The struggle with Communist terrorists in Malaya known as The Emergency became a textbook example of
how to fight a guerrilla war, based on political as much as military means. This
book deals with both the campaign fought by British, Commonwealth and other
security forces in Malaya against Communist insurgents, between 1948 and 1960,
and also the security action in North Borneo during the period of Confrontation
with Indonesia from 1962 to 1966. Both campaigns provided invaluable experience
in the development of anti-guerrilla tactics, and are relevant to the conduct of
similar actions which have been fought against insurgent elements since then.
The book written with the full co-operation of various departments of the UK
Ministry of Defence contains material that until recently remained
classified.
This is the first full study to cover the role of airpower in these
conflicts. It will be of relevance to students at military colleges, and those
studying military history, as well as having a more general appeal, particularly
to those servicemen and women who were involved in both
campaigns.
