dinomartino1
Well-Known Member
CAC RAAF Sabre Armament display Malaya
3 Squadron Ground Crew at RAAF Butterworth Malaya displaying Sabre Armament (Cannons, Missiles, Long-Range Tanks and Bombs)
Malayan emergency
3SQN RAAF first deployed to Malaysia [then called "Malaya"] in October 1958, in support of Malayan forces and other Commonwealth units in their conflict with the military arm of the Malayan Communist Party. The squadron flew the C.A.C.-manufactured Sabre. It began training for their roles in the strategic reserves, usually involving ground-attack missions on covert jungle-covered communist targets. The campaign was bolstered by Canberra bombers from 2SQN and more Sabre fighters from 77SQN.
Due to the absence of air threats in the conflict, 3SQN became primarily a ground attack squadron, targeting communist guerrilla infrastructure in support of the Malayan and Commonwealth troop presence on the ground. 3SQN carried out its first operation against communist guerrillas on 13 August 1959. In a joint bombing raid with 77SQN, six Sabres from each squadron took off with 500lb high-explosive bombs underwing, and destroyed three terrorist training camps. Despite perfect coordination and execution of the attack, the raid did not achieve the objectives hoped for. As one pilot described the target area after the attack:
"...several rubber trees were severely damaged and thousands of monkeys scared fartless."
3SQN and 77SQN conducted two more offensive strikes against terrorist camps in June 1960
3 Squadron Ground Crew at RAAF Butterworth Malaya displaying Sabre Armament (Cannons, Missiles, Long-Range Tanks and Bombs)
Malayan emergency
3SQN RAAF first deployed to Malaysia [then called "Malaya"] in October 1958, in support of Malayan forces and other Commonwealth units in their conflict with the military arm of the Malayan Communist Party. The squadron flew the C.A.C.-manufactured Sabre. It began training for their roles in the strategic reserves, usually involving ground-attack missions on covert jungle-covered communist targets. The campaign was bolstered by Canberra bombers from 2SQN and more Sabre fighters from 77SQN.
Due to the absence of air threats in the conflict, 3SQN became primarily a ground attack squadron, targeting communist guerrilla infrastructure in support of the Malayan and Commonwealth troop presence on the ground. 3SQN carried out its first operation against communist guerrillas on 13 August 1959. In a joint bombing raid with 77SQN, six Sabres from each squadron took off with 500lb high-explosive bombs underwing, and destroyed three terrorist training camps. Despite perfect coordination and execution of the attack, the raid did not achieve the objectives hoped for. As one pilot described the target area after the attack:
"...several rubber trees were severely damaged and thousands of monkeys scared fartless."
3SQN and 77SQN conducted two more offensive strikes against terrorist camps in June 1960
