The challenge faced by the British during the 1963-1966 confrontation was to guard about 2000 kilometres of border dividing North Kalimantan, Indonesia, and East Malaysia, consisting of Sabah and Sarawak. Air and naval forces guarded the Malaysian territories, but the real worry was the guerrilla insurgency activities. Also, Commonwealth nations such as Australia and New Zealand were initially hesitant about getting involved.
The Kalabakan incident in December 1963, however, seemed to change the tide of public and political opinion. The 1st Battalion of the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment (1 RNZIR) was formed in April 1964. Major-General Sir Walter Walker, director of operations in Borneo, also succeeded in convincing London to allow the deployment of SAS troops to repel the incursions.
Operation Claret saw the contribution of battalions from:
- The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
- The Durham Light Infantry
- The Green Jackets
- The Gordon Highlanders
- The Gurkha Rifles
- The King’s Own Scottish Borderers
- The Parachute Regiment
- The Royal Australian Regiment
- The Royal Hampshire Regiment
- The Royal Marines
- The Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment
- The Royal Ulster Rifles
Salina Christmas 