"Operation Granite" - Royal Australian Engineers in Sabah 1964-1966

"Operation Granite" - 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 boarder of Sarawak and Sabah from Kalimantan. Walker also built new airstrip and landing points at designated locations to ferry troops and supplies to the boarder. 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