N.Z. TROOPS IN MALAYA

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27874, 24 January 1956, Page 13

N.Z. TROOPS IN MALAYA

First Operation In Jungle

(N.Z. Press Association —Copyright)

(Rec. 8 p.m.) NORTHERN MALAYA, Jan. 24. In small twq and three-man patrols, the troopers of New Zealand’s Special Air Service Squadron were today fanning out in thick jungle country in a hunt for one of Malaya’s most desperate Communist bandit gangs.

The men arrived yesterday at a secret rendezvous to begin their first jungle operation after a briefing on their task by a veteran British officer, Colonel G. H. Lee.’

They are heading for the tangled deep jungle country where most of the bandits have been holding out, in spite of the intense efforts to bring them to battle and destroy them. Ahead of the patrols, Maori scouts slipped through the almost trackless jungle in the half light, filtering through the tall trees and the tangled undergrowth. The men must carry rations and ammunition for 14 days as the presence of aircraft to supply them would give away their positions to the bandits. The New Zealanders, in an effort to close the net on their elusive quarry, have been set the task of combing a large area, gathering intelligence on bandit movements and questioning the shy jungle aborigines. This job, which will keep them in the jungle for more than a month, is rated a far tougher task than the ordinary infantry operation, generally conducted on jungle fringes after information about bandit movements has been received. Radio Link

The only contact with the outside world will be the radio link with Kuala Lumpur. It may be weeks before any details of the New Zealanders’ mission can be released. All information they gather must be filtered by security men. WiSh the jungle squads are surrendered terrorists, who will question the locals and assist in cross-examining any suspects. Long lines of aborigine porters will also be helping in carrying the gear.