"Operation Granite" by Royal Australian Engineers
in Sabah 1964-1966
In the early day of the formation of Federation of Malaysia,
Sabah was exposed to many great challenges such as, a violent conflict of
Brunei Revolt in 1962, confrontation with Indonesia from 1963 to 1966 and
Philippines pressing claim of Sabah being the lost kingdom of the Sulu
Sultanate. The rebellion and armed conflict took the British by surprise and
their first priority to assure the security of the young nation. Major General
Walter Walker was appointed the first overall Director of Operations of a joint
command structure to co-operate the Army, Air Force and Navy that was
established in Brunei. General Walker increased the defence line by
constructing secure bases and forts at the border of Sarawak and Sabah from
Kalimantan. Walker also built new airstrip and landing points at designated
locations to ferry troops and supplies to the border. The British campaign
includes the winning of the hearts and minds of various indigenous groups of
Borneo apart from intelligence gathering to avoid the element of surprise by
the enemy.
The British and Malaysian government sent request to both
Australia and New Zealand asking for military assistance. On the 17 April 1964
, the Australian government announced it will deploy the 7th Field Squadron of
the Royal Australian Engineers (RAE) to East Malaysia, Sabah while other
elements like Royal Australian Air Force, Royal Australian Regiment, Royal
Australian Artillery, Light Anti Aircraft Battery and Special Air Service
Regiment will be stationed at other parts of Malaysia."Operation Granite"
began in mid 1964 when Sukarno Confrontation had become more serious with
frequent attacks and cross border raids until end of 1966 with RAE 1st and 7th
Field Squadrons and 21st, 22nd and 24th Construction Squadrons taking part a
challenging operation in the interior of Sabah to build more than 120 Kilometre
of road from Keningau to Sepulot, an airstrip in Kuamut and Sepulot near
Pensiangan of which an important military bases and vital to the entire
confrontation campaign defending British and Gurkhas troops inclusive North
Borneo Armed Police Constabulary, Police Field Force and boarder scouts at the
border with Kalimantan.
The RAE also received an operational instructions for
"Keningau Defend Plan" with the cooperation of District Police in
case the enemy had been sighted and established an early aircraft warning
system directed to unidentified aircraft flying within the vicinity. The RAE
also will bear fire to the enemy intending to infiltrate the squadron.
Major General Walker told Major Cross the Commanding Officer
of the 7th Field Squadron that he wanted the road from Keningau to Sepulot to
be completed in 15 month that actually required four to five years for the
project to be completed particularly to the standard required. The RAE were not
only concerned about their task but at risk being ambushed by the Indonesians,
tropical diseases, menacing weathers of tropical monsoons of which bogged down
their vehicles and heavy equipments in mud.
After six months the 7th Field
Squadron was replaced by the 1st Field Squadron and every six month intervals
was replaced by the 21st, 22nd and 24 Construction Squadron respectively. The
RAE continues the heart and minds campaign with providing education facility
for the children of the Interior, the medical officers frequent visit to the
Kampongs on civil aid programme and the soldiers would hand out sweets and
chocolates to the children. The RAE standing by our young nation throughout the
difficult period and making available their troops to defend Sabah. The RAE contribution,
sacrifices, their efforts, sweat and tears for the people of the interior will
always be remembered and cherish forever.. Lest We Forget.. this short story a
tribute to all RAE..
Special thanks to Mr Tomasz Tom Ciesniewski and wife
Connie Lupang who are in town visiting Sabah from Australia..
Source : picture from the book titled "Keningau"
(Heritage and Legacy in the interior residence) by Abednigo Chow
This short
story edited and compiled by Kumis Kumis
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