Ode to Malaysian Shelldrake

 

This piece is written in conjunction with the anniversary of the nation Independence Day. On this meaningful occasion, I want to spare a story of struggle that may sound foreign to our ears. Their names are not engraved in the folds of the nation's blood history. Their stories are not destined for the decorative album of future generations. Not to mention more, for them to be garlanded with potpourri at their graves as warrior of the nation. This is the story of a warrior who does not solicit flattery, even when their blood has been at stake for the sake of the beloved country.

The history begins almost in line with the date of the birth of this land. On August 15, 1957, at a Camp in Kajang, a total of 89 natives young man have pledged to volunteer to defend this beloved land from foreign intruders. They are among pioneer who dubbed themselves as cannon crew in Malayan Federation Battery. The British had previously doubted the viability of the locals to join an artillery unit that requires agility to handle complexity of the weapon. But these are selected young people with a strong soul behind the bang of thunderbolt that had terrified the spirit of the enemy. Behind every eruption and the dust of the apocalypse from the shots of this cannon, stood gallantly a soulful determined young brave men. Their dexterity to smash the enemy with the accuracy of the target on to enemy position is undeniable and comparable. This is not an easy task because any miscalculations will be disastrous to own friendly forces. And without them, it is almost impossible for an infantry unit to survive and launch an attack.

Since the inception of the unit, their role and struggle is very important. The gun crews have faced various threats starting from the emergency period, the confrontation until the wiped off of communist militants in the country. The bang of the first shot with a 25 pounder cannon, fired successfully by PW II Ahmad Tajudin in October 1957 in Sri Menanti, Negeri Sembilan in an operation to assist SAS New Zealand. They are also deployed in the Rawang -Kuala Kubu Baru area which started the operation with Lincoln Bombers airstrikes from Singapore, followed by artillery fire and mortar prior to the Malay Regiment troops launched a search operation to search and destroy. The unit was then instructed to take a gun position around the Bentong-Karak road and fired raging shots to the south and west main road and successfully destroy enemy settlements. In the north of the Peninsula Malaya, they took up the gun position at Sintok in assisting the Malay Regiment to launch an attack to suspected communist occupation area. After the operation ended around October 1960, artillery troops continued to be deployed in the Kuala Nerang area, where they had to wading through Sungai Terap and Sungai Pedu to occupy the gun position for launch fire assistance. Harassing shots have been fired to weaken the morale of the enemy and facilitate search operations by the infantry unit. After the operation, because the crossing was flooded, the artillery unit was redeployed using a raft.

In 1963 once again the country was rocked by the detection of Indonesian paratroopers landed around the Thungamalu Estate area in Kluang which initiated Confrontation crisis with neighbouring country during Soekarno's rule. The Artillery Regiment was instructed to carry out coastal patrol duties to ambush the Indonesian military landing area. The platoon is led by artillery officers, Lt. M. Hasaan and Lt. Herman has performed the operation clearing as far as 6000 yards to track down enemies suspected to have been in the area. Several artillerymen were assigned as liaison officers to Gurkha troops from the British army. Direct gun fire assistance has been given to the Gurkha army conducting operations at a nearby position. The ambush was carried out at night and with the dexterity of one gun crew, Gunner Chew Ling had fought and managed to shoot dead one Indonesian soldiers in disguise in civilian clothes. In addition, two Indonesian army was also successfully apprehended by an artillery platoon led by Lt. Berinder Singh.

Apart from the Confrontation operations in the Peninsular, artillery units have also been deployed in Sabah and Sarawak in assisting operations since Kalabakan tragedy. Several guns  were placed in Wallace Bay, Batu Lintang, Lubuk Antu and Nangga Jambu to provide fire assistance to the 1/10 Gurkha Regiment. Gun positions led by several artillery officers, namely Lt. M. Bakar Saleh, Lt Wan Nor, Lt M Hon Hong Kuang. The guns were moved to a location about 4000 yards from the border Malaysia- Indonesia by using a Belvedere type helicopter. The artillery unit has took over the duties of the 45^th  Royal British Regiment at Batu Lintang on the sacred date 22 and 23 January 1965, where a horrific incident took place. The position of the artillery was shelled by the Indonesian army using howitzer at a distance of less than 800 meters. The gun crews survived despite the cannon fortifications being built and they were unable to launch counter fire due to the risk of nearby longhouse settlements.

At the time the country was in emergency from the year 1948 until 1960, the search and destruction of the enemy was carried out by infantry get protection and firing assistance from the artillery unit. Operations to eradicate communists are implemented continuously in the state of Perak, Pahang, Kelantan including settlements bordering Thailand in Betong Salient and Sadoa. In one of the operations under the control of several artillery forward observer officers namely Capt Zainal Din, Lt Mokhtar Perman and Lt Jamaluddin were directed shots that forced communist terrorists out of hiding areas. Almost 1200 rounds high explosive, White Phosphorus, yellow smoke have been shot against enemy positions. Through the reports obtained, the effects of the shots had succeeded in killing 24 communist terrorists and an estimated 17 suffered severe injuries.

In one of the operations, the artillery unit had to occupy a difficult position in order to provide fire support to the infantry unit conducting the seek and destroy operation. This gun position covers the area of ​​Klian Intan, Chantarat, Ban Mak Muang, Ban Kamo, Ban To and Ban Khok Chang. Lightning of gun fire at night has thwarted the communist terrorists in continue their operations and give a psychological impact that weakens their fighting spirit. Estimated nearly 6000 rounds of ammunition were successfully fired at the target for the success of the operation known as Cahaya Bena. With the success and agility of the unit and gun crews, they were assigned for the next operation in the Betong Salient area in assisting the Special Operations of Zulu Squadron carrying out the ambush on communist terrorist groups. Artillery officer Lt Basri Asari expertly directing shots that killed terrorists taking refuge in settlements. An unforgettable tragedy in the operation when one of the artillery officers, Lt. Raja Musa had suffered severe injuries due to   stepping on a booby trap. As a result of the injury, his eyes were blinded and his right leg had to be amputated.

This is the story of the bitter grief of those who known as the gun crews of artillery regiment, the unsung heroes. It is never a convenient task to operate and ensure the fire shot fall accurately and swiftly launch fire support at any time to ensure the life of friendly can be protected. Many of the gun crews were wounded and killed during operating this extremely high risk weapon. Now time has passes, their service and struggle in obliterating and frightening the enemy continued to pass quietly. The names mentioned in this story, is now in the midst of among ordinary citizen maybe we'll have met. But behind those unfamiliar faces, stored the story of once a warrior who rocked the battlefield with lightning of gunfire, ensure every inch of this beloved land is not tarnished by the unwelcome visitors.

Probably, if we may forget, do recall the rumble of the 101 rounds gun fires of 25 pounder cannon cries accompanying declarations of Independence of Malaya on auspicious 31 August 1957. Hopefully, that tremors of the gunfire will still resonate in very soul of the people hearts of this beloved land. Happy Merdeka Day to all Gunners!