Of Commanders, command, control, responsibilities and such like

It would be clear cut if we were in the regiment, battalion or any formation. The chain of command and span of command are fixed within the command structure.

But what happens when an officer is part of a combination of different troops like in a convoy for movement (not maneuver)?

On ops in Sabah and Sarawak and also along the Malaysian Thai border, movement of troops are escorted to their destinations. Escorts were also required on all black roads in the country. Troops from armoured squardrons and regiments usually comprise Condors , APCs and Ferrets scoutcars.

In 1970 I was a Bty Comd with my BHQ in Bau, 20 miles SE of Kuching. All Movements on roads outside Kuching town need escorts. 3 Bde HQ was in Kuching and RASCOM (Rajang Area Security Command) was in SIBU.  All escorts were provided by the armoured squadrons stationed in Sibu, Bau, and Serian.

Escorts for Kuching/Bau/Kuching were scheduled twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening before last light. Timmings were never fixed. We had to ring up/ radio the armoured squardron stationed in Tasik Emas camp, Bau for escort timings each day. The size of the escorts differs with each task. Assembly area in Kuching was Camp Batu Tujuh.

One morning my Xray rover group came down to Kuching for Bde orders and was scheduled to return to my BHQ in Tasik Emas camp Bau with the returning escort in the afternoon. My joining the escorted convoy was late as we finished late with Bde HQ.

As I joined the convoy that evening, the escort commander reported to me that I was the most senior officer in the convoy, and requested orders to move out. Already in the group was an infantry platoon commanded by a 2Lt, and several three tonners on an admin run. The escort commander was a LT from the armoured squadron.

After setting up our internal Comms, I took up the second position from the front and we rolled out. There was a roundabout at Batu Lapan on the route to Bau. As the three tonners took the roundabout, several soldiers fell off the three tonner as the sideboard was not secured. Unfortunately mostly were hurt but one soldier died.

A board of  inquiry (BOI) was mandatory for every Incident of death. Presidents of BOI were mostly from DIV and Bde staff officers. I was called up in the BOI, being the most senior officer in the convoy even though the the casualties were from other units.

So we had vehicle commanders, convoy commander, escort commander,  a corporal in charged of the admin personnel, a platoon commander, artillery commander and the most senior officer in charged. Who was responsible for the death?

More importantly who would be in command should the convoy be ambushed? What would be the battle procedure? Anti MT ambush drills?

Needless to say every commander was called up. Did I get off the hook? You bet not. Responsibility and accountability come with the rank.

A big lesson learnt for me.

Allen Lai