Confrontation: The War with Indonesia 1962-1966

by Nick Van Der Bijl

For over four years in the 'Swinging Sixties' the armed forces of the UK were engaged in a little publicized but crucial jungle war against communist forces on the vast island of Borneo.

At any one time up to 50,000 troops (half of the Army's strength today) were deployed along a 1,000 mile front. Their enemy were the communist led Indonesians whose leaders were determined to seize the states of Sarawak, Sabah and the oil rich Brunei, all of whom for their part wished to maintain their Commonwealth links. The catalyst for the war was the 1962 uprising in Brunei which was quickly crushed by the intervention of British army units.

The arrival of Major General Walter Walker, himself a controversial figure, gave the subsequent campaign a clear direction. Indonesian incursions were rigorously defended and ruthlessly pursued. Top Secret 'Claret' operations took the fight to the enemy with cross border operations initially using Special Forces and later with Chindit-style long range patrols. The outcome was a text book military victory thus avoiding a British 'Vietnam' debacle.

Genres: History, War, Military History

240 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2007

Reviews

[Doubledf99.99 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book on war I knew nothing about. Book has plenty of good maps, photo's, and highly detailed in operations, units involved and the patrols they conducted.

[Khairul Hezry · Rating 2 out of 5]

Jarang-jarang sekali kita membaca mengenai perang Konfrantasi di antara Indonesia dan Malaysia. Mungkin, seperti disebut di dalam buku ini, ia adalah sebuah konflik di mana wartawan tidak diberi akses sepenuhnya berbeza dengan usaha Malaysia membenteras pengganas Komunis mahupun usaha Amerika Syarikat menghapuskan pengaruh komunis di Vietnam. Buku ini mencuba sedikit sebanyak untuk mengubah situasi itu.

Fokus buku ini lebih kepada insiden-insiden tembak menembak di medan pertempuran, maka jika tidak berminat membaca bagaimana skuad itu terserempak dengan platoon ini dan berapa perajurit mati atau cedera ini bukanlah buku untuk anda. Saya sendiri merasa bosan membaca bab demi bab pertempuran kerana ingin juga membaca mengenai sejarah politik era ini. Apa yang difikirkan Tunku Abdul Rahman dan Suharto. Walaupun ada tetapi majoritinya mengenai peperangan di dalam hutan.

[Barry Sierer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book does a thorough job of covering the British (and Commonwealth) side of the Confrontation with Indonesia. It is focused almost entirely on combat operations but also notes the logistical and rotational deployments of British and Commonwealth forces.

The author notes some of the more significant battles and patrols. Most of these were platoon size engagements in the jungle which escalated in 1964 as Indonesians ramped up their own forces and the British carried out “Claret” missions, which were raids into Indonesian territory.

Ultimately the British prevailed through superior intelligence, tactics, and political endurance. Indonesian forces fought fiercely but were wedded to a failing a strategy promoted by a government that was chronically unstable.

Highly recommended for those interested in military tactics; particularly jungle warfare.

[HD · Rating 5 out of 5]

Giving it 5 stars

The reasons are;

1. this book have everything ranging from comprehensive list of sources to historical background.
2. The author managed to present this book with minimum bias towards both side. Most of the books I've read before about this particular confrontation have a visible bias towards one of the parties involved).

The data gathered for the purpose of making this book is unmatched, I truly love how the seemingly unimportant event in Indonesia's history turned out to be multilayered.

[Terry Quirke · Rating 3 out of 5]

A concise, mainly military, coverage of a little known small scale war fought on Borneo between the Commonwealth (manly British) and Indonesian forces in the early 60's. The book provides some of the political side of the issues and resolution but mainly focuses on the small unit engagements that the defined the war. Interesting read about a little know conflict.

[Adrienna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative

[Ming · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy to read account but perhaps too focused on the infantry war in Borneo and not enough on the political background in Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei (there is basic coverage on Indonesia though).