‘Indonesian Confrontation 1964-1965’ (*1)

The operations always retained a high level of secrecy. When 3 RAR arrived it had to patrol on the Malaysian side of the border for a mandatory period of one month before it could begin Claret Operations.

The incursions into mainland Malaysia in the latter half of 1964 brought Indonesia and Malaysia (with its British and Australian allies) close to war, and in September some British planners talking of conducting sea and air strikes against Indonesian bases. Instead. Walker was authorised to conduct operations up to 5000 yards (4570 metres) across the Indonesian border. The strictest secrecy was observed and the 'Claret' operations, as they were known, were aimed at ambushing Indonesian troops and supply parties as they moved towards the border. By the end of the year Walker had eighteen British battalions (including eight Gurkha and two Royal Marine Commandos) and three Malay battalions in Borneo. Also at the end of the year he was given permission to extend his operations up to 10 000 yards (9140 metres) across the border. 

• The 'Golden Rules' for Claret operations were as follows:
  • Every operation to be authorised by DOBOPS [Walker]. 
  • Only trained and tested troops to be used. 
  • Depth of penetration to be limited and the attacks must only be made to thwart offensive action by the enemy. 
  • No operation which required close air support-except in an extreme emergency-must be undertaken. 
  • Every operation must be planned with the aid of a sand-table and thoroughly rehearsed for at least two weeks.
  •  Each operation to be planned and executed with maximum security. 
  • Every man taking part must be sworn to secrecy, full cover plans must be made and the operations to be given code-names and never discussed in detail on telephone or radio. 
  • Identity discs must be left behind before departure and no traces-such as cartridge cases, paper, ration packs, etc-must be left in Kalimantan. 
  • On no account must any soldier taking part be captured by the enemy-alive or dead.

These rules were later eased, but the operations always retained a high level of secrecy. When 3 RAR arrived it had to patrol on the Malaysian side of the border for a mandatory period of one month before it could begin Claret operations.

and 590 Indonesian troops were killed. 
During the Communists' armed struggle (1965-1973), 190 communists wre killed in Indonesia and 340 in Sarawak.