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‘GUNNERS IN BORNEO – Artillery During Confrontation 1962-66’
(by Alan H Smith) ISBN 9780980393309
Forewords by Major Generals C M I Pearson and J Whitelaw
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This book brings together for the first time an account of the most economical war ever fought in modern times from a mainly artillery perspective. Known as the Borneo or Confrontation War, it was fought by the Security Forces, a mix of British, Australian, New Zealand and Malaysian armies, navies and air forces for five years. Lest this war be seen as one of little importance, British strategy successfully stopped it escalating into the sort of conflict then engulfing Vietnam. The war was also a triumph for counter-insurgency and expeditionary warfare waged by the Security Forces against Indonesian terrorists and Regular Forces, to which artillery made a major contribution.
The build up to war is covered briefly and its command under the aegis of Far Eastern Command (FEC) and Far East Land Forces (FARELF) is followed by an outline of Indonesia’s military strength, intelligence gathering and the importance of survey/mapping to land operations. Initially the gunners were used as infantry until their utility was spectacularly demonstrated by its use against the Indonesians by an Australian Forward Observer in 1964. Thereafter, gunners from both field/light and locating branches gained and kept the initiative, being enterprising and innovative in the process. In supporting British, Gurkha, Australian, New Zealand and Malaysian forces they adapted doctrine and practice to keep their foe at a military disadvantage. The key role played by ‘hearts and minds’ initiatives is also given.
The history concludes with a discussion of artillery lessons, which was to greatly influence how the Australian military approached their next war in Vietnam, an examination of the campaign from an expeditionary warfare aspect, and from a perspective of a Revolutionary Military Affairs paradigm, which are now being played out in Afghanistan and Iraq.
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No effective land operations would have been possible had it not been for the demonstrable utility of the helicopter – it was the ‘maid of all work’ from tactical command in crisis situations to the evacuation of compassionate cases or casualties. The role of the air forces of Britain, Australia and Malaysia, particularly air re-supply to bases, together with casualty evacuation, also extended to surveillance of coast of Sarawak and Malaysia by the navies of Britain, Australia and New Zealand. Interdicting Indonesian aerial incursions and coastal raids is covered, as is the key role played by the light aircraft of the Army Aviation Corps for many and varied tasks. These aspects are covered in some detail when related to a significant event involving their personnel. The essential services of infrastructure and water supply, airstrip and road making tasks, supply of war-likes stores by the Engineers was backed up by the Royal Corps of Signals, Logistics, Medical and other services. Australian officers and senior NCOs occupied many positions in all arms and services of the Security Forces, and prepared them well for their next deployment to Vietnam. |
| Hardback; xxiv, Pp 208, contents, maps, illustrated, glossary, foreword, appendices, Security Forces Order of Battle, bibliography, nominal roll and index. |
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