THE MALAYAN EMERGENCY

[Peter Laidler]

We referred to our uniforms - such as they were - as JG's or OG's, Olive greens. One of the photos shows it well and it hadn't changed although we always had two water bottles
As I recall it, the Malay Army had trouble with the IS situation without the support of the UK, Aust and RNZIR Infantry and their support. The Armoured Cars and other armoured troop carriers etc had all gone from 17 Inf Div (the Black Cats) on the East Coast at Seremban/Kuantan, north of the remaining 'grey' areas that were reverting to 'black areas' in Johore so roads in the south were a bit dodgy. The Artillery still had a small detachment of RA, RAA, RNZA in Tampin. Up in the North, Grik, Kroh, Sungei Siput and Alor Star were never really tamed. It was always 'black' or bandit country with a never ending curfew as the border down from Thailand and ultimately China was porous to say the very least! We knew that because most of the captures were chinese bolt actions and a few AK's. After 13 May '69 it all went pear shaped up there. Everyone was put back on standby for the muck to hit the fan. I don't know the politics........, all I knew was that I was going to Borneo the next month and then back to Oz after that. Quick arranged 'jolly' - or perk trip to NZ - and home.,

How the xxxx do I remember all these names of crap places? Dunno.........