"Take That"
The Royal Navy in Malaya

As the campaign dragged on from year to year, one factor of importance that eased the Security Forces’ task was that the Communist terrorists received only a handful of arms and ammunition from outside sources. Red China’s Communists were unable to help Chin Peng in his attempt to bring Malaya into the Communist fold. The other reason that so few arms got through into the country, was due to the constant patrols and blockades exerted by the Royal Navy’s coastal patrols, backed up by the patrolling of coastal waters by aircraft from the RAF’s Far East Flying Boat Wing. These forces maintained the territorial detachment of Malaya from the outside world, because a series of random searches at sea would serve as a powerful deterrent to any would be gunrunners.

The Royal Navy’s part in ensuring that the 'Malay Races Liberation Army' received little value by sea, was taken for granted by the Malay people and the land forces. On certain occasions, the Royal Navy ships abandoned their silent role, and steamed in, to give fire support to the Army and Marines. HMS Amethyst steamed 30 miles up the Perak River to bombard Communist hideouts. HMS Defender carried out a coastal bombardment on the Johore coast, following which she steamed up the Johore River for nine miles, to remind any hostile watchers of the Royal Navy presence. The Colony class cruiser, HMS Newfoundland, plastered Communist camps in Kedah with her 6-inch guns. 1953 saw the welcome arrival of 848 Squadron, Royal Naval Air Service.

These helicopters gave a much needed flexibility to the ground force operations.  The helicopters changed the infantry units’ mode of operating, in a remarkable manner when they took the place of vehicle transport, which had been confined to roads, and tracks. The helicopters spelt the death knell, of many Communists lurking in their distant jungle hideouts. Some of the ‘forts’, established in the Aborigines' territory, could never have been set up without helicopters, which after flying in men, followed up with the stores necessary to construct the airstrips for use by light, fixed-wing aircraft. The 848 Naval Air Squadron's, motto (Acip Hoc) 'Take That', was formed in response to the Army's call for heavy-lift helicopters. Sikorsky-built Whirlwinds were ordered for the Royal Navy and were delivered during 1952, and used to equip the newly reformed 848 Squadron. The Squadron, was commissioned on October 29,1952, and by the New Year had embarked in HMS Perseus for Singapore. After a brief work up at RNAS Sembawang, (later to become HMS Simbang, and Headquarters of the 3rd Commando Brigade RM), the Squadron moved to Kuala Lumpur and Kluang, with operations starting right away. The workload was constant, and hazardous, and the skill of the aircrew and pilots impressed everyone.

By December 1956, after four years of operations in tropical conditions, 848 Squadron was withdrawn, having lifted over 41,000 troops, and 370,000 kg. of stores.

'Jolly Jack Tar' was also put into the firing line, sent from HMS Terror, the Naval Base Singapore, for escort duties on the Singapore to Kuala Lumpur night train, given a 303 rifle, and bandolier of ammo, as the night train was very often attacked and derailed. Royal Marine ship's detachments often spent some time with their comrades of the Commandos, carrying out jungle patrols, whilst their ship, was undergoing refit in the dockyard at Singapore. Sailors often spent time with the various Commando units, and were often guaranteed a good run ashore after.

"The Navy, God bless 'em. They take us where we have to go, stand by us, and bring us back when the job is done."