Beyond the call of duty

The other episode worth mentioning  and sharing with you all is the incident in Ops NONOK, also in Sarawak. I had posted this incident preciously in this blog, so I will not repeat the incident. But to refresh the incident, during our deployment into the area called Kg Nonok, near Kuching to support the PFF in their Search and Destroy Ops, our FOO party was led by Major Hashim (Retired). The PFF platoon was ambushed and Major Hashim had called for immediate close fire support. Despite the ambush area was only about 6 Km from the gun position, we had problems with the Fire Orders net.

The two signalers with the FOO party found out that the PRC radio rod aerial was shot off. No comms on the VHF fire orders net. The only alternative was to go on to the HF Bty net. But the 931 HF rod aerial was not effective to establish comms. One of the signalers, ran out under enemy fire to lay out a ground aerial. He pulled the aerial to it maximum length. The FOO party managed to establish erratic comms over the Bty net due to the atmospheric conditions at that time and also perhaps effects of signal dead ground. The fire mission was effective and saved the PFF platoon and our FOO party from the enemy ambush.

I regret that I do not remember the brave Gunners names. They had performed beyond the call of duty. But I do remember recommending the whole FOO party to be awarded and recognized as commendable actions under enemy fire.

But again I do not recall if anyone from the incident was awarded. Perhaps Major Hashim got a KPK medal? The PFF platoon showed their gratitude by kissing the Guns when they visited our gun position.

Yes our guns are our real heroes. Are they not?

I admire and salute our FOO party and in particular our signalers. I suppose it is enough and it is a blessing that we did suffer any casualties during the incident.

Read the episode here:
http://sheldrake-gunnersclub.blogspot.com/2012/05/hello-29-this-is-2c-relay-drop-800-over.html

Take care

Allen Lai