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Category:
Conflicts/Malaya |
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Malayan
Emergency 1955-60
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At the peak of the Emergency, several
years before the BCFESR commitment, there were some 8,000 CT and an
estimated 50,000 sympathisers within the Malayan population. The CT
movement was primarily Chinese-based. The Security Forces (SF) at the
same period included 23 infantry battalions, over 60,000 police and
250,000 home guards.
2RAR, with its
supporting artillery battery, deployed to Malaya in October 1955. It was
relieved by 3RAR and its battery in October 1957, which in turn was
relieved by 1RAR and battery in October 1959.
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The battalions were used
almost continually on patrolling, ambushing, food denial and cordon and
search operations in northern Malaya, except for short
periods of leave and retraining.
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Lee
Enfield jungle carbines and kit as used by the Australians in
Malaya |
Australian Army losses in the
Emergency, from approximately 7,000 who served in theatre, were 13
killed in action (KIA) and 24 wounded (WIA), with 21 non-operational
deaths and 111 cases of non-operational other casualties. The Emergency
was declared officially ended on 31 July 1960. |
Australian Involvement
and Casualties
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Lincoln Bombers from No 1
Squadron RAAF delivered 85% of all bombs dropped during the
campaign. >>
Dakotas from No 38 Transport Squadron RAAF supplied
troops with food, ammunition and equipment, dropped propaganda leaflets,
flew paratroops in, evacuated injured, and provided aid to people. |
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Between 1955 and 1962 1st, 2nd
and 3rd Battalions, Royal Australian Regiment (RAR) rotated
through Malaya.
There were also artillery, engineer and signals
specialist troops as part of Australia's commitment.
Royal Australian Navy ships involved were
- HMAS. . .
- Anzac,
- Arunta,
-
Melbourne,
- Quadrant,
- Queenborough,
- Quiberon,
- Quickmatch,
- Sydney,
- Tobruk,
-
Vampire,
- Vendetta,
- Voyager,
- Warramunga.
Casualties
Category |
RAN |
Army |
RAAF |
Total |
Operational |
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Fatal |
- |
13 |
2 |
15 |
Non-fatal |
- |
24 |
3 |
27 |
Non-operational |
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Fatal |
4 |
21 |
11 |
36 |
Non-fatal |
43 |
111 |
18 |
172 |
Total |
47 |
169 |
34 |
250 |
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