| Active Service : Confrontation with Indonesia 1962-1966 |
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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/pa
trol 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.
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/pa
trol 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 are unsure of the reasons and politics behind the Indonesian Conflict, heres 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.
| * If anyone has any Minesweeper memories or experiences regarding the conflict years, please feel free to email us at: and we will be happy to share them here. |
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