| Confrontation with Indonesia 1962-1966 |
| Info Spot |
FACTS & FIGURES
Confrontation with
Indonesia 1962-1966
Australian forces involved
· Elements of the Royal
Australian Engineers (RAE)
· 3rd and 4th battalions of
the Royal Australian
Regiment (RAR) with
tracker dogs and
indigenous guides
· Elements of the Special
Air Services (SAS)
Regiment - the newly
formed elite
reconnaissance/patrol
force
· Royal Australian Artillery
support elements
· 693 Signal Troop
(detached from 121 Signal
Squadron, Singapore)
· Royal Australian Navy
(RAN): HMAS Curlew, Gull,
Hawk, Ibis, Snipe, Teal,
Duchess, Vampire,
Vendetta, Derwent,
Parramatta, Yarra.
Approximately 3,500
served. Causes of death
included motor vehicle
accidents (3), mines (3),
crushed by falling tree (2),
crushed by wild elephant
(1), drowning (1),
electrocution (1), illness
(1).
Australian Casualties
Copyright © ANZAC Day
Commemoration
Committee (Qld)
Incorporated 1998.
Confrontation with
Indonesia 1962-1966
Australian forces involved
· Elements of the Royal
Australian Engineers (RAE)
· 3rd and 4th battalions of
the Royal Australian
Regiment (RAR) with
tracker dogs and
indigenous guides
· Elements of the Special
Air Services (SAS)
Regiment - the newly
formed elite
reconnaissance/patrol
force
· Royal Australian Artillery
support elements
· 693 Signal Troop
(detached from 121 Signal
Squadron, Singapore)
· Royal Australian Navy
(RAN): HMAS Curlew, Gull,
Hawk, Ibis, Snipe, Teal,
Duchess, Vampire,
Vendetta, Derwent,
Parramatta, Yarra.
Approximately 3,500
served. Causes of death
included motor vehicle
accidents (3), mines (3),
crushed by falling tree (2),
crushed by wild elephant
(1), drowning (1),
electrocution (1), illness
(1).
Australian Casualties
Copyright © ANZAC Day
Commemoration
Committee (Qld)
Incorporated 1998.
| If You would like to know more behind the reasons and politics for the Indonesian Conflict, here's a good reference page to brush up on your history. History of the Conflict Wikipedia Indonesia - Malaysia Konfontasi |
Confrontation (1963-1966)
'The Borneo Banyan' In 1963 when the new nation of Malaysia was proclaimed, Malaysia had absorbed the states of Malaya,
Singapore (later to withdraw), Sarawak and Sabah (North Borneo) in a new Federation. Unfortunately Indonesia opposed the
new nation. The Indonesian President (Dr. Sukarno) embarked on a policy of 'confrontation' and later threatened to 'crush'
Malaysia. Australia made it clear that if Malaysia were subjected to armed invasion or subversive activity supported from
outside, then Australian military assistance would be added to that of the Malaysian and British. RAN warships in the Strategic
Reserve were available for patrol and escort ops.
In April 1964 both HMAS Yarra and HMAS Parramatta were involved in patrols off Malaya to intercept fast patrol boats and
submarines.
President Sukarno was not deterred and mounted numerous incursions of troops into Malaysian Borneo as well as sea
landings on the Malayan coast. During 1964 Australian Naval Operations were sharply increased to counter the threat of
sea-borne infiltration. The coastal minesweepers Hawk, Curlew, Snipe and Gull, were committed and patrolled off the coasts of
Borneo, Malaya and Singapore. Later in 1964 Teal and Ibis took part in these ops. HMAS Sydney, now converted to her new
role as a fast troop transport sailed for Malaysian ports carrying army personnel, ammunition, AA guns and stores. As well
destroyers, Duchess, Vampire and Vendetta together with the frigate Derwent joined in 'confrontation' patrol duty.
Indonesia persisted with hostile acts which included dropping paratroops into Malaysia and the landing by sea of infiltrators
who clashed with Commonwealth forces. 'Indonesian attacks', the Prime Minister told parliament, 'may create a real risk of
war... it is tremendously important that Indonesia should not become communist.' On 10th November 1964 compulsory
National Service was reintroduced for the army and the RAN permanent strength was to be increased from 12,569 to 15,893
over the next three years.
HMAS Teal whilst operating as part of the Singapore Straits patrol on 13th December 1964 was fired upon with automatic
weapons by a vessel which then headed for Indonesian waters. Teal returned fire with three Bren guns and two Owen guns
and arrested the boat. C.O., Lieutenant Murray was later decorated with the DSC, continued its 'confrontation' and the British
organized substantial naval forces to defend Malaysia. RAN destroyers, frigates and minesweepers maintained their patrols.
When Indonesian forces crossed the border into eastern Sebatik Island near Tawau, Sabah, on 28th June 1965, Yarra was
called upon to carry out bombardments designed to harass the withdrawal of the infiltrators. Bombardments of the border
area were again carried out on the 5th and 10th July.
On the night of the 30th September 1965 a coup attempt, in which Indonesian communists became involved, occurred in
Indonesia. Six senior Generals were killed. The coup failed and was followed by widespread violence and bloodshed. It proved a
turning point for 'confrontation', which declined thereafter and on 13th August 1966 a formal agreement concluded between
Indonesia and Malaysia bringing the conflict to an end.
'The Borneo Banyan' In 1963 when the new nation of Malaysia was proclaimed, Malaysia had absorbed the states of Malaya,
Singapore (later to withdraw), Sarawak and Sabah (North Borneo) in a new Federation. Unfortunately Indonesia opposed the
new nation. The Indonesian President (Dr. Sukarno) embarked on a policy of 'confrontation' and later threatened to 'crush'
Malaysia. Australia made it clear that if Malaysia were subjected to armed invasion or subversive activity supported from
outside, then Australian military assistance would be added to that of the Malaysian and British. RAN warships in the Strategic
Reserve were available for patrol and escort ops.
In April 1964 both HMAS Yarra and HMAS Parramatta were involved in patrols off Malaya to intercept fast patrol boats and
submarines.
President Sukarno was not deterred and mounted numerous incursions of troops into Malaysian Borneo as well as sea
landings on the Malayan coast. During 1964 Australian Naval Operations were sharply increased to counter the threat of
sea-borne infiltration. The coastal minesweepers Hawk, Curlew, Snipe and Gull, were committed and patrolled off the coasts of
Borneo, Malaya and Singapore. Later in 1964 Teal and Ibis took part in these ops. HMAS Sydney, now converted to her new
role as a fast troop transport sailed for Malaysian ports carrying army personnel, ammunition, AA guns and stores. As well
destroyers, Duchess, Vampire and Vendetta together with the frigate Derwent joined in 'confrontation' patrol duty.
Indonesia persisted with hostile acts which included dropping paratroops into Malaysia and the landing by sea of infiltrators
who clashed with Commonwealth forces. 'Indonesian attacks', the Prime Minister told parliament, 'may create a real risk of
war... it is tremendously important that Indonesia should not become communist.' On 10th November 1964 compulsory
National Service was reintroduced for the army and the RAN permanent strength was to be increased from 12,569 to 15,893
over the next three years.
HMAS Teal whilst operating as part of the Singapore Straits patrol on 13th December 1964 was fired upon with automatic
weapons by a vessel which then headed for Indonesian waters. Teal returned fire with three Bren guns and two Owen guns
and arrested the boat. C.O., Lieutenant Murray was later decorated with the DSC, continued its 'confrontation' and the British
organized substantial naval forces to defend Malaysia. RAN destroyers, frigates and minesweepers maintained their patrols.
When Indonesian forces crossed the border into eastern Sebatik Island near Tawau, Sabah, on 28th June 1965, Yarra was
called upon to carry out bombardments designed to harass the withdrawal of the infiltrators. Bombardments of the border
area were again carried out on the 5th and 10th July.
On the night of the 30th September 1965 a coup attempt, in which Indonesian communists became involved, occurred in
Indonesia. Six senior Generals were killed. The coup failed and was followed by widespread violence and bloodshed. It proved a
turning point for 'confrontation', which declined thereafter and on 13th August 1966 a formal agreement concluded between
Indonesia and Malaysia bringing the conflict to an end.
| Admiral Lord Mountbatten Inspecting HMAS Ibis, Kuching |
*Singapore
| anchor colour to base colour here |
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