Rudyard Kipling"
āWhen you're left wounded on Afganistan's plains and
the women come out to cut up what remains, Just roll to your rifle
and blow out your brains,
And go to your God like a soldierā
General Douglas MacArthur"
āWe are not retreating. We are advancing in another direction.ā
āIt is fatal to enter any war without the will to win it.ā āOld soldiers never die; they just fade away.
āThe soldier, above all other people, prays for peace, for he must suffer and be the deepest wounds and scars of war.ā
āMay God have mercy upon my enemies, because I won't .ā āThe object of war is not to die for your country but to make the other bastard die for his.
āNobody ever defended, there is only attack and attack and attack some more.
āIt is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived.
The Soldier stood and faced God
Which must always come to pass
He hoped his shoes were shining
Just as bright as his brass
"Step forward you Soldier,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My Church have you been true?"
"No, Lord, I guess I ain't
Because those of us who carry guns
Can't always be a saint."
I've had to work on Sundays
And at times my talk was tough,
And sometimes I've been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough.
But, I never took a penny
That wasn't mine to keep.
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep,
The Soldier squared his shoulders and said
And I never passed a cry for help
Though at times I shook with fear,
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.
I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fears.
If you've a place for me here,
Lord, It needn't be so grand,
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't, I'll understand."
There was silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod
As the Soldier waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.
"Step forward now, you Soldier,
You've borne your burden well.
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell."
By John Brenchley (Son of 19034875 ā Sgt. E.J. BRENCHLEY 4TH Hussars)
Who, when serving in Malaya at the end of 1948, can say that they did not hear of the 4th Hussars ambush on the 31st December 1948. From Kedah in the north to Jahore in the south. Ripples radiated out from Sungei Siput.
Many books on the Malaya Emergency have been written, some with the detail of the 4 Troop A Squadron included, some without it. I think it deserves its own place in history. My version of events is as followsā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦
On the 31st December 1948, 4 Troop A Squadron 4th Hussars, was sent on a short patrol from Ipoh, north about 20 miles to Sungei Siput and then on up to check out two other roads. The Lintong road and the Jalong road, both ending in dead ends. These roads were about 8 to 10 miles long and passed through a couple of rubber plantations with small villages (kampongs) along the way. The main aim of these and many other patrols was to show the flag to the locals and also show a military presence.
The convoy consisted of the two G.M.C.ās and a 15 cwt open backed truck. Only 19 men went on patrol that day due to sickness and other duties. There were 7 men in the front G.M.C commanded by Lt Questier. In the 15 cwt there were 5 men and the last G.M.C under command of 2 Lt Sutro, consisted of another 7 men. Each vehicle carried a bren gun, and troopers carried small arms of sten guns and rifles.
Grenades were also carried in each vehicle. The last G.M.C also carried a 2-inch mortar. This was not used in the ambush because of the close proximity of the bandits. Lt Questier carried his fathers nickel plated 45 revolver, of the First World War vintage. All troops were dressed in ājungle greensā with the exception of 2 Lt Sutro, who was still in khaki, as has yet to be kitted out in ājungle greensā. He had only arrived in Malaya on the 20th December 1948. Each vehicle was also equipped with a 19 wireless set. But the range was very limited on the rod aerial, about 10 miles. So a skywave aerial was usually used on most patrols. This consisted of about 15yards of copper wire, which could be attached to the top of a tree or a long pole. Continued here.....
My apologies, extracted when I started blogging. History disappears, just wanted to preserve it. I am in Malaysia, here they negate history forgetting the sacrifices of all who fought the Commies. I will remove this post if it offends you still. Thank you.
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