Overview
From 1963 to 1966 Britain successfully waged a secret war to keep the Federation of Malaya free from domination by Soekarno's Indonesia and by Chinese Communists. At the forefront of the campaign was the SAS, an elite branch of the British army whose essence is secrecy and whose tools are bold initiative, surprise and skill. Working in four man patrols, the SAS teams first befriended the head-hunting border tribes and even trained some of them as an irregular militia force. As the conflict continued, SAS teams went beyond the borders into Indonesia where they tracked down enemy camps, destroyed supply routes and attacked the soldiers in the riverboats. By talking to those who were there, Peter Dickens has recreated what it was really like to fight in the dense jungle and rainforest of Malaysia. In telling this dramatic story, he captures the bravery and relentless pursuit of excellence that make the SAS the elite and prestigious unit it is.
From 1963 to 1967, Britain kept the states of northern Borneo free from domination by Indonesia and by Chinese communists by using the SAS--the Special Air Service. Their essence was secrecy. Their tools were skill and surprise. In interviews with those who were there, Dickens recreates what it was like to fight in the jungles of Malaysia. (Military History)
Synopsis
When you're fighting for your life with a fifty-fifty chance you've got to enjoy it. Know what I mean? From 1963 to 1966 Britain successfully waged a secret war to keep the Federation of Malaya free from domination by Sukarno's Indonesia and by Chinese Communists. At the forefront of the campaign was the SAS, an elite branch of the British army whose essence is secrecy and whose tools are bold initiative, surprise, and skill. By talking to those who were there, Peter Dickens has recreated what it was really like to fight in the dense jungle and rainforest of Malaysia. In telling this dramatic story, he captures the bravery and relentless pursuit of excellence that make the SAS the elite and prestigious unit it is.