Brunei Revolt, 1962-1963

In December 1962, nationalists in Brunei formed the Army of North Kalimantan (TNKU) and engineered a rebellion against the Sultan. British forces were dispatched to restore order, and the 1 Queens Own Highlanders recaptured the strategically important oilfields. The Revolt was the catalyst for the three-year Confrontation with Indonesia 1963-66.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 09 November 2021
Publisher: Pen & Sword Books Ltd

In December 1962, a group of nationalists in Brunei, a wealthy small kingdom located on the North Coast of Borneo, formed the Army of North Kalimantan (TNKU). Driven by their desire for greater democracy, they orchestrated a rebellion against the Sultan and took numerous hostages. The British government, viewing this as a communist attempt to destabilize the Sultanate and seize power, swiftly dispatched military forces from Singapore. The first unit to arrive was 1/2nd Gurkhas, who entered the capital within twelve hours of the outbreak. Within a week, the 1 Queens Own Highlanders had reclaimed the strategically important oilfields, while 42 Commando, Royal Marines, and 1 Green Jackets landed in west Brunei. The subsequent six months were dedicated to rounding up TNKU members, with considerable concerns that Indonesia might be involved in the Revolt. As a result, Major General Walter Walker, then commanding the 17th Gurkha Division, was sent to Brunei to oversee operations. By mid-May 1963, the surviving TNKU members had been captured, although the Revolt was swiftly suppressed. Nonetheless, it served as a catalyst for the three-year Confrontation with Indonesia, 1963-66, which marked a significant period of tension and conflict between the two nations.

Weight: 420g
Dimension: 157 x 233 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781399013543