANZAC Battalions'. These deployments of Infantry Companies were to continue with the highest possible degree of operational preparedness maintained with the remaining Troops in Terendak and Dieppe until December 1972 where upon Victor and Whiskey Companies returned to the Battalion they reverted to their original designation of Charlie and Delta Companies respectfully. In December 1969, 1 RNZIR moved south to Singapore occupying the Punjab Lines in Nee Soon Garrison and then in 1971 to shift to Dieppe Barracks, HMS Simbang, Semawang. Training and exercises continued in the Kota Tinggi dry training area. It was in 1970 the RNZAF presence with 41 Squadron changed from Changi Air Base to Tengah where it was to become the support Unit for the Battalion using Strikemaster Jet Trainers and Iroquois Helicopters replacing the ageing Vampires. With the disbandment of the 28th Commonwealth Brigade on the 8th of October 1978 New Zealand was left alone in this area, which increased the co-operation with Singaporean and Malaysian Armed Forces. Reinforcement continued on an annual basis with the troops exercising and training within the Malaysian and Singaporean arenas, there were also some significant Parades marking milestones in the activities of the Battalion one being the 25th Anniversary on the 3rd of December 1982. A record of continuous overseas service, which is thought to be unequalled within the British Commonwealth of Nations in recent times, drew to a close with the final sad farewell parade of 1RNZIR at Dieppe Barracks in 1989. This parade closed a Military era for New Zealand and prompted the formal disbandment of the MCP and it¹s Armed Forces based in South Thailand. In December 1989. Chin Peng finally surrendered.
New Zealand Casualties from 1949 to 1989 12 Killed in Action, Operation or Exercise, 55 Died, Drowned, or Killed in Accidents
This was the end of a very important era in military history for New Zealand unfortunately forgotten by politicians and the public of the Country where the three Services served with pride and determination. Remember this was a war that was won, not like Korea, a stalemate or Vietnam a loss. It must be pointed out that approximately 38,000 upwards, New Zealand Service personal served in Malaya and Borneo voluntarily, for which there has finally been New Zealand Government recognition for that service. This Association affiliated to RNZRSA has constantly reminded the politicians of the day of this since the Organisations original existence. This perseverance has paid off finally, we the Service Personnel of the three Armed Services have now been presented by way of medalic recognition the New Zealand Operational Service Medal as deserved accolades for protection of freedom and democracy of our Country and a thank you for an excellent job well done.