By
Private Richard Scott
22264495.
Regular
soldier of the 1st Battalion Suffolk Regt.
| During
Operation Lemon October 1949 D Coy was stationed at Kuala Kubu Bahru, under
the command of 2nd Scots Guards. 12 platoon were on stand by. A report
came in of a bus being ambushed on the Bentong Road, this was in the late
afternoon. We were trucked to the ambush site. It was beginning to get
dark by the time we debused. We began walking down a small track following
tire marks in the soil. It soon became pitch black and you could not even
see the man in front of you. Every one was holding on to the pack straps
of the man in front so we would not loose touch. After walking for forty
minutes or so we became aware of the strong smell of burnt rubber, and
in front of the patrol we suddenly saw a glimmer of light, it was the last
remaining embers of the burnt out bus. |
 |
 |
The
bus had burnt completely. As it was so dark it was decided that not much
could be done until the next day, so we continued along the track and shortly
after sighting the bus came upon a deserted basher. It was decided to stay
there that night and return to the bus the next day. Early the next morning
the platoon searched around the bus looking for tracks. None could be found
leading into the jungle so it was assumed the bandit gang had used the
track we were already on. The track was followed into the hills, sometimes
there was a shear cliff on one side and a drop on the other of a few hundred
feet. The perfect place for an ambush. Every one was keyed up expecting
the worse. We spent nearly two weeks tracking this gang in some of the
worse country I had tramped over during the three years I spent in Malaya
but all to no avail. Eventually we were recalled to base. It wasn't long
after this event that Sir Henry Gurney was ambushed on the road up to Fraser
Hill, every one was of the opinion that this was the same gang we had been
chasing. |
This is
picture of myself and private Ross was taken during a patrol north of K.L
in the Batu Caves area. Nothing to report on that occasion. Perhaps that's
why we look so happy. That's me in the foreground of the picture.
Richard
Scott
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