Deep Behind Enemy Lines, page 30
Wake-up was at 0600 hours. When breakfast chores were done the three donned their ponchos, storm hats, waterproof boots, keeping the radio portables open and left the encampment heading south to the border. An hour into a steep climb they reached the site recommended by Tuki. It was indeed a very good location, a rock alcove high above the valley floor with the river flowing below. There was virtually inaccessible and unscalable rock face on three sides and plenty of jungle cover, just as Tuki described. They settled on a spot where they could assemble their jungle basher, and decided the ways and means of protection from the continuous rain. The jungle training they had all undergone at JWS served them well in this environment.
‘Well done, Tuki, this is ideal. We’ll get back to base and collect all items necessary for the job. Between us we shouldn’t have any problem getting our stuff back up to this observation post,’ said Bill. An hour later they were back at the long house and briefed Darren on the situation.
‘When we’ve got this stuff back to the OP, Tuki will come back here leaving Seth and I for the first seven-day shift. We’ll rotate as discussed. Our priority is to set up the jungle basher and establish radio contact with Kuching and Radios will be kept open and on standby at all times,’ instructed Bill.
Bill, Seth and Tuki put together all the equipment they’d need for the first shift, most of which could be packed and carried in the large rucksack Bergen’s the remainder being manhandled between them. They said cheerio to Darren, emphasizing communication once a day or if an emergency arose, and took off for their mountain foxhole.
When they arrived they set about establishing the jungle basher to make themselves as comfortable as possible. Securely tying two hammocks to adjacent saplings and covering them with a waterproof groundsheet created a crude, improvised pup tent. A covered cooking and eating area was devised, making the whole construction quite a cosy and weather-proof basher. The radios were set up, together with antennae and once viewing positions were selected, both HP Binoculars with non-reflective lens filters fitted and NVGs were placed close at hand so they would have good vision for both day and night.
‘Right, Seth, you take the first shift of four hours until lunch, 0900 hours to 1300 hours after which I’ll take over. Is that OK with you?’
‘No problem.’
With the rota established, at 1300 hours Seth was relieved to prepare lunch and Bill picked up a pair of HP Binoculars, lay down in a comfortable position to commence the next shift and started to scan the vista below.
‘This is a truly stunning view, absolutely breath taking, although nothing of interest to report for the moment,’ remarked Bill.
He continued panning the area into the afternoon, and invited Seth to join him with another pair of binoculars to view the scenery. Meanwhile, Bill used his binoculars to scan the sides of the surrounding rugged stone and jungle faces, in the event of any enemy movement or penetration from that direction.
‘All looks quite peaceful on the rock faces around us I’m pleased to say, although it’s early days yet,’ he said, inclining his head towards Seth.
‘Well no news is good news pro tem, so I suggest it’s time we eat.’
Lunch out of the way, Bill got his head down for a short nap and Seth continued scanning the land and river below. A few Iban dugout canoes were working their way in and out of inlets along the bank of the river; most probably the local natives doing their daily ritual of hunting for food and catching fish for their dependents. He saw no heavier enemy craft.
Chapter 51
Observation Post, Tebedu Ridge, Division One
Bill woke a couple of hours later. At first he wondered where the hell he was, but soon realised he was at the observation post. It was still very humid but the rain had eased to a warm drizzle.
‘I’ll take over now Seth, and give you a break. I suggest you make a brew for us. Nothing to report I guess?’
‘Nothing of significance. A few Iban dugouts on the river plying their usual daily hunting routine for food and fish to feed the village which looks like it’s quite close to the edge of the river.’
‘OK, go get that tea. I could really do with a cuppa; my mouth feels as though I’ve been eating sawdust.’ Bill settled down with his binoculars and Seth set about making the brew.
Prone and comfortable, Bill scanned the river and terrain below them, periodically panning his view along the edges of the rock faces surrounding them, wondering if an enemy would actually be capable of scaling these heights. Probably not, he thought. That would be a challenge too far. They are landlubbers, not mountain goats!
The light was fading so Bill picked up his NVGs ready to enhance his night vision. Seth called to him that food he had prepared was almost ready. It was basically vegetarian, Malay-style and was enjoyed by both of them.
‘Now that, young man, was pretty damned good. You’ll make some lucky lady a good husband one day,’ Bill said grinning broadly. ‘I’ll get Tuki to catch and bring us some fresh meat or maybe fish for tomorrow’s supper to ring the changes.’
‘That would be great,’ responded Seth.
Supper over it was now quite dark, and Bill returned to his NVGs, scanning as much of the area as he could within their range. When using them he always thought how otherworldly and eerie everything looked because of the green tint they gave everything. However, it was an essential piece of equipment for use in military action and assaults in low to near darkness. He reflected on the time he and his team had used them in the NFD free fall parachuting at Bura and Hola during Operation Nighthawk. That operation seemed years ago now when in fact it was only a few months.
At midnight Seth took over the night shift whilst Bill retired to his hammock.
It was 0400 hours when Bill was now up and after making a brew of tea for them both, he took over the early morning watch whilst Seth jumped double-quick into his hammock and lay supping a welcome mug of hot tea. The sun was well above the horizon to the east and again, Bill settled into his prone position. It was after about an hour that he noticed different activity on the river below. Two large troop-carrying vessels were approaching the south bank where they were being guided in and then moored.
He needed some advice and radioed down to the village. ‘Tuki, come up here and bring your binoculars PDQ. There’s activity down on the river and it’s not the usual village stuff, so I want your input.’
After about an hour Tuki joined him. He lay down and raised his binoculars to his eyes. ‘Yes, I see them.’
‘Can you identify the outfit, the approximate head count and determine in what direction they’re heading?’
‘From the look of their uniforms they’re soldiers of the Indonesian 428 Raider Battalion and I count about twenty-five men in each vessel. They look to be heading somewhere close to Cabjnet. Probably about two miles east of there but we’ll be able to check just how far they actually venture inland on our next observation.’
Bill made another scan of the scene and nodded his confirmation. The 0800 hours sitrep was due in about ten minutes but Bill decided to radio Major Birtwhistle immediately with this information, and then make Darren aware of the situation.
‘Good morning Eagle, this is Vulture. I’ve urgent information to report. At 0745 hours today, close to the village of Cabjnet on the Koemba River we observed what looks to be an enemy supply route. Approximately fifty Indonesian troops, who appear to be members of 428 Raider Battalion have disembarked on the south bank of the river.’
‘Are you able to give me a more exact position where they are now?’
‘We estimate about 4,000 yards east of Cabjnet. We’re currently waiting to see how far inland they’re going. It could be they intend to set up a base camp, but we’ll be able to give you a more accurate assessment with our ranging instrument once we know more. I’ll update you shortly,’ replied Bill.
‘Very good, Vulture. I’ll inform the appropriate people. I do know there are a reconnaissance troop of SAS soldiers and a patrol of 2/10 Gurkhas in that border region. Over and out.’
Bill’s team continued to monitor the enemy activity and estimated that the Indonesians had stopped about 3,500 yards inland and had commenced establishing a military base from where they could cross the river and make incursions into the First Division including Biawak and Sodjingen. Of course, such incursions would be repelled at all costs. This information was forwarded to Major Birtwhistle.
After his communication with WO Scraggs, Major Birtwhistle immediately informed Captain Roberts and Mr Reeves in Singapore with this new development and followed it with a call to Lieutenant Colonel Kemple-Scott.
‘Good morning Colonel, Major Birtwhistle here, just a short call to inform you that we have just had intelligence feedback from our advance covert reconnaissance team in the First Division at Tebedu. There is a build-up of Indonesian troops on the south bank of the River Koemba close to the village of Cabjnet. I understand you have troops in that region?’ he said.
‘Good morning to you too Major Birtwhistle. I can confirm that we have a column of SAS and Gurkha’s working along the border close to the area you mention. I will inform my men immediately of the enemy threat and its location and instruct them to converge on the area with maximum stealth in readiness for an ambush. The moment I have approval from DOBOPS, bearing in mind the current constraints regarding Sandstone, I will get back to you immediately.’
‘The present constraints are fully understood and this information will be passed as an intelligence brief’.
‘Thank you major. Further questions, what is the size of the Indonesian Group and have they been identified yet? Also, what is the estimated distance of their encampment from cross-border into Kalimantan territory?’ the Colonel fired off.
‘The observation team advise approximately fifty men that they could see from what appears to be the 428 Raider Battalion. They are located roughly 4,000 yards east of Cabjnet and approximately 3,500 yards inland from the border’. The next question the Colonel asked was ‘What covert team is providing the intelligence information at Tebedu?’
‘It’s a team of covert Global Wireless Special Forces attached to and directed by the FO’ replied the Major.
‘I am also interested to know who leads them?’
‘A Warrant Officer with whom I believe you are familiar. WO Scraggs. I understand he worked with you on a Gurkha parachute training course in Kluang?’
‘That’s right. I thought it might be the same team and leader. I have every confidence in their reporting and especially the excellent leadership and track record of WO Scraggs from a similar operation in Kenya recently. Thank you for the information Major and I’ll bear it in mind. Keep me informed of any further progress or changes to the present situation’.
‘Will do Sir’ and the call was terminated.
Major Birtwhistle then placed a call to Captain McBride in Kuching to inform him of developments.
Immediately the call had finished with Major Birtwhistle, Lieutenant Colonel Kemple-Scott called HQ 17 Gurkha Division in Labuan giving the DOBOPS an outline of the intelligence information and requesting approval to dispatch troops in “hot pursuit” and force the enemy to retreat. Given the sensitivity of these operations DOBOPS advised him he would be given a reply in less than 48 hours and to standby.
Two days later, now 25th February, Lieutenant Colonel Kemple-Scott received a call from DOBOPS in Labuan giving authorisation for a pre-emptive cross-border offensive against the enemy encampment. He next contacted the lead Senior NCO of his on-the-ground reconnaissance team the 22nd SAS and 2/10 Gurkha Rifles. This team comprised a total of twenty-seven men. His instructions were for them to advance to a position on the north side of the river, opposite the Indonesian landing point and co-opt the services of local Iban river tribesmen to ferry them across at night to the south side in dugout canoes.
‘What do you consider your ETA will be to the crossing point?’ asked the officer.
‘I estimate from where we are, 24-hours should do it Sir’ replied the Senior NCO.
‘OK that’s good. However, you are not to undertake any pre-emptive strike until you get my order, is that understood Staff?’
‘Yes Sir, fully understood. We’ll await your call. I will advise you when we are at the river location and ready to make the crossing’.
‘Roger that, over and out’ and the transmission ended.
Bill thanked Tuki for his input and observational expertise.
Meantime, Bill’s team observed that enemy numbers had increased to about eighty. The observation rota was now due to be changed.
‘Seth, I want you to change over with Darren for a few days in the coming week. You can make immediate arrangements to return to base camp and send Darren here.’
‘Will do Skipper. Is there anything I need to report back on my arrival?
‘No, other than the state of things presently at the camp site.’
Seth grabbed his stuff and set off for the long house at Tebedu.
Tuki was lying prone and continuing to scan the activities below while he waited for Darren to arrive and relieve him when he suddenly called Bill over. Bill squatted beside Tuki and raised his binoculars.
‘There certainly looks to be some productive activity going on down there,’ he exclaimed.
‘Yes, it certainly seems like it. They look to be setting up for an indeterminate stay. Most likely further troops will join them ready for a cross-border incursion.’
‘Well, let’s hope we can give them some bad news on that score shortly,’ replied Bill in anticipation of an authorised pre-emptive strike by security forces based on their dispatched intelligence report.
Bill was just settling down with a brew of tea when Darren arrived at the lookout.
‘Everything OK back at base?’ Bill asked.
‘Yes Skipper, all’s good’.
‘Ok Tuki, you get back and update Seth on the current status.
Right Darren, when you’ve settled in get a pair of binoculars, hunker down by me and take a look at what’s happening down there and across the river. After that I will update you on developments’.
Darren settled beside Bill who brought him up to speed with the recent movements of the enemy.
Lieutenant Colonel Kemple-Scott’s reconnaissance SAS troopers and 2/10 Gurkha Rifles were making good progress through the border jungle and their ETA to the crossing point was estimated to be another two hours, which would see them there just as it was getting dark. Before reaching their destination, they came across a Dayak village, which was sited very close to the river crossing and the lead Senior NCO and two of the Gurkha’s, who could speak the local dialect, negotiated five dugouts and a sensible price was agreed. These would each comfortably carry six soldiers and a canoe master. The plan was to cross the river the next evening providing they received authorization to make the pre-emptive strike on the enemy. The lead NCO then made a brief secure radio call to Lieutenant Colonel Kemple-Scott to inform him they had acquired dugouts and once they received the go ahead they would implement the attack. The CO acknowledged this and advised them that further orders would follow.
The following evening orders were received to commence the pre-emptive strike against the troops of the Indonesian 428 Raider Battalion. The heavily armed combat unit loaded onto the canoes and made the crossing at close to midnight. No moon, complete darkness and rain gave excellent advantage for stealth and surprise so that with the use of NVGs they could see through the pitch-blackness and rain. The Iban’s were told to wait for their return and it took thirty minutes to cross the river to the opposite bank. It would be almost two miles of careful trekking to the enemy encampment and would take them about another forty minutes to reach their quarry.
Chapter 52
It was 0130 hours and Darren was on watch, having come up to replace Tuki earlier. Bill was asleep but the rattle of distant heavy gunfire didn’t go unnoticed and Darren shook him rudely awake.
‘It sounds like the enemy encampment is under attack.’
‘Excellent, so the balloon’s gone up,’ said Bill.
The sky was alight with tracer bullets and the muffled sound of RPGs being fired. The concussive gunfire attack went on for more than an hour and then they saw the bright flames flaring skywards into the night. The encampment had been torched and it was more than another hour before gunfire ceased completely, indicating the attack was over.
Bill learned later that with use of NVGs and the element of surprise, the SAS and Gurkhas had routed the encampment in excellent fashion. It also later transpired fifty per cent of the 428 Raider Battalion troops had been killed or seriously injured and the remainder had fled into the jungle. Whilst the camp burned brightly, the Gurkhas quickly mopped up the affray with their famous Kukries to finish off the wounded, as prisoners couldn’t be taken. Since stealth was no longer required the attacking group trudged back to the waiting river craft. The allies had only sustained a few casualties, who were temporarily attended to by medics when they got to the other side of the river before being evacuated to Kuching by helicopter. There were no fatalities that were both a blessing and a triumph; it could so easily have been a different story.
At the first opportunity, once back on their own side of the border, the lead Senior NCO radioed the CO to inform him the cross-border raid had been a success and provided a full situation report. Forty minutes later an RAF Whirlwind helicopter descended to a ready-made LZ to recover the casualties. The rest of the crew would make their way back to Kuching on foot over the next few days, since there was still some search and destroy along the way to complete in the mission.
Bill and his team were confident they had done their job comprehensively and would remain on location to continue monitoring the situation for any possible movement of what was left of 428 Raider Battalion. They would also keep careful watch for any further Indonesian reinforcements that might be on the way. There was no way of knowing if or when news of the defeat had filtered back to the Indonesians headquarters.
