The Malayan Emergency lasted from 1948 to 1960. During these tumultuous years, following so soon after the Japanese surrender at the end of the Second World War, the whole country was once more turned upside down and the lives of the people changed. The war against the Communist Party of Malaya's determined efforts to overthrow the Malayan government involved the whole population in one form or another. Dr Comber analyses the pivotal role of the Malayan Police's Special Branch, the government's supreme intelligence agency, in defeating the communist uprising and safeguarding the security of the country. He shows for the first time how the Special Branch was organised and how it worked in providing the security forces with political and operational intelligence. His book represents a major contribution to our understanding of the Emergency and will be of great interest to all students of Malay(si)a's recent history as well as counter-guerrilla operations. It can profitably be mined, too, to see what lessons can be learned for counterinsurgency operations in other parts of the world.

This is a hiqh quality reprint of the hihgly sought after 1958 (third) edition of the official manual issued by the Office of the Director of Operations, Federation of Malaya. Essential reading to all interested in how to achieve the widely acknowledged success of counterinsurgency operations during the Malaya Emergency of 1948 to 1960. PART ONE - General: CHAPTER 1 - Malaya. CHAPTER 2 - The CT-Origin and Development. CHAPTER 3 - Own Forces. CHAPTER 4 - The Emergency Regulations (ERs) and Methods of Searching. PART TWO - Operations: CHAPTER 5 - Platoon Organisation, Weapons and Equipment. CHAPTER 6 - The Jungle Base. CHAPTER 7 - Patrolling. CHAPTER 8 - Patrol Movement and Formation. CHAPTER 9 - Jungle Navigation. CHAPTER 10 - Immediate Action Drills. CHAPTER 11 - The Ambushing of CT. CHAPTER 12 - The Location and Attacking of CT in Camps and Cultivations. CHAPTER 13 - Movement by Road. CHAPTER 14 - Intelligence. CHAPTER 15 - Training for Operations. CHAPTER 16 - Wireless Communications in Malaya. CHAPTER 17 - Air Support in Malaya. CHAPTER 18 - Employment of The Royal Artillery in Anti-CT Operations. CHAPTER 19 - Handling of Aborigines by Security Forces. CHAPTER 20 - The Employment of Dogs on Operations and The Administration of War Dogs. CHAPTER 21 - Tracking. PART THREE - Administration. CHAPTER 22 - Operational Rations. Chapter 23 - First Aid and Preventive Medicine.

Contents: (1) The Rise of Islamist Militancy in Southeast Asia: Overview; The Rise of Al Qaeda in Southeast Asia; (2) The Jemaah Islamiya (JI) Network: History of JI; JI¿s Relationship to Al Qaeda; JI¿s Size and Structure; (3) Indonesia: Recent Events; The Bali Bombings and Other JI attacks in Indonesia; The Trial and Release of Baasyir; (4) The Philippines: Abu Sayyaf; The MILF; The Philippine Communist Party; (5) Thailand: Southern Insurgency; Current Government¿s Approach; Little Evidence of Transnational Elements; (6) Malaysia: Recent Events; A Muslim Voice of Moderation; Maritime Concerns; Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism in Malaysia; Terrorist Groups in Malaysia; Malaysia¿s Counter-Terrorism Efforts; (7) Singapore: U.S.-Singapore Coop.

This paper clearly shows the immediate relevancy of historical study to current events. One of the most common criticisms of the U.S. plan to invade Iraq in 2003 is that too few troops were used. The argument often fails to satisfy anyone for there is no standard against which to judge. A figure of 20 troops per 1000 of the local population is often mentioned as the standard, but as McGrath shows, that figure was arrived at with some questionable assumptions. By analyzing seven military operations from the last 100 years, he arrives at an average number of military forces per 1000 of the population that have been employed in what would generally be considered successful military campaigns. He also points out a variety of important factors affecting those numbers-from geography to local forces employed to supplement soldiers on the battlefield, to the use of contractors-among others.

The importance of regional cooperation is becoming more apparent as the world moves into the third decade of the 21st century. An Army of Influence is a thought-provoking analysis of the Australian Army's capacity to change, with a particular focus on the Asia-Pacific region. Written by highly regarded historians, strategists and practitioners, this book examines the Australian Army's influence abroad and the lessons it has learnt from its engagement across the Asia-Pacific region. It also explores the challenges facing the Australian Army in the future and provides principles to guide operational, administrative and modernisation planning. Containing full-colour maps and images, An Army of Influence will be of interest to both the wider defence community and general readers. It underscores the importance of maintaining an ongoing presence in the region and engages with history to address the issues facing the Army both now and into the future.