ANZUK Force Singapore
ANZUK was a tripartite defense force established by Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom to maintain stability in the Asia-Pacific region following the UK’s decision to reduce its military presence east of the Suez in the early 1970s. The force was officially formed in Singapore on November 1, 1971, under the command of Rear Admiral David Wells. Its primary objective was to provide a unified military presence in Southeast Asia, particularly in Singapore and Malaysia.
The ANZUK force comprised land, naval, and air components from the three nations. The land component included the 28th ANZUK Brigade, which consisted of battalions from each country: the 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment; the 1st Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment; and the 1st Battalion, Royal Highland Fusiliers from the UK. Naval contributions featured frigates and submarines from the Royal Navy, Royal Australian Navy, and Royal New Zealand Navy. The air component was made up of various squadrons, including No. 3 and No. 75 Squadrons of the Royal Australian Air Force operating Dassault Mirage III aircraft, and No. 41 Squadron of the Royal New Zealand Air Force flying Bristol Freighters and Bell UH-1H Iroquois helicopters.
Each nation’s personnel wore their standard uniforms, supplemented with specific patches to denote their affiliation with ANZUK. For instance, ANZUK Headquarters and support elements had distinct insignia, while the 28 ANZUK Brigade units had their own identifying patches. The naval and air components typically did not wear additional patches, as they remained under national command and were attached to ANZUK on an as-needed basis.
By 1973, shifting political climates in Australia and the UK led to the decision to disband ANZUK. Rear Admiral Wells initiated the planning for the force’s dissolution, with Air Vice Marshal Richard Gordon Wakeford overseeing the final phases. Australia chose to maintain a presence at Butterworth in Malaysia, while the UK proceeded with its withdrawal from the region. Recognizing the strategic importance, New Zealand established the New Zealand Force Southeast Asia (NZFORSEA) on January 30, 1974, assuming command of the New Zealand units previously integrated into ANZUK. The disbandment process continued throughout 1974, with integrated units transitioning back to national commands. By January 31, 1974, ANZUK had officially ceased to exist, and by 1977, NZFORSEA remained the sole foreign military presence in Singapore.
The ANZUK force represented a significant collaborative defence effort among Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom during a pivotal period in Southeast Asian geopolitics.
To fellow shipmates
We would like to bring to your attention on the following indisputable facts as to why.
During the period of 1 February 1974 to 31 December 1974 the disputed period for recognition your Para above suggests that New Zealand Ships were under the command of New Zealand Force South East Asia (NZFORSEA) from 1 February 1974 to late 1989 and did not have an operational role.
This was not the case during the 11 months of 1974 when our ships clearly remained under the command of COMANZUKNAV and remained an active part of the FESR/ANZUK naval force Until 31 December 1974.
This naval commitment primarily had a deterrent role maintaining a presence throughout the region and being available to provide assistance, or to guide merchant shipping through the recognised troubled waters of the South China Seas if required. Given the extended duration of this service, it was generally, but not always, above the threshold of contemporary peacetime service, which is one of the key principles of operational service.
From the Cooke Report South-East Asia Service 1950 to 1975 page 60 states: “In the course of their maritime patrols New Zealand vessels occasionally came into contact with potentially hostile
vessels, (with a potential for harm). An example was HMNZS TARANAKI when at sea off the east coast of Malaysia in October 1974”.
During this time the ships were operating under a higher damage control premise and an operational status above normal peacetime steaming, whilst on patrol engagements and potential for harm.
During 1974 there are many specific examples of RNZN ships, HMNZS Otago, HMNZS Waikato and HMNZS Taranaki, all serving with the ANZUK Naval component, along with ships of the Royal Navy and the Royal Australian Navy throughout 1974, while all being under the command of and ordered by the COMANZUKNAV to undertake specific missions.
We can find no logical answer as to why NZDF advisors on medallic recognition would terminate the naval service dates on 31 January 1974, when clearly ANZUK Force was maintaining both naval and air patrols in these strategic waters and shipping lanes for potential hostile vessels, including Soviet Warships at this time and did so uninterrupted until our commitment ended on 1 January 1975.
During these maritime patrols New Zealand vessels frequently encountered such vessels of interest, or potentially hostile vessels. An example was HMNZS Taranaki when at sea off the East Coast of Malaysia in October 1974, at 0812 while heading NE, she altered speed and course to close within two cables (about 400 metres) of a modern Russian warship and her accompanying tanker. The Russian warship was identified as the Kresta-II-class guided missile cruiser ADMIRAL OKTYABRSKY.
This ship with no declared lawful intent to be in these waters, not only met the criteria to be declared or identified as a potential protagonist within the terms of the cold war. It was also certainly one with the capability to pose some form of real threat or potential harm under the following paragraphs taken from the 2021 report.
Reassessment of the Recommendations of The Medallic Recognition Joint Working Group on New Zealand Military Service in South East Asia 1955 to 1989. March 2021 (known as the ‘McLeod Report’).
Furthermore, in the ‘OIA requested’ minute from JR McLeod DHCP to CDF; para 6. the writer states: “The 2020 reassessment did not identify any additional specific periods of Naval Service that clearly met the operational service criteria. It does however conclude that Naval Service over the period 1959 to 1974 has not received appropriate medallic recognition”. During this time RNZN deployments were part of a formal Commonwealth commitment as part of the Far East strategic reserve (FESR) and then the Australia New Zealand United Kingdom (ANZUK) Force both had operational roles (deterrent and protection of merchant shipping) and were kept at a readiness level where they were immediately available for combat operations in the theatre”.
We therefore suggest the use of 31 Jan 1974 shutoff date as being unethical. When it would have been truthful and unbiased to use 31 December 1974, when our involvement with ANZUK ceased. Thereby denying our sailors 11months of recognised operational service.
This is clearly a travesty of justice by the hands of the ‘Green Machine’ who have influenced the above post. Unfortunately the have been very economical with the truth.
Ends…