Communist Terrorists.
(the following is an extract taken from a history of the SAS
The rise of International Communism, as sponsored by the USSR and China, caused new theatres of operation to spring up overnight. These conflicts were unsuitable for regular troops due to unusual terrain, politically sensitive situations, and the need for highly specialized training and use of small numbers of soldiers. As Britain entered the new era of decolonisation, and sought to leave her former colonies with a large degree of stability, the need arose for highly mobile, highly motivated action oriented specialized troops. This began the resurrection of the Special Air Service. The country of Malaya was thrown into turmoil by the emergence after the war by Chinese sponsored Communist Terrorists (CTs). These terrorists live according to Mao's dictum "Kill one, frighten a thousand". They swept into Malay villages, gave long lectures and executed those who were unwilling to comply, or were merely convenient. The terrorists were made up of approximately 1200 men divided into 10 regiments, 9 of which were Chinese.
On June 16, 1948, 3 europeans were executed at their plantations. This act caused the British Government to announce a state of Emergency. The situation escalated from a conflict against terrorist to an all out guerrilla campaign in the jungle. Six Gurkha battalions were rushed to Malaya, poorly equipped and including some raw recruits. A Unit called Ferret Force was created by including some veterans of the war with the Japanese, some regular army volunteers and Iban trackers from Borneo, known for being headhunters. By March 1950, the death toll stood at 863 civilians killed, 323 police officers and 154 soldiers, while the Communist losses were 1,138 killed, 645 captured, and 359 surrendered. But this proved to be only the beginning.
An expert in guerrilla warfare, "Mad" Mike Calvert was enlisted to study the Malaya problem, and implement a solution. Calvert went on patrol in Malaya, covering over 1500 miles of enemy infested territory, although he was "only ambushed twice". Calvert and the Director of Operations General Sir Harold Briggs decided to implement what became known as the "Briggs Plan". The idea was to uproot whole indigenous populations, moving them to fortified villages, while undertaking to deny the CTs a steady food supply. Calvert was instructed to raise a force of soldiers who would live in the jungle, taking the battle to the terrorists on their ground. He succeeded in creating the Malayan Scouts (SAS). The recruits consisted of veterans from SOE, SAS, Ferret Force & Force 136, as well as men dissatisfied with their regular units. Calvert went as far as Rhodesia, recruiting from a 1000 volunteers to form what would become C Squadron. His Intelligence staff was made up of Chinese interpreters from Hong Kong. Other soldiers came from 21 SAS the Reserves and Territorial Army, some of whom had served under David Stirling.
While conflicts with the enemy were few, the Malayan Scouts got their feet wet and learned some vital lessons about jungle warfare. When Calvert was invalided back to Britain, his replacement shipped off many of the unit's unrulier sort and instituted an new measure of discipline. John Woodhouse, an officer of Calvert's went back to England to start a selection process that would become infamous for its toughness.
In Malaya, a new tactic of parachuting into the high trees which covered the landscape was instituted, and although there were frequent casualties, it continues until the end of the war. The Scouts would stay in the bush for weeks at a time, mounting far ranging patrols, doing reconnaissance and engaging the enemy, while being resupplied by air drops. A new policy was authored by General Sir Gerald Templar, the Military High Commissioner, which coined the phrase winning "the hearts and minds of the Malayan people".
Soldiers went into villages and assisted the inhabitants with medical aid and protection from terrorists, gaining their trust and assistance in intelligence gathering. This tactic of influencing the local population worked well, toughening their resolve to stay free. It was an accomplishment of great proportion as Malaya joined with other South East Asian countries to become Malaysia, progressive and prosperous. The Rhodesian C Squadron, lead by Peter Walls, who later became the leader of all of Rhodesia's Armed Forces after UDI, went home to be replaced by a squadron of New Zealanders. The Rhodesian experience would prove invaluable when they fought encroaching terrorist threat at home. One young trooper in C Squadron was Ron Reid Daly, who would raise and command Rhodesia's elite Selous Scouts. The Rhodesians would maintain their connection to the British SAS for years to come.
The most famous soldier to arise in Malaya was Sgt. Bob Turnbull, an amazing tracker and incredible jungle fighter. His favorite weapon was a 12 gauge pump-action shotgun, perfectly suited for devastating effect at close quarters. At one point, Turnbull tracked a group of 4 enemy terrorists to their hide at a small hut deep in the jungle. He waited patiently, and watched as the sentry went inside to stay dry while it began to rain. At this point he approached quietly and opened up, killing all four. Definitely a force to be reckoned with.
In 1957 deep cuts were made, and the SAS squadrons, depleted already, were made smaller and consolidated - so B Squadron, 22nd SAS was disbanded and her men absorbed by the under strength A Squadron. Squadrons D and C had gone home to Rhodesia.
