Hj. Zulheimy Ma'amor: MSF : FEDERATION RECONNAISSANCE REGIMENT (1962)

Source: Gemini Google

This image is a fascinating piece of history, showing the Malayan Special Force (specifically the Federation Reconnaissance Regiment, or Rejimen Peninjau Persekutuan) serving under the United Nations banner in the Congo Crisis.

Historical Context: The Congo Crisis (1960–1964)

After gaining independence from Belgium in 1960, the Republic of the Congo (now the DRC) fell into a violent civil war. The UN launched a peacekeeping mission called ONUC (Opération des Nations Unies au Congo).

Malaya (which became Malaysia in 1963) was one of the first Asian nations to contribute troops. This was a significant moment for the young nation, as it was their first major international deployment.

Analysis of the Photo

Location: The caption identifies this as Albertville (now known as Kalemie), a port city on Lake Tanganyika.
Date: August 31, 1962. This date is particularly symbolic because it was the 5th anniversary of Malaya's independence (Hari Merdeka). The troops were likely holding a parade to mark the occasion while on duty.
The Vehicles: The armored cars shown are Ferret Scout Cars. These were British-made, highly mobile vehicles perfect for reconnaissance and patrolling the difficult terrain of the Congo.
The Troops: The soldiers are wearing the characteristic uniforms of the Federation Reconnaissance Regiment. Their presence in Albertville was crucial for maintaining order and protecting civilians during a period of intense factional fighting in the Katanga region.

Malayan actress Normadiah and Hashimah Yon at Congo

Significance of the Mission

For the Federation Reconnaissance Regiment, this mission was a "baptism by fire." They earned a reputation for being highly disciplined and professional. By the time the Malayan contingent left the Congo in 1963, over 3,000 personnel had rotated through the mission.

THE MALAYAN SPECIAL FORCE

The Malayan Special Force (MSF) that served in the Congo from 1960 to 1963 was a unique "hybrid" force, blending light infantry with the mobility of the Federation Reconnaissance Regiment.

Because the mission was in its first major international deployment since independence, the equipment used was a mix of British-inherited hardware and iconic Cold War-era tools.

Key Equipment & Weaponry

The MSF had to be self-sufficient in a vast, rugged country. Their equipment was designed for reconnaissance, escorting UN convoys, and "showing the flag" to deter rebel activity.

Ferret Scout Car (Mk 2): As seen in your photo, this was the "star" of the Malayan contingent.

Role: High-speed reconnaissance and escort.
Armament: Usually equipped with a .30 caliber Browning machine gun in a one-man turret and smoke grenade launchers.
Why it was used: It was small enough to be airlifted by UN transport planes (like the C-119) and fast enough to outrun many of the threats in the Congo bush.

Alvis Saracen APC: While the Ferrets did the scouting, the Saracen armored personnel carriers provided the heavy lift for infantry, carrying up to 10 soldiers while protected from small arms fire.

Small Arms:

Lee-Enfield No. 4 Rifle: The standard-issue bolt-action rifle for many Malayan troops at the start of the mission.
Bren Light Machine Gun: A reliable, magazine-fed weapon used for squad-level fire support.
Sterling Submachine Gun: Often carried by vehicle crews (like those in the Ferrets) because of its compact size.

Transport: The mission relied heavily on Land Rovers (Series II) and 3-ton trucks for logistics.

History of the Federation Reconnaissance Regiment

The regiment that appears in your photo has a complex and prestigious lineage that is now part of the Malaysian Royal Armoured Corps (Kor Armor Diraja).

Origins (1952): It began as two separate units: the Federation Regiment (an infantry unit) and the Federation Armoured Car Regiment. These were formed during the Malayan Emergency to fight communist insurgents.
The 1960 Merger: Just months before the Congo mission, these two units were merged on January 1, 1960, to form the Federation Reconnaissance Corps. This new "Recce" regiment was multi-racial, reflecting the vision of the newly independent Malaya.
The Congo Legacy: The mission was their "Golden Age." The MSF was actually the 16th nation to join the UN mission. Their performance was so professional that three officers—Captain Maurice Lam, 2nd Lt. Neville Siebel, and Lt. Lee Ah Pow—were awarded the Pingat Gagah Berani (PGB), Malaysia's second-highest award for gallantry.
The "Royal" Title: Due to their distinguished service in the Congo and later during the Confrontation with Indonesia, the regiment was granted the title "Diraja" (Royal) in 1972.

The Malayan Special Force (MSF) deployment in the Congo was a massive undertaking for a young nation. Over three years, roughly 3,500 personnel rotated through the mission.

The force was structured as a brigade-level contingent that swapped out in several major "rotations." Here are the specific units and how they moved through the mission:

1. The Pioneer Contingent (Oct 1960 – July 1961)

The very first group to set sail from Port Swettenham (now Port Klang) was a compact, elite force of about 613 men.

4th Battalion, Royal Malay Regiment (4 RMR): Led by Lt. Col. Ungku Nazaruddin. They were the primary infantry component.
'C' Squadron, 2nd Reconnaissance Regiment: This was the unit pictured in your photo (using the Ferret Scout Cars). They provided the vital "eyes and ears" for the UN in the Eastern Congo.

2. The Expansion & Brigade Phase (1961 – 1962)

As the situation in the Congo worsened, the UN asked Malaya for more troops. The force was expanded into the Malayan Special Force Brigade, commanded by Brigadier General Abdul Hamid bin Bidin.

6th Battalion, Royal Malay Regiment (6 RMR): Arrived in April 1961 to reinforce the 4th Battalion.
'A' Squadron, 2nd Reconnaissance Regiment: They replaced 'C' Squadron in April 1961 and were famously stationed in Goma and Stanleyville (now Kisangani).
7th Battalion, Royal Malay Regiment (7 RMR): Joined the rotation to maintain the brigade's strength as earlier units prepared to return home.

3. The Final Rotations (1962 – 1963)

By the time the photo was taken in August 1962, the 2nd Reconnaissance Regiment was on its second full tour of duty.

2nd Battalion, Royal Malay Regiment (2 RMR): Took over infantry duties toward the end of the mission.

'B' Squadron, 2nd Reconnaissance Regiment: Also saw service during the later stages of the mission before the final withdrawal in April 1963.

Summary of Units Involved

Unit Type Specific Regiments/Battalions

Infantry 4th, 6th, 7th, and 2nd Battalions of the Royal Malay Regiment

Armour/Recce A, B, and C Squadrons of the 2nd Reconnaissance Regiment

Support Units the Malayan Signals, Service Corps, and Medical Corps

Why Albertville (Kalemie)?

The units mentioned above—specifically the 2nd Recce—were sent to Albertville because it was a strategic port on Lake Tanganyika. It was a "hot zone" near the secessionist state of Katanga. The Malayan troops were respected by both the UN and local factions because they were seen as "neutral" (not being from a former colonial power or a superpower).

If you look closely at the photo again, those soldiers in the Ferrets were essentially the "peacekeeping cavalry" of the era!

The Congo mission was not just a military operation; it was a deeply human experience that produced both acts of incredible bravery and a lasting cultural legacy in Malaysia through the art of Rejabhad.

Heroism in the Field: Three Iconic Officers

Several officers earned the Pingat Gagah Berani (PGB)—Malaysia’s second-highest award for gallantry—for their actions in the Congo. Their stories read like scenes from a movie:

Captain Maurice Lam & 2nd Lt. Neville Siebel (The Kindu Siege): On November 12, 1961, a group of Congolese rebels besieged an Officers' Mess in Kindu. They began beating a group of Italian Air Force personnel. Lam and Siebel, showing extreme poise, refused orders to surrender their weapons and armored vehicles. They took bold action, capturing a rebel leader and effectively staring down a superior force to protect their men and the Italians.
Lieutenant Lee Ah Pow (The Martini Intersection): On September 12, 1962, Lt. Lee was leading a patrol of Ferrets north of Elisabethville. They stumbled upon a large group of Katangese rebels who had surrounded a UN convoy (which included Gurkha soldiers). When the rebels opened fire, Lt. Lee ordered his Ferrets to return fire with short, disciplined bursts from their Browning machine guns. His quick tactical response dispersed the rebels and saved the besieged convoy from certain destruction.

The Cultural Legacy: Rejabhad’s "Perwira Mat Gila"

While the officers handled the combat, a young soldier named Rejab bin Had (later known as the "King of Malaysian Cartoonists") was documenting the lighter side of life in the Congo.

The Soldier-Cartoonist: Rejabhad was actually a member of the Royal Malay Regiment. He began drawing cartoons for magazines like Gelanggang Filem while still in service.
Documenting the MSF: His experiences in the Congo served as the foundation for his most famous works, particularly "Perwira Mat Gila." Through his sketches, he humanized the mission for those back home, showing the humor in the daily struggles of soldiers—from the strange African food to the confusion of communicating with locals and other UN contingents.
The "Gila-Gila" Era: Many Malaysians in the 70s and 80s first learned about the Congo mission not through history books, but through Rejabhad’s funny, nostalgic strips in the magazine Gila-Gila. He is credited with giving the Malaysian military a "friendly" and relatable identity.

Did you know? Rejabhad’s drawings are so historically significant that many of his original sketches and military memorabilia are now preserved in a gallery at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM).

A Final Note on the Mission

The mission ended abruptly in 1963, not because the Congo was stable, but because Malaysia faced a new threat closer to home: the Konfrontasi (Confrontation) with Indonesia. The battle-hardened troops returning from Africa were immediately deployed to defend the borders of the newly formed Malaysia.