By Alan Greig and Mal Lynch
Alan Greig of the Forest Lake & Districts RSL Sub-Branch was invited to attend the Pallara State School History Club and speak to students on 23 May. He is a veteran of the Malayan Emergency, an action that commenced in 1948 when the British declared a state of emergency following an attack on three European estate managers by members of the Malayan Communist Party.
Australia became involved in the action and deployed Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Dakotas from 38 SQN to Singapore in 1950 to assist with troop movements, cargo runs and leaflet drops. Six RAAF Lincoln bombers from 1 SQN arrived in Singapore and remained eight years undertaking some 3,000 aerial missions against the communist terrorists.
Alan Greig (right) with Forest Lake & Districts RSL Sub-Branch veterans Brian Robertson (left) and George Churchward (centre).
Towards the end of 1959 operations against the communists entered their final phase, and the Malay government declared the emergency over in July 1960. Australia maintained a deployment in Malaya until August 1963. Fifteen Australians were killed in operations and twenty-seven wounded during the emergency.
Alan served initially as a photographer before transferring to aircrew and graduating as a Sergeant in 1951. He flew sixty-seven bombing missions with No.1 (b) Squadron (SQN) Malaya before his next posting to No. 10 (m) SQN Townsville which had been re-equipped with “Long Nose” Lincolns, as a Maritime Squadron.
The Avro Lincoln was a four-engine heavy bomber that evolved from the Avro Lancaster. Many were built under licence in Australia and designated the Mk.30. In Alan’s time in Townsville Russian submarines were of concern in the Asia-Pacific region leading to the maritime version, the MR31, as submarine hunters. The large fuel capacity afforded an endurance of 12 hours or more. The bomb bay was adapted to accept acoustic homing torpedoes. Submarine detecting equipment was fitted in the nose by the RAAF, which was lengthened to accommodate the technology.
In 1963 Alan parked his navigation bag and entered the field of logistics, completing a degree in economics from the University of New England (UNE) which qualified him to undertake the USAF Institute of Technology Master’s degree in Logistics. He eventually left his position as a Squadron Leader in the RAAF in 1973.
During his 25-year service with the RAAF, Alan undertook roles on various aircraft including Dakotas and C130 Hercules. He has had a long association with the RSL and the Forest Lake Branch and resides in the suburb. He previously penned this column for six years.
Alan made sure the students at Pallara would get some excitement from three of the flying incidents that he narrated and included in his presentation. He was impressed with the standard of questions they asked that demonstrated close diligence and an understanding of his delivery.
References: Australian War Memorial.
