Deep Behind Enemy Lines, page 33
In the morning, during breakfast, Bill received a phone call from Major Birtwhistle instructing them to report to him in an adjacent meeting room the next day, Monday 9th March at 1400 hours. They, of course, complied with this order and on arrival, the morning greetings were voiced all round.
‘First of all, my congratulations on a job well done at Long Bawan. The Indonesians eventually received a well-deserved bloody nose, delivered courtesy of the Gurkhas of 1/2 Gurkha Battalion. I requested you join me here in Labuan, as there is currently a lull in enemy activity whilst negotiations have been taking place in Tokyo with Sukarno in an attempt to solve the conflict by diplomatic means.
However, it appears they failed to agree terms whereupon Sukarno has vowed to crush Malaya like an irritant fly. So, until hostilities recommence, I have work for you here whilst we wait and see when and where the Indonesians start-up their next incursions. We need to be ultra-vigilant in that regard.’
‘What form of assistance can we provide you with whilst we’re here,’ Bill was interested to know.
‘I’d like your assistance to work on a twenty-four-hour shift basis in our radio room, monitoring Indonesian radio frequencies to ascertain planned actions and movements, together with information on the military units involved, plus any other useful intelligence information that can be gleaned.’
‘Very good, Sir. We three have historically monitored Russian and other international radio broadcast networks so I guess we should be able to offer you some constructive results.’
‘That’s fine, Mr Scraggs. If you make your way to the radio monitoring room, I’ll call ahead to my lead Warrant Officer there. He will go through what he requires you to undertake.’
‘Yes, Sir.’ The three Royal Signals Reconnaissance men headed off in that direction.
The Warrant Officer in charge who introduced himself met them. ‘Good morning, gentlemen, I’m Warrant Officer Phil Blake, Army Intelligence Corps. And you are?’
‘I’m Warrant Officer Bill Scraggs and these are Sergeants Seth Stevens and Darren Newell.’ Each nodded their heads in acknowledgement. ‘I believe you already know we’re a Royal Signals Global Wireless team seconded to the UKFO Global Wireless Services Reconnaissance Unit.’
‘Yes, Major Birtwhistle has just brought me up to speed. I understand you’re going to assist us for a few weeks.’
‘Yes, that’s right.’
‘Our job here is the monitoring of global radio networks twenty-four- seven, including Indonesian airwaves traffic. I suggest you agree an acceptable roster for your team, inclusive of weekend coverage. We transcribe all monitored information that is passed to me at the end of each shift. I evaluate the results and pass them to Major Birtwhistle for any related action required.’
‘We usually work up at the sharp-end, so this will be a pleasant sojourn from our norm,’ Bill said. He was thinking that he and his men didn’t usually pen-push nor normally get to enjoy the benefits of creature comforts these guys enjoyed.
Phil Blake took them on a tour of the radio facilities and the Larkspur receivers they would be using albeit the three were quite familiar with the equipment. After some related Q and A and on completion, Bill told Phil they would see him to catch up over a couple of beers in the mess lounge and brief him on the Rota detail they had agreed.
‘Good,’ replied Phil ‘See you all in the bar after supper.’ And on that note, they left the radio room and headed for the bar.
The three sat in the lounge with their drinks, chatting until supper was served. After they’d finished eating they retired to the lounge where Phil Blake joined them.
‘All settled in your quarters OK?’
‘Yep, all good,’ responded Bill and his two companions nodded in agreement.
‘Excellent. I’m sure after jungle operations you’ll appreciate the creature comforts here for however long you’ll be with us. Did you manage to agree your shift roster? If you let me have the list of duties you’ve agreed between you I’ll discuss it with my boys and post it on the bulletin board.’
‘Yep, all agreed. I must admit, it’ll be a welcome change to get back into radio monitoring duties. If it’s OK with you, I’ll let you have a copy of our proposed roster in the morning. I’ll be the first to take shift duty at 0900 hours.’
‘That’ll be fine. Now, I’m really interested to hear what you’ve been up to over the last couple of months to understand how you guys function?’
Bill thought it was a bit cheeky of this Warrant Officer wanting to put his nose into their sensitive operational affairs. He was sure the FO would be none too pleased about it, even though Blake was a member of the Intelligence Corps. He decided to give him a very potted version leaving out any classified detail and spent the next couple of hours discoursing on their journey through covert reconnaissance duties, concentrating his narrative on the Kenyan Shifta war.
For the next three weeks they spent a very enjoyable time in very comfortable surroundings, working rostered shifts over the period and securing a significant quantity of information about the Indonesian military machine, along with the continual propaganda flow from Jakarta. At the end of their stint in radio security operations, they said farewell to Warrant Officer Phil Blake and thanked him for his introduction and guidance to the monitoring equipment and the procedures used. They also thanked Major Birtwhistle with whom they would more than likely be in communication again shortly regarding their next assignment.
Chapter 56
The flight back to HQ Kuching airfield on Tuesday 31st March was turbulent due to the latest heavy monsoon precipitation. However, the aircraft weathered it and they landed safely.
As usual, they dealt with their equipment over at the secure store and then made their way to the WO’s and Sergeants quarters where they got ready for the evening meal, after which headed for another satisfying night’s sleep.
McBride called Bill the next morning and instructed the team to join him in the meeting room at 0930 hours and when they arrived, morning greetings were exchanged.
‘First of all, I congratulate you on your unscheduled work for Major Birtwhistle at Labuan HQ. He tells me you carried out your duties very efficiently. Also, my congratulations on a job well done at Long Bawan occasioning the Indonesians’ defeat by Gurkhas of 1/2 Gurkha Battalion. I am also pleased to note this time your cover wasn’t compromised, unlike the unfortunate situation at Tebedu.
Nice! Praise on the one hand and veiled criticism on the other, all in one breath from our supercilious and conceited pen-pushing captain. Certainly not the caliber of officer I would want to go into battle with. This is definitely not someone I could trust. Nor indeed, my type of compatriot, thought Bill.
Three faces remained steadfastly impassive.
‘Well, Sir, to address that issue, taking a leaf out of Tennyson’s Charge of the Light Brigade, “Ours was not to reason why, ours was but to do our level best or die. And that’s exactly what my team and I achieved. Thus, we lived to reconnoiter and survey another day which I, for one, am thankful to say,’ replied Bill with an equal edge of sarcasm, turning to look at his two men with a got that one in smirk on his face.
‘Yes, Mr Scraggs I hear you. As I said earlier, congratulations are most definitely in order.’ He had obviously realised too late he’d said the wrong thing.
Captain McBride recovered his composure by moving to the large map on the wall and pointing to it. ‘The intelligence we’re receiving from our border scouts reveals cross-border violations by the enemy seem to be aimed specifically towards the HQ Garrison here at Kuching.’
‘So, it looks like our reconnaissance missions and support are likely to be somewhere in the Division One region?’
The captain continued. ‘That’s right gentlemen. And since this is the most probable scenario, Major Birtwhistle has ordered a covert surveillance operation both north and south of Pasar Serikin, which is some 45 miles due south of Kuching and sits virtually on the border with Kalimantan. Intelligence in situ suggests the presence of large elements of the Indonesian 328 Raider Battalion.
‘Also, most recently, 2/10 Gurkha Rifles engaged units of the Black Cobra Battalion near Biawak with successful results. You’re therefore to travel to Pasar Serikin to undertake surveillance on activities and movements of what appears to be a build-up of significant Indonesian military units.’
‘So, you see further incursions in that general area?’
The captain nodded grimly.
‘Understood, Sir. When do you anticipate us leaving? We’d appreciate a little time to attend to our personal chores if possible.’
‘I think four days should be sufficient for your needs. The enemy won’t hang around, so I suggest you move out this Sunday, 5th April. Meantime, I’ll arrange all the necessary logistics, and we’ll meet back here the day after tomorrow at 1500 hours. It will give me sufficient time to finalize all details.’
‘Well, Rome took longer than four days to build and I’m sure the enemy will honour our personal needs and hold fire for a few extra days,’ replied Bill, cheekily. All joking aside Sir, your orders are noted and will be duly carried out.’ The meeting concluded, all three saluted and left the captain’s office.
Walking back to the mess Seth commented, ‘There were certainly sparks flying around on both sides of the desk in there. Not a mutual admiration society eh? That aside, we’ve a job to do and he knows we’re quite capable of doing it. They like to keep the pressure on us so it’ll be good to get some R&R in a few weeks’ time.’
‘I second that,’ chipped in Darren.
‘I can’t see that happening before late May or early June and would only be for about three or four weeks, if we’re lucky, then back here for more frontline duties,’ remarked Bill.
‘Do you think that’s reasonable, Skipper?’
‘It’s called exigencies of the service,’ Bill pointed out with a chortle. ‘Anyhow, enough of that for the moment. Let’s concentrate on getting to the bar for a few cold whets.’
Immediately after breakfast the following morning the team moved to a quieter part of the mess to discuss their program going forward.
‘OK guys we use today to attend to our personal chores and get in some well-earned relaxation for a few hours. For myself, I intend to do a run and loosen up some muscles. I’ve been sitting on my rear end for far too long.’
‘By the way, Skipper, we haven’t seen anything of Tuki since we arrived back,’ Darren pointed out.
‘Probably in the border scouts’ accommodation where I guess he’s likewise attending to his own stand-down chores. Tomorrow morning Darren, you locate him and bring him here to join in our forward planning. Seth, you can go across to the administration office and see if you can dig-up an ordnance survey map, and possibly a more relevant and accurate local terrain map of the region we can refer to during our discussions.’
‘What time do you want me to collect Tuki?’
‘Let’s say 0930 hours. You be here at the same time Seth. We’ll action it in the mess visitors’ room.’
The two went off to undertake their chores and Bill retired to his room to write a letter to Mo, whom he was missing dreadfully. He’d already written several lengthy letters with updates of the current situation but had been unable to receive any replies not having been in a static location. However, he intended putting that right when they eventually got some leave back to Singapore. He also took the time to write to his mother and sister whilst he had the chance.
‘Now, I’m off for the run I promised myself and I’m really going to feel this one,’ and pulled on his shorts and running shoes.
When he got back from a six-mile hammering he was both exhausted and exhilarated. It’d been too long since the last one! He drank three pints of water and then showered off, and after dressing he leisurely strolled over to the mess lounge to read the latest newspapers and a new novel he’d purchased in the small camp SSAFA shop.
When they’d broken their fast next morning, Seth and Darren went off to follow instructions, whilst Bill made himself comfortable in an easy chair in the visitors’ room and enjoyed a second cup of coffee. Thirty minutes later with their tasks completed, Seth, Darren and Tuki joined him. It was obvious Tuki was delighted to be back in the fold.
‘Now we’re all together again, let’s discuss what we can about the upcoming project. We don’t have all the details as yet, but they will become apparent this afternoon after our meeting with McBride.’
‘I guess this is going to be a project with a month’s timeline allotted to it,’ commented Seth.
‘At this point that’s probably a fair assessment. Although as I said, we’ll know more later today. Bill looked at Tuki. ‘What’s your knowledge like of the region in and around Pasar Serikin?’
‘I know it like the back of my hand Sir. It’s home territory for me so I know most of the villages in the general area. No problem with that.’
‘That’s music to my ears Tuki and provides me with a level of operational comfort having a professional guide, tracker and translator as part of our team for this operation. It’s good to have you back on board.’
‘I appreciate your confidence in me, Sir.’
‘So, what pre-operational jobs are we going to be involved in prior to our departure on Sunday, Skipper?’
‘Well, as usual I’d like a stock check of our equipment carried out and to make sure that what we decide to take with us is ready, in good working order and fit for purpose. You two guys will do that after we finish here and I’m going to go over related points with Tuki on the OS and terrain maps. Tuki you’ll join us in the meeting with Captain McBride.’
‘Yes, Sir, will do.’
At 1500 hours the four of them gathered at the captain’s office. Miss Soo welcomed them back again and knocked on the captain’s door whilst ushering them in.
‘Good afternoon, Sir. Surveillance team present for your operational instructions to be expedited at Pasar Serikin,’ announced Bill, formally.
‘Good afternoon, team. I’m delighted to see Tuki here with you also. It’s his home territory so he’ll be a great asset. Do take a seat at the conference table,’ and he pointed them to comfortable seating and opened discussions.
‘OK, I’ve dealt with the logistics. A Royal Navy Wessex helicopter has been tasked from HMS Bulwark to rope you and your equipment into a small clearing at Pasar Serikin. There’s a village long house that Tuki should be able to negotiate the use of with the village chief’s permission. A few ringgits should do the job.’ He looked at Tuki who nodded. ‘You should be able to operate covert reconnaissance patrols in the region from there. Any questions so far?’
‘Yes, Sir, how close are we from the border at that location?’
‘About two miles.’
‘Are you recommending we conduct foot patrols in the area,’ asked Darren.
‘Correct, with Tuki providing scouting and interpreter support as necessary.’ The captain again looked towards Tuki who nodded.
‘This is a rove and reconnoiter mission with a sweep of areas northwest of Pasar Serikin towards Jalang Kampong Stass and then areas east of Pasar Serikin, a duration of around two weeks each.’
Bill confirmed the locations on both his local terrain and OS maps.
‘Overall, give or take a day or so, I estimate in the order of a one month operation in the field. Your use of the long house will be purely temporary. You should also note there are SAS and Gurkha patrols in the general region and they will be alerted to your presence. We will follow the same procedure for radio communications, using radio backpacks and secure frequencies with operational and emergency channel usage for daily sitreps to me, for re transmission to Major Birtwhistle.
‘Right, Sir. Are we to assume that the SAS and Gurkha security forces will have channel twelve, the emergency channel open, in case of need? And lastly, what’s the manning-up procedure and schedule?’
‘I’ll certainly confirm availability of the emergency channel with the security force commander. Also, the Wessex will be ready for departure on Sunday at 0830 hours. You’re to embark at the end of the runway outside the task office. Are there any further questions?’
‘Thinking about the logistics of this assignment, it might be a good idea to take another loyal and trusted armed Murut border scout with us to watch over the equipment remaining in the long house during the periods we’re on patrol. Clearly, nothing of a security or sensitive nature will be left behind. Mostly personal effects, back up rations, a Larkspur mobile radio for communicating with us or any other non-valuables or non-FOC stores. Do you agree Sir? And if so, perhaps you could recommend a suitable individual?’
‘I agree. Good thinking. I’ll speak to OC local security forces to nominate a suitable candidate and let you know his name shortly.
‘Then nothing more from me, Sir. How about you?’ Bill turned and addressed his two subordinates.
‘Could you expand on the activity in the area both past and possibly any more recently Sir?’ Asked Seth.
‘There has been nothing notable recently. However, intelligence feedback from local scouts indicates cross-border forays into Division One by the Indonesians, which must be anticipated at any time. We know they have HQ Kuching a target as previously mentioned and would certainly be a major military and political accomplishment for them at this time. Hence the reason for your undeniable expertise along this stretch of the border. Also, being aware I am stating the obvious when I say I am certain you’re familiar with the Group HQ order not to penetrate beyond the border line into Kalimantan and that the political significance of this isn’t lost to you,’ emphasized the captain.
