Deep Behind Enemy Lines, page 32
‘Good morning, Mr Scraggs.’
‘Good morning Sir, what are your orders for us?’
‘For your information, 2/2 Gurkha Rifles, supported by the SAS, have been engaging the enemy on the border with Kalimantan close to Long Medan. Attacks on the enemy fortified positions have been fierce with fire-fights, mortars and ambushes.’
Bill was struck by how similar this was to the Chindits’ long-range patrolling against the Japanese in the Chin Hills in 1943 and down on the Chindwin River during the Burma Campaign of World War Two.
‘We believe here at central intelligence, that because of the information we have about an Indonesian build up in Long Bawan, it would be advantageous to our intelligence information if we arrange to rope you in by helicopter well beyond the invaders’ estimated camp location. We understand there’s a large contingent of Indonesian troops camped at Long Bawan.’
‘We’re well prepared to get cracking on this assignment,’ pointed out Bill.
‘They’re definitely up to something. Possibly getting ready for a large incursion into the fifth division. If so, counter measures must be put in place, preferably on their side of the border, to push them back. However, because of the sensitivity and necessary special permission in accordance with the rules of engagement for any Sandstone operation, we need much more information. This is where you guys come into play again.’
‘So, how would you like us to proceed Sir?’
‘Tomorrow I will arrange for an Army Air Corps Westland Scout helicopter to collect and rope in the three of you deep behind the enemy lines of Long Bawan, an estimated six miles from the Indonesian encampment. The Scout will have an airpower winch for lowering and raising you and this will be a daytime operation. At the end of this call please let me have the grid reference of your LZ.
The maximum payload for the Scout is such that there can only be three of you transported with equipment. The ETA will be 1200 hours and the pilot will make contact on radio secure channel 16. The plan is to recover you, except for emergencies, forty-eight hours after arrival. Any questions?’
‘No, that’s quite clear. I’ll radio both yourself and Major Birtwhistle as necessary.’ He gave the captain their grid reference for the Scout pilot and Bill cleared down the call.
‘OK, guys. As a result of the call we need an urgent O-group to discuss forward plans.’ A brew of tea was quickly made and the four men sat down crossed legged on the floor.
‘In view of the captain’s comments and recommendations, it seems we are limited to three operatives on this mission. I want Tuki in the forward monitoring team for his local knowledge of the terrain and, of course, in the event we need translation with the locals.
That said, which one of you two will volunteer to stay behind here for the forty-eight hours we’ll be away?’
Seth and Darren looked at each other, frowning, and then Darren spoke up. ‘I’ll stay behind and guard our base on this one.’
‘Thanks for that Darren. You’re still playing an important role in the missions,’ Bill assured Darren, who nodded.
‘OK now, down to the nitty gritties. Rucksack Bergen’s will carry everything and contain only essentials for a forty-eight-hour mission. Priorities are H2S side arm each, Sten gun, HP Binoculars, NVG’s, local grid reference map, radios fully charged, hooded flashlight, spare radio, small amount of dry compo, filled water bottles, ponchos, mosquito repellent, sufficient ammunition to repel borders, full jungle camouflage including helmets, face and hand blackening. Clean fatigues with Kevlar body armour will, of course, be worn.’ Bill concluded the comprehensive list and they spent the rest of the day preparing for the next.
Chapter 54
On the day of the surveillance trip to Long Bawan the team busied themselves getting their equipment ready, checked off and packed into the rucksack Bergen’s. The AAC Scout Helicopter was due to collect them at 1200 hours so, with an hour to go, they double checked to make sure they had everything they needed and nothing they didn’t. A call came in on the secure channel.
‘Hello, Vulture here,’ Bill answered.
‘Hi, Vulture, this is your Scout pilot. We’ll be with you on schedule so please be ready and waiting at your chopper site. We’ll hover about thirty feet above the LZ and rope you aboard. Please acknowledge.’
‘We’re ready for you,’ Bill replied and switched the radio to standby.
‘OK Darren, stay alert and keep your radio on the secure channel, but silent at all times, in the event we need to contact you urgently.’
‘No problem Skipper. Good hunting and safe journey.’
‘Cheers. And make sure you leave the local girls alone’ quipped Seth with a saucy grin on his face.
‘Some chance, I don’t think.’
‘Keep your head down and good luck while we’re away,’ countered Tuki.
The three set off for the LZ clearing to be ready for the arrival of the Scout helicopter.
They shortly heard the thwapping of the rotor blades as the chopper approached and hovered above the adjacent tree line. The AAC crewman lowered the rope and Tuki, together with his kit, was the first to be roped up, followed by Seth and lastly Bill. They placed their rucksack Bergen’s on the floor, settled onto the passenger bench, fastened their seat belts and donned the intercom headsets handed to them by the crewman. ‘All secure, let’s go.’
With increased engine pitch, the Scout ascended to its operational cruising altitude and headed to the Kalimantan border. After some twenty minutes the captain informed Bill they’d shortly be over the LZ, about six miles from the estimated location of the enemy camp. The aircraft went into hover mode at forty feet and the three operatives were roped down into a small clearing. When they were gathered together Bill gave the pilot thumbs up and the Scout lifted skywards, disappearing from view beyond the tree top canopy.
They were surrounded by dense primary jungle. They hefted their rucksack Bergen’s and commenced the trek. Using his compass, Bill took a line off his map to where he thought the enemy camp was sited. After thirty minutes they made a stop and Bill spoke to Tuki.
‘Go ahead and carefully look to see if you can get a sight-line on the enemy location but watch yourself, there’s bound to be guards posted. Seth and I will rest and wait for you here. Hopefully, you’ll bear encouraging news.’
‘OK Sir. I’ll do my best,’ he said confidently and Tuki set off with compass in hand, following tracks in a northerly direction.
It was very humid and had started to rain. ‘We’re in for a wet reconnaissance trip. Ponchos on, I think,’ Bill said to Seth.
Three hours later, after cutting a trail through the undergrowth, Tuki returned. ‘Sorry it took so long Sir. The jungle is very dense, but the good news is I’ve located the enemy camp. About three hundred yards from their location is covered rocky, high ground rising to between eighty and one hundred feet, which will give us a good panoramic view of all the Indonesians’ activities. It’ll take us a good two hours to reach it,’ explained Tuki.
‘Good man. Take a rest then you can lead us there. Hopefully we’ll reach our destination just before dark.’
‘I think we can manage that, Sir.’
Having given Tuki time to rest, they set out. After a good hour the sun was beginning to set and, with the shade created by the high tree top canopy their visibility was reducing.
As they reached the base of the high ground, total silence was maintained since they were very close to the enemy encampment. With the aid of weak light from the moon they ascended the fairly steep climb and settled in on a spot Tuki had picked out which would give a clear view and line of sight in the better morning light. It was now imperative to observe maximum silence, radios would remain on whisper mode and most food would be eaten cold. This last to avoid fires and cooking smells. The rain had eased and they managed to settle down for a few hours sleep albeit rather uncomfortably.
They were woken early to the myriad noises of the jungle wildlife all around them and the Indonesians bellowing to one another in the distance.
Bill whispered, ‘OK guys, can’t offer haute cuisine but let’s get breakfast out of the way.’
They were well camouflaged having blackened their hands and faces and the daylight now enabled a good view of the enemy camp below. ‘Pass me a set of HP binoculars with reflective filters, I need to take a closer look at what’s going on down there,’ whispered Bill.
Focusing, he was able to observe a considerable number of accommodation billets, mortar and rocket emplacements, general equipment, support ancillaries and many Indonesian soldiers milling around. Bill took his local ordnance survey map out and meticulously pinpointed the enemy’s exact position coordinates.
‘Tuki, get down beside me and see if you can identify which Indonesian military unit it is down there, and an approximate man-count.’
Tuki squatted beside Bill and after about ten minutes quietly said, ‘from what I can see there appears to be a mix of Indonesian Regular Black Cobra troops and Indonesian paratroopers. Looking at the considerable size of the camp, I’d estimate around one hundred men,’ he replied.
‘That information will certainly help our intelligence people to formulate counter measures. Take a look, Seth.’
‘It certainly looks as though they’re preparing for some serious action. Possibly getting the rocket and mortar ammunition ready for an aerial assault,’ said Seth.
Bill and Tuki took another look at the activity in the camp below and agreed with Seth’s assessment. Bill decided to immediately notify both Captain McBride and Major Birtwhistle of impending action by the Indonesian force at Long Bawan.
Using the more powerful HF radio 100 which they’d brought with them as well as the VHF P225, Bill using the secure operational channel opened a call.
‘Morning, Vulture. Something important happening down there?’ asked Major Birtwhistle.
‘Yes Sir. It looks like the Indonesian gunners are about to launch an aerial bombardment, probably on our forward unit between Bario and Nantakor. I think it’s important you inform the assault teams to standby. We’ve only about ten hours left before we’re recovered to our base in Bakelalan and I’m shortly about to request recovery with an ETD later this evening.
On our return I’ll give you a full sitrep of the situation at Long Bawan Garrison. If authorised, a military counter action can be mounted by 1/2 Gurkha Rifles who I understand are based at the unit near Nantakor,’ said Bill.
‘Very good, Vulture. We’ll look forward to your updated sitrep when you get back to Bakelalan.’
Shortly after, McBride called Bill.
‘This is Vulture,’ Bill responded.
‘Acknowledged. The Scout will recover you from your drop location at 1800 hours. There should be sufficient daylight to ensure successful recovery and the pilot will radio you when closing on the LZ point. Make sure you are all ready and waiting.’
‘Wilco, over and out,’ replied Bill. ‘OK, team, let’s have a quick bite to eat and make ready to return to the chopper pick up point where we need to be by 1730 hours at the latest.’
They checked thoroughly they’d left no tell-tale signs of their presence and then set off on the two-hour trek back to the recovery point with Tuki leading. The going this time was easier as the rain had stopped, and they arrived back at the rendezvous just as the chopper arrived and hovered overhead.
The team were roped out one by one and the Scout headed back to the LZ clearing at Bakelalan where, after thanking the pilot, they were roped back down onto the jungle floor and gave the pilot the thumbs up.
Darren, who had heard the chopper approaching, made his way quickly to the clearing and met them grinning cheerfully. ‘Good “run ashore” Skipper?’
‘Well, we got plenty of intelligence information for our masters, which I must pass on as a matter of urgency. It’s a big set-up the Indonesians have across there and they are actively looking for trouble right now.’
They all returned to the long house and Bill put through an immediate conference call to Major Birtwhistle and Captain McBride.
‘Good day, gentlemen, Vulture reporting in.’
‘Good day, Vulture. We assume you’re all back at your base. What’s the update on the situation at Long Bawan,’ asked the Intelligence Corps Major.
‘OK, important information is as follows. Indonesian Jungle Garrison is occupied by around one hundred of what appear to be a mixed battalion of regular Black Cobra troops and Indonesian paratroopers.’
Whilst Bill was speaking there was the sudden dull thump of rockets and mortars being fired in the distance from the Indonesian encampment.
‘It sounds like the enemy have started their aerial bombardment, presumably at our military camp near Bario,’ announced Bill.
‘If that’s the case we’ll hear very shortly. We have in excess of one hundred Gurkhas at our base there. OK Mr Scraggs, now tell us the exact location of the Long Bawan Garrison. I’ll pass that along to DOBOPS for permission to engage with an immediate retaliatory offensive by the local commander of the 1/2 Gurkhas and his artillery support unit.’
Bill advised the two officers of the pinpointed coordinates required which would be passed to the OC of the combined forces at Bario. He also apprised them of other relevant data.
Permission was given, and a massive barrage of aerial firepower was laid-down on the Long Bawan Indonesian Garrison, followed by an attacking force of more than a hundred Gurkhas of 1/2 Gurkha Battalion. Later intelligence confirmed 60% of the Indonesian garrison had been killed in the action and the area abandoned by the survivors. This was Saturday 7th March.
Chapter 55
The following morning Bill sat down with his team to review their current status.
‘It seems our work is finished here. I’ll talk to McBride about our recovery unless there’s further surveillance work for us in this region, or perhaps in the First Division.’ He paused, waiting for response from his two men.
‘OK, Skipper,’ said Seth, and Darren nodded.
‘Good.’ Bill picked up his radio and called McBride.
‘No more information to report Sir. I’m just calling to ask when can we expect to be recovered as our assignment seems to be completed here at Long Bawan?’
‘There would appear to be a pause in the incursions pro tem, so I have therefore agreed that you be repatriated to Labuan Island and assist Major Birtwhistle and his team in reviewing enemy intelligence work for a few weeks, or until Indonesian incursions recommence. You all have sufficient experience with these assignments and Tuki can, for the time being return here to Kuching as a passenger on the first returning flight. However, he’ll remain available to you for further missions in Division One. I’ll arrange to recover you to HQ Labuan within the next twenty-four to forty-eight hours, pending further assignments for you.
‘Very good, Sir, we await further information regarding a travel itinerary.’
‘I’ll revert to you shortly,’ the captain said and terminated the call.
‘OK guys, it looks like we can take some chill-out time and undertake personal tidying-up ready for recovery sometime in the next forty-eight hours.’ He explained McBride’s instructions and his orders regarding Tuki.
Tuki grinned. ‘I’ll look forward eagerly to the next assignment with you guy’s,’ he replied.
‘What assistance do you think likely with Major Birtwhistle’s team? asked Darren.
‘Probably mundane monitoring in support of the Intelligence Corps. I’ve no doubt we will be informed, he answered a little sarcastically. We’ll find out soon enough,’
‘At least we’ll be able to enjoy some relatively comfortable living when we get back to Labuan,’ quipped Darren.
‘It’ll certainly make a change before we have to return to the sharp-end,’ added Bill.
‘It’ll certainly be good to catch-up on some belated shut-eye’ commented Seth.
‘I second that, encored Darren with a laugh.
Bill grinned: Here we go again, another Bill and Ben moment!
‘You all deserve some time to yourselves. What say you get your heads down and I’ll give you a shake later?’
At 0930 hours the next day, Bill received the radio call informing him that an RAF Whirlwind helicopter would arrive at their LZ location at 1430 hours to transport them to Labuan. From there, Tuki would join other passengers on an RAF Twin Pioneer, departing for Kuching at 1730 hours. He acknowledged the call and told his team to stand by ready for departure.
After lunch, having tidied up the long house as much as was possible considering its age and circumstances, they ferried their equipment the short distance to the LZ. Job done they were ready and waiting for the transport. At 1415 hours Bill received a call from the Whirlwind pilot informing him fifteen minutes to touchdown. Bill acknowledged the call. At precisely 1430 hours the helicopter made its approach and landed.
‘OK guys let’s get the equipment on board,’ this didn’t take long with the despatcher/handler assisting them.
They landed at Labuan HQ airfield, thanked the crew, offloaded their equipment, located a suitable trolley and Bill gave his team instructions to wait whilst he found out where the WO’s and Sergeants Mess was located. The team said farewell to Tuki, the ground staff directed him to the waiting Twin Pioneer and the aircraft took off in somewhat windy conditions.
When the remaining three had deposited the equipment in the Intelligence Corps secure store, they made their way to their reserved accommodation in the WO’s and Sergeants’ Mess, got showered and freshened up ready for the evening meal which was thoroughly enjoyed. After a short chat about the last few days’ events and a few beers, they retired gratefully to a welcome night’s sleep in fan cooled rooms and comfortable beds.
