Battle of Semur River

Last updated

Battle of Semur River
Part of the Malayan Emergency
Date25 March 1950
Location
Result

Communist victory

  • Malayan Police victory (counterattack)
  • 29 communists were killed when a retaliatory attack was launched by the Malayan Police
Belligerents

Flag of the United Kingdom.svg British Empire

Flag of the Malayan National Liberation Army.svg Malayan National Liberation Army
Commanders and leaders
Flag of Malaysia.svg Lt. Hassan Bin Yassin 
Flag of Malaysia.svg Cpl. Jamaludin Mohamad
Flag of Malaysia.svg Sgt. Wan Yaacob
Flag of the Malayan National Liberation Army.svg Unknown
Units involved
Flag of Malaya.svg Malay Regiment
Royal Malaysian Police.svg Malayan Police
unknown
Strength
25 soldiers
16 SC officers
40 [1] -250 fighters
Casualties and losses
17 killed
2 wounded
29 killed

Battle of Semur River (Malay : Pertempuran Di Sungai Semur) was an armed encounter which took place on 25 March 1950 between the Malay Regiment and the gunmens of Malayan Communist Party during the Malayan Emergency. Seventeen soldiers of the Malay Regiment, from 12th Platoon of Delta Company were killed by the rebels, and eight wounded. Twenty-nine communist insurgents were also killed by the Malayan soldiers.

Contents

Chronology

In early March 1950, the Delta Company, 3rd Battalion of Malay Regiment stationed in Pengkalan Chepa, Kelantan was deployed to a "search and destroy" mission near Gua Musang, Hulu Kelantan. Base of the company were as follows:

On 23 March 1950, 0730 hours, 12th Platoon, D Company with a strength of 25 members led by Second Lieutenant Hassan Bin Yassin, Corporal Jamaludin Bin Mohamad, four Lance Corporals and 19 soldiers assigned to patrol at Nenggiri river for three days. The platoon was also followed by 16 Malay Special Constables were given the assignment to scout 18 Chinese from Pulai village to an area a few hours walk to collect nipa roofs. On Thursday, 23 March, they left Pulai village. After the Chinese had reached their destination the Malay platoon trekked on, leaving behind the 16 Special Constables with the roof-gathers. The platoon camped that night deep in the jungle and the 16 Special Constables stayed with the Chinese.

At 9.15 am on Saturday morning, the officer-in-charge, a Second Lieutenant Hassan told the Sergeant Wan Yaacob who led the Special Constables that the platoon was going back to Pulai, however the roof-gathers had not yet finished their job. So, the Lieutenant instructed the Sergeant and his men to stay with the Chinese and lead his men to return to Pulai as soon as they had completed their job.

An hour and a half later the Malay platoon suddenly came under heavy attack from gunmens of the Malayan National Liberation Army (MNLA) on the south bank of the Semur river from shallow trenches prepared along the opposite bank. The platoon commander, 2nd Lieutenant Hassan and several his comrades were killed in the first fusillade. Then, Corporal Jamaludin took command of 12th Platoon, directing the fire of the remnants of the platoon. He ordered a counter-attack by firing mortar 2 inches, however it was hampered by a large quantity of bamboo trees that covered the area. After releasing two rounds of mortar shells, the mortar section members were killed. Cpl Jamaludin and some other members who may seek refuge in cozying up to the cliff threw a grenade towards the enemy, but failed because they were also fired from the opposite bank and in an enclosed, very difficult to move and take positions to counter-attack. In the battle intensifying the few members of the communist cozying up to the position of the Malay Regiment members were injured and killed is to confiscate their weapons, but was blocked. At one point, four of the communists who tried to approach them from behind were shot dead by the Private Abdul Wahab Bin Hamid. The MNLA stopped firing. Calls to the platoon to surrender were answered with hails of bullets and several gunmens who attempt to close in on Malay soldiers were shot dead. But after fighting for four hours and ran out of bullets, remnants of the survivors were surrounded and captured. This is the first time in the history of the security forces had been captured by communist guerrillas.

They were taken to the enemy camp and forced to hand over their equipment. After two hours in custody, and given lectures indoctrination and warned not to oppose against the communists, they were unexpectedly released. Cpl Jamaludin and its members sent to the Pengkalan Pulai before being abandoned halfway. Members of the survivors were:

  1. Corporal Jamalludin bin Mohamad
  2. Lance Corporal Mohamad bin Othman
  3. Private Zamzuri Itam Bin Sudin
  4. Private Nordin Bin Md Isa
  5. Private Hussin Bin Mamat
  6. Private Salleh Bin Nahu
  7. Private Ahmad Bin Mat Jam
  8. Private Manaf Bin Mohd Shariff
  9. Private Osman Bin Yaacob (died shortly after they arrived in Base Pulai about 2100 hours).

Two others were seriously injured members, Private Abdul Wahab Bin Hamid and Private Rashid Hassan had to be abandoned on the battlefield together 14 more bodies of those killed. This is because they are no longer able to walk and will delay the movement to return to base to get help. The reinforcement, 11th Platoon of Malay Regiment and the Police Jungle Squad, along with Cpl. Jamaludin arrived on 27 March 1950, at 10 am to rescue them.

In total, 17 soldiers of 12th Platoon, 3rd Regiment were killed, against the enemies who estimated 40 peoples. Another six were seriously injured and slightly injured two members. What is remarkable though is that the members of Platoon 12 were outnumbered but were still able to provide stiff resistance and managed to kill 29 insurgents. The bodies were found by making a Platoon 11 near the ambush. It is believed many more injuries because there was a lot of blood in the paths they retreated down. The enemy strength was estimated at 250 during the event based on the size of the fort that was built by them.

Reinforcements from Special Constables

During the attack, Sergeant Wan Yaacob heard the gunfiring and he knew that the Malay platoon was in under attacked. He told the Chinese to stay where they were and he led his men to the place where the gunfiring came from.

Sergeant Wan Yaacob and his 15 Special Constables hasted towards the sound of battle and split into two groups. Seven SCs came under fire and suffered casualties while attempt to cross the river. The Sergeant and the remainder, scouting round the flank of the communist positions on the north bank, spotted a communist Bren gunner and shot him dead, but then, on seeing that the platoon was being finally overwhelmed. [2]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of Mount Longdon</span> 1982 Falklands War conflict

The Battle of Mount Longdon was a battle fought between the British 3rd Battalion, Parachute Regiment and elements of the Argentine 7th Infantry Regiment on 11–12 June 1982, towards the end of the Falklands War. It was one of three engagements in a Brigade-size operation that night, along with the Battle of Mount Harriet and the Battle of Two Sisters. A mixture of hand-to-hand fighting and ranged combat resulted in the British occupying this key position around the Argentine garrison at Port Stanley. The battle ended in a British victory.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal Malay Regiment</span> Military unit

The Royal Malay Regiment is the premier unit of the Malaysian Army's two infantry regiments. At its largest, the Malay Regiment comprised 27 battalions. At present, three battalions are parachute trained and form part of the Malaysian Army Rapid Deployment Force. Another battalion has been converted into a mechanised infantry battalion while the remaining battalions are standard light infantry. The 1st Battalion Royal Malay Regiment acts as the ceremonial foot guards battalion for the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, and is usually accompanied by the Central Band of the Royal Malay Regiment. As its name suggests, the regiment only recruits ethnic Malays.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal Ranger Regiment</span> Military unit

The Royal Ranger Regiment is an infantry regiment of the Malaysian Army. Although it is second in seniority to the Royal Malay Regiment, the RRD can trace its origins back to the mid 19th century and the establishment of The Sarawak Rangers, the peacekeeping force in the Sarawak region. This force was absorbed by the Sarawak Constabulary in 1932, but the name was revived in 1941 as a British Colonial unit; this unit commanded by British Lieutenant Colonel C.M. Lane was captured by the Japanese in 1942.

The Star of the Commander of Valour is a medal awarded by the Malaysian government. The award was established on 29 July 1960, and it was formally gazetted by an act of parliament on 11 August 1960. It is Malaysia's second highest gallantry award, coming in second only to the Grand Knight of Valour.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rejimen Askar Wataniah</span> Military unit

The Rejimen Askar Wataniah is the military reserve force of the Malaysian Army.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bukit Kepong incident</span> Malayan Emergency

Bukit Kepong incident was an armed encounter in 1950 during the Malayan Emergency between the Federation of Malaya Police and the guerrillas of the Malayan National Liberation Army (MNLA), the armed wing of the Malayan Communist Party (MCP). This conflict took place in an area surrounding the Bukit Kepong police station in Bukit Kepong. The wooden station was located on the river banks of the Muar River, about 59 km from Muar town, Johor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal Intelligence Corps</span> Military unit

Royal Intelligence Corps is a Malaysian intelligence agency specialising in intelligence gathering, intelligence analysis, psychological warfare, surveillance, espionage, reconnaissance and counter-intelligence operations. It also manages the propaganda and counter-propaganda effort of the Malaysian Army.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Senoi Praaq</span> Unit of the Royal Malaysian Police

The Senoi Praaq is a unit of the Royal Malaysia Police made up almost entirely of the tribal people of Peninsular Malaysia known as the Orang Asli (aborigines). The name Senoi Praaq means war people or those who fight in the Semai language. Roy Davis Linville Jumper considered them one of the finest jungle fighting forces and was highly successful in diminishing the threat by communist forces during the Malayan Emergency.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gerak Khas (Malaysian Army unit)</span> Special forces regiment of the Malaysian Army

Gerak Khas, or Grup Gerak Khas, also spelled Gerakhas, is a Malaysian Army special forces unit that performs special operations missions such as direct action, unconventional warfare, sabotage, counter-terrorism, and intelligence gathering. Gerak Khas was founded in 1965 during the Indonesia-Malaysia conflict, and they gained worldwide fame and recognition after successfully pacifying the communist insurgency in Malaysia's jungles between 1968 and 1989.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">British Forces casualties in Afghanistan since 2001</span> List of British casualties in Afghanistan since 2001

The United Kingdom was one of the first countries to take part in Operation Enduring Freedom against the Taliban regime in autumn 2001.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Temenggor Lake</span> Reservoir in Perak, Peninsular Malaysia

Temenggor Lake is a lake in Hulu Perak District, Perak, Malaysia. It is the second largest lake in Peninsular Malaysia after Kenyir Lake in Hulu Terengganu District, Terengganu. This man-made lake is located south of 1,533 m high Ulu Titi Basah peak. It was created after the construction of Temenggor Dam to generate electric power. The lake is located about 45 km from the Hulu Perak district capital, Gerik. There is a man-made island, Banding Island and Lake Temenggor Bridge on the East-West Highway which crosses the lake.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kesatuan Melayu Muda</span> 1938–1945 Malayan left-wing nationalist organisation

Kesatuan Melayu Muda (KMM) was the first leftist and national political establishment in British Malaya. Founded by Ibrahim Yaacob and Ishak Haji Muhammad, KMM grew into a prominent pre-war nationalist movement, notable for its leftist political stance and willingness to use violence, a sharp break with their contemporaries in the Malay nationalist movement.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Military history of Malaysia</span>

Malaysia's armed forces, which encompasses three major branches, originate from the formation of local military forces in the first half of the 20th century, during British colonial rule of Malaya and Singapore prior to Malaya's independence in 1957. The branches have undergone several restructuring, but fundamentally includes the army, navy and air force.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">General Operations Force</span> Malaysian paramilitary unit

The General Operations Force is the light infantry arm of the Royal Malaysia Police. The General Operations Force was established in 1948 during the Malayan Emergency by the British Administration when Malaya was a colony. The police service was mobilised to the field role, primarily to engaging Communist guerrillas during the emerging Insurgency. When Malaysia was formed in 1963, this law enforcement unit was then known as the Police Field Force. The title was adopted when it dropped the previous handle widely referred to as the Jungle Squad.

Counter-terrorism in Malaysia is a series of measures implemented in Malaysia to detect and prevent terrorism as well as to minimise damages from such terrorist acts should they occur. These measures involve all levels of security services including military, police, border and infrastructure security, civil defence, medical readiness and psychological preparedness. Malaysia also participates actively in international counter-terrorism efforts. The Internal Security Act 1960 (repealed 2012, replaced with Security Offences Act 2012 was enacted to prevent terrorism in Malaysia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Southern Rhodesian military involvement in the Malayan Emergency</span>

Southern Rhodesia, then a self-governing colony of the United Kingdom, sent two military units to fight with the Commonwealth armed forces in the Malayan Emergency of 1948–60, which pitted the Commonwealth against the Malayan National Liberation Army (MNLA), the military arm of the Malayan Communist Party. For two years, starting in March 1951, white Southern Rhodesian volunteers made up "C" Squadron of the Special Air Service (SAS). The Rhodesian African Rifles, in which black rank-and-filers and warrant officers were led by white officers, then served in Malaya from 1956 to 1958.

This article lists important figures and events in the public affairs of British Malaya during the year 1942, together with births and deaths of prominent Malayans. Malaya was occupied by Japanese forces at this time.

<i>Bukit Kepong</i> (film) 1981 Malaysian action and patriotic film

Bukit Kepong is a 1981 Malaysian Malay-language action war film produced and directed by Jins Shamsuddin starring himself, A. Rahim and Hussein Abu Hassan. The film was based on the Bukit Kepong incident in 1950. The film has won eight awards in the third Malaysia Film Festival in 1982, including Best Film.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">8th Battalion (Parachute), Royal Ranger Regiment</span> Military unit

The 8th Battalion (Parachute), Royal Ranger Regiment (Malay: Batalion ke-8 Rejimen Renjer Diraja (Para)), better known as the 8 RRD or 8 RRD (Para) – abbreviation from its local name, is a battalion-sized airborne infantry from the Royal Ranger Regiment of the Malaysian Army. On 10 October 1994 the 8 RRD became part of the 10th Parachute Brigade. The 8 RRD is the first infantry unit in the Malaysian Army transformed from a conventional to an airborne unit.

The 9th Battalion (Parachute), Royal Malay Regiment (Malay: Batalion ke-9, Rejimen Askar Melayu Diraja (Payung Terjun)), abbreviated 9 RAMD (Para) from its local name, is a battalion-sized airborne infantry unit of the Malaysian Army's Royal Malay Regiment. Since 10 October 1994, 9 RAMD has been a part of the 10th Parachute Brigade.

References

  1. Abdul Lajis, Syairah (25 November 2013). "Peristiwa Berdarah Di Sungai Semur". Sinar Harian (in Malay). Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  2. John Scurr (1982). The Malayan Campaign 1948–60. Bloomsbury USA. ISBN   978-0-85045-476-5.