Until now, one particular theatre of Australian and New Zealand active service lies almost forgotten in Australian Defence annals - that of our service in the Far East Strategic Reserve (1948-71). This remains the longest unbroken operational defence commitment by Australian and New Zealand armed forces in the history of both nations.

 

In 1955, Australia committed forces to the Far Eastern Strategic Reserve (FESR) in response to a request from the British government for assistance protecting Malaya against the insurgency of Communist terrorists.

There were two particularly hostile periods, the Malayan Emergency (1955-60), and Borneo Indonesian Confrontation (1962-66), with a number of disturbances scattered through the 22 years.

Nearly 30,000 service personnel from the RAN, RNZN, RAAF, RNZAF, Australian and New Zealand armies discharged active service in the reserve, many with multiple tours...MORE

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