Rudyard Kipling"
“When you're left wounded on Afganistan's plains and
the women come out to cut up what remains, Just roll to your rifle
and blow out your brains,
And go to your God like a soldier”
General Douglas MacArthur"
“We are not retreating. We are advancing in another direction.”
“It is fatal to enter any war without the will to win it.” “Old soldiers never die; they just fade away.
“The soldier, above all other people, prays for peace, for he must suffer and be the deepest wounds and scars of war.”
“May God have mercy upon my enemies, because I won't .” “The object of war is not to die for your country but to make the other bastard die for his.
“Nobody ever defended, there is only attack and attack and attack some more.
“It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived.
The Soldier stood and faced God
Which must always come to pass
He hoped his shoes were shining
Just as bright as his brass
"Step forward you Soldier,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My Church have you been true?"
"No, Lord, I guess I ain't
Because those of us who carry guns
Can't always be a saint."
I've had to work on Sundays
And at times my talk was tough,
And sometimes I've been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough.
But, I never took a penny
That wasn't mine to keep.
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep,
The Soldier squared his shoulders and said
And I never passed a cry for help
Though at times I shook with fear,
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.
I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fears.
If you've a place for me here,
Lord, It needn't be so grand,
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't, I'll understand."
There was silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod
As the Soldier waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.
"Step forward now, you Soldier,
You've borne your burden well.
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell."
Kalabakan, the untold story..................................
Friday, April 20, 2007
Posed photo found on the body of an Indonesian Border Terrorist. The centre man seems to be making a political point, those on either side aim Lee Enfield rifles - an SMLE and a No.4. They seem to wear a motley mixture of British or Dutch and US uniform and webbing. The Clandestine Communist Organization and other individuals who had volunteered, been press ganged on the border, or even released from Indonesian jails, were formed into units called 'Pramukas' but these were often ill trained and poorly motivated. The Indonesians would eventually accept that Confrontation could only be pursued effectively by their regular troops.
Most new armies face problems and learn the lessons the hard way on first going into battle and the Malaysians were no exception. Those of them who served in the Royal Malay Regiment under British officers in the Malayan Emergency had experienced active service and some of these had made excellent NCOs. Now most of the British had left and their places taken by Malays, most of them young, inexperienced and enthusiastic. There was potential military talent in the Malaysian armed forces but with their sudden expansion this was inevitably spread thin.
Among signs of health in the Royal Malay Regiments battalions, which were quickly sent to Borneo, was pride and an eagerness to be given the positions of danger and honour. Thus, the 3rd Battalion went to Tawau, where threat from Indonesian regulars and the large Indonesian immigrant population was real, and the 5th went to the First Division, at the opposite end of the front, to join the Royal Marines defending Kuching.
The Malays showed some of the failings of young, inexperienced soldiers anywhere. The business of war seemed romantic, particularly now that they were defending what some of them regarded as their very own empire.. Their pride was reflected in their dress. The baggy jungle green denims and round, wavy-brimmed hats with which they were issued-clothing designed specifically for ease of movement and camouflage in the jungle- were not to their liking and they tailored their shirts to fit their chests, tapered their trousers and cut back the brims of their hats, binding the crowns with their regimental colors. They were fastidiously clean, using talcum powder and hair oil and totally disregarded Walker’s (General Sir Walter Walker-Director of Operations) instructions that soldiers in the jungle must live like animals. The Gurkhas said that they could smell the Malays toiletries a mile away. Continued here....
