A storm approaches, the sky grows dark ...
One of the reasons I came to Malaysia was because my father served here as part of the British Army due to the Malayan Emergency.
The Malayan Emergency began in February 1948 with terrorist attacks by Communist guerillas on European settlers in the Malay peninsula. The Emergency was declared in July of that year. The Communists were not prepared for the British response of aggressive counter-attacks and search and destroy tactics. The Communist units were very nearly destroyed in the ensuing running fights, but a pause caused by the delay of British reinforcements, and the death of the High Commissioner, allowed the Communist army time to regroup and retrain. The Communists continued their campaign: of either wooing the populace, or terrifying them into kicking the British out. Their campaign failed. The British employed one of their first helicopter units in a hearts-and-minds campaign, using the helicopters to evacuate military and civilian wounded to hospital, to bring in supplies and to provide troop transport.
The Communist force fell apart in 1960, after twelve years of jungle warfare. The British hearts-and-minds campaign was successful, in sharp contrast to the similar, but unsuccessful, campaign mounted by the Americans in Vietnam.
Typical Malaysian construction. Single layer thick brick work.
I don’t know exactly where my father was in Malaysia but I wanted to come here regardless. Also, I did want to hit southeast Asia in my travels and everyone goes to Thailand or Indonesia, so I wanted to go somewhere different. Although still, a lot of people come to Malaysia.
Then a layer of concrete to seal it all in and make is smooth
I can’t imagine having to do military duty in such heat carrying packs and wearing full uniform. That would be tough to me. I feel like passing out when I am just wearing shorts and a tank top. But I guess you do what you have to do. Dad told me he didn’t really see any direct combat and was more in charge of transportation of goods via truck and train. I think I remember he said that they did have a raid on one of the trains that they were on but they overcame that.
And the (almost) finished product. They love their sherbert orange and lime green colour schemes.
Anyway, here I am Dad. Glad to have come and seen the country you spent time serving the British Army in. Too bad you weren’t around now so that I could ask you more questions about Malaya as you knew it, now Malaysia. One thing for sure, it is hot, damn hot!
Too bad Dad is not around – he would have loved to hear about your time in Malaysia’ It does sound very hot – I think he said he spent his 19th birthday in the jungle.
Yup there is plenty of jungle so that is likely. Would have been a buggy hot birthday and likely wet too.
I heard Steve Jobes sent ipads up there, so Dads watching………He just hasn’t learned how to post yet.
I know – he was waiting for your instructions!! :o)