Wartime snapshot
In 2025, we mark the 75th anniversary of Australia's involvement in the Malayan Emergency. Thousands of Australian army, navy and air force personnel served in Malaya during the conflict. It was Australia's longest continuous military commitment of the 20th century.
Britain declared a state of emergency in Malaya in June 1948. Violence had escalated as communist guerrillas sought to overthrow the British colonial administration. Australia's involvement in the conflict began 2 years later.
The Menzies government deployed 2 squadrons of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) to Singapore in 1950. No 38 Squadron helped Commonwealth Forces with transport, supply, troop and leaflet drops. No 1 Squadron flew Lincoln bombers on aerial operations and took part in combined air-ground assaults.
The Australian Army maintained a presence in Malaya for 8 years. Three Royal Australian Regiment (RAR) battalions served in Malaya. The first Australian soldiers arrived in October 1955. They took part in anti-communist operations alongside British, New Zealand, Gurkha and Malay forces and local police. Their work included patrolling jungles and rubber plantations, guarding new settlements, and searching local workers to stop food and supplies from reaching insurgents.
Ships and crew from the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) contributed to the defence and development of the Federation of Malaya from 1955. During the conflict, 13 RAN vessels served in Malayan waters. Some vessels took part in shore bombardments of communist positions.
Australia also provided artillery and engineering support and an airfield construction squadron, which was lifted in July 1960. Australian troops remained in Malaya until August 1963 to help mop up.
During their service in the Malayan Emergency, 39 Australians died, and 27 were wounded.
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