656 squadron RNAS Sembawang page 3

1911 FLIGHT

DETACHMENTS

PONTIAN

MERSING

1911 Flight carried out many short term detachments in the South Johore area. Sometimes they would consist of just one Auster aircraft, a pilot and a ground engineer. Alternatively there were detachments which required several aircraft and attendant personnel. At these times there were few opportunities to take photographs, however I have included a few taken at Pontian and Mersing.

Pontian is a small village located about 35 miles North of Singapore on the Malaysian Peninsular. A rough landing strip was located next to the large reservoir which formed part of the Singapore water supply. Overlooking the reservoir is the 2000 feet high Gunong Pulai on which was located a small isolated signals unit. A small group of terrorists had been reported in the area and 1911 flight aircraft were tasked to assist Army ground forces.

The landing strip and a temperature
of 115 degrees in the sun!

Early morning ablutions watched by curious local village children.

The signals unit personnel enjoyed our low fly pass over Gunong Pulai.

Bob Docwra (RAF)

Myself and local village children

Ron Anderson (Army)

Mersing is a small coastal town located on the East coast of Malaya about 80 air miles from Singapore. The small grass landing strip there was used by 1911 flight during operations against small isolated groups of terrorists along the East coast area. A large convoy of armed vehicles carried personnel and stores by road to Mersing. The main road was little more than a country lane and was ideal in places for terrorist ambushes which had been carried out quite frequently.

The MT transport is checked out

With a scout car in the lead the convoy lines up

The first aircraft flies over the strip

The last one touches down

Two of the four secured for the night

Accommodation is organised

The "Bar" is soon open for those not on guard duties.

A crocodile hunt was organised ------but the only one seen was this 6 footer just visible in the photo above.

Off duty and a football match was played against the local Mersing team

After the heat of the day a chat and a bottle of Anchor beer is in order

A fishing village on the Mersing river

East coast dawn