Victory in Segamat
In 1958 Mike
McConville,Malayan Civil Service, was Administrative Officer,
Segamat. Recently he came across a faded copy of the minutes he
recorded of the last meeting, on 16th.August 1958, of the Segamat
District War Executive Comittee and of the State War Executive
Committee that directed Operation Cobble which led to the
destruction of the whole Communist network in northern Johore.
These extracts from the minutes record the success of Operation
Cobble and pay tribute to all those who,over the years,
contributed to the defeat of a formidable enemy.
Extracts from Minutes
of the last SWEC/DWEC meeting in Segamat, 16th.August,1958
"Operation Cobble, a major
food denial operation, was mounted in January 1957, against the
Segamat Malayan Communist Party District, less Jementah area. At
various times, and for varying periods, the Operational Boundary
was extended to include new targets in Gemas Police District,
Labis Sub-District, Paloh, North of the Railway Line, and a broad
strip extending to the China Sea and including large parts of
Mersing and Pekan Districts. During the Operation 31 Communist
Terrorists were killed, 3 were captured and 98 surrendered, a
total which adds up to the entire elimination of the entire
strengths of the SMB, NJRC, JMBC*, Segamat MCP District, Selumpur
Branch, Bukit Siput Branch, Jementah Branch, Bakok MCP District,
Bekok Branch, No.7 Platoon, and assorted couriers, armourers etc,
to the last man and the last weapon. Among the surrenders were Ah
Chiew of the JMBC (at Mt.Ophir 4/12/57), Hor Lung of the SMB, the
senior terrorist in the field in Malaya (at Kampong Tengah
5/4/58) and Lee Tuan of the NJRC (in deep jungle 4/5/58). Total
Communist Terrorists eliminations in Segamat since the start of
the Emergency in 1948 have been:-
510 killed or 1 in every 13 killed in Malaya until 31/7/58
28 captured or 1 in every 51 captured in Malaya until 31/7/58
243 surrendered or 1 in every 9 surrendered in Malaya until
31/7/58
The last DWEC wishes to thank:-
(1) The early Official Members,
Civil, Military and Police, who by efficient planning and
energetic action laid the foundation compounded of sound
Resettlement, steady Operational progress, and co-operation with
those members of the public who were prepared to co-operate, on
which final success was built.
(2) The Unofficial Members of DWEC, particularly those who served
in the days when to do so was a hazardous occupation, who have
given sound advice, have put forward the point of view of the
people they represent, and have swayed public opinion to the side
of the Government.
(3) The Planters, whose fortitude in the dangerous years was an
essential factor in the maintenance of the Districts stability,
and whose co-operation in Food Denial in Operation Cobble
contributed materially to it's success.
(4) The Volunteer Auxiliary Policemen raised by 'Che Adam at the
beginning of the Emergency, who despite casualties, were directly
responsible for the destruction of a large number of C.Ts.
(5) The Home Guard of all races, who played their part in
defending the Kampongs and Villages and who have on a number of
occasions acquitted themselves admirably in action.
(6) The All Communities Liason Committee whose members, in their
own time and at their own expense, have worked tirelessly in
visiting every town, kampong, village and line-site in the Cobble
area, preaching the doctrine of co-operation with the Government
and encouraging resistance to Communism.
(7) Special Branch whose skill, ingenuity and patience provided
an indespensable element in all operations and to whom goes the
credit for most of the final surrenders.
And above all
The Operational Officers, N.C.Os and Men, Military and Police,
Malayan, British, Gurkha, Fijian and Rhodesian, who, in
conditions usually uncomfortable, sometimes dangerous, and often
both, scored many resounding victories, avenged their infrequent
reverses, and sustained the pressure that finally broke the
Communist Terrorist Organisation in the District.
*Communist
Cells:-
SMB=South Malaya Bureau
NJRC=North Johore Regional Committee
JMBC=Johore/Malacca Border Comittee