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The Kelantan Jungle
After completing two months'
continuous deep jungle operations in the State of Kelantan and within the
Sungei Betis area in particular, 10 Platoon, Delta Company were airlifted
out from Fort Chabai by Pioneer aircraft for a well deserved period of
Rest and Recuperation.
| The Pipes and Drums followed
10 Platoon's route. The patrol was to traverse the same area and also the
many villages interspersed throughout the whole region. This aspect was
an on-going component of deep jungle patrols inasmuch that it gave continuing
encouragement to the aborigines, demonstrating that the Security Forces
were prepared to enter their domain. |
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This was contrary to Communist
propaganda that stated the Security Forces were unprepared to penetrate
this deep into the jungle environment, because of lack of deep jungle experience,
physical and mental application and their need for local guides was at
a minimum. Statements as such were well noted and spread among all the
aborigines.
| Before continuing further,
there is one point to be noted. It is that bandsmen with 1 Battalion did
participate in 'jungle bashing' apart from ceremonial duties.
Thirteen members of the 19-man
Pipes and Drums section made up this patrol and its personnel were issued
with two seven-day British ration packs and, together with other paraphernalia,
the Bergin packs weighed roughly 27 kilos. (60 lbs). |
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The patrol's armaments comprised
three Bren guns, two 9mm Sterling (L2A3) automatics, six 7.62mm self-loading
FN FALs (L1A1), one .38 Service Revolver and one jungle carbine. Bren gunners
were issued with six spare magazines while Sterlings and FNs each had three
spare mags and, allowing for the extra weight of the weapons, some men
were carrying 32-36 kilos (70-80 lbs).
The patrol was transported
via armoured Bedford personnel carriers to Tanah Hitim, where Delta Company
was operational. Travelling in these vehicles equated to entombment in
a mobile oven. These vehicles had acquired an uncomplimentary title - 'pigs'.
However, whoever initially coined this phrase had a sense of humour. This
'pig' had several "Grunts" inside! This was slang for an infantryman, which
was more readily acceptable in mixed company than the usual, common term,
'baggy-arse'. This part of the anatomy was usually dragging at the end
of a patrol, therefore, the apt title!
The officer selected to command
our patrol was Second Lieutenant P.K. (Pat) Power, from Delta Company.
Accompanying him was a Chinese interpreter, by the name of Chan, whose
expert knowledge and application of some of the differing dialects of the
aboriginal tongue was very impressive. |
