⚔"Operation Red Tidings" by J.P. Cross

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Operation Red Tidings

JP Cross

Monsoon BooksBurrough on the Hill

Published in 2021

by Monsoon Books Ltd

www.monsoonbooks.co.uk

No.1 The Lodge, Burrough Court,

Burrough on the Hill, Leics. LE14 2QS, UK

ISBN (paperback): 9781912049943

ISBN (ebook): 9781912049950

The moral right of the author has been asserted.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the publisher, nor be otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.

Cover design by Cover Kitchen.

Contents

Postscript

Map of Peninsular Malaysia

Map of Baling

Map of Negri Sembilan

List of Characters

Abbreviations

Glossary

About the author

Other books by JP Cross

Friday, 13 August 1954, Jelebu pass and Seremban, central Malaya: For three days the guerrillas had been lying in ambush, overlooking the steep, winding road leading to the narrow Jelebu pass. Their special target was the vehicle carrying the Commanding Officer of the 1/12 Gurkha Rifles, travelling south from Kuala Klawang to Seremban, the battalion’s headquarters.

In charge of the ambush was Tan Fook Leong, commander of the 2nd Regiment of the Malayan Races Liberation Army, MRLA, a bright, experienced, well-educated man with considerable jungle experience in operations against the Japanese during the late war.

‘Comrade commander, no military traffic has moved along this normally busy road while we’ve been in ambush. Why are we still here?’ a comrade asked, absent-mindedly scratching a leech bite on his leg.

To grumble openly meant a demerit and a self-criticism session when conditions were back to normal so not to show any disquiet only innocent questions were asked. Ambushes were not easy to stay in for long periods; movement was restricted, it was difficult to relieve oneself, there were midges, mosquitoes, leeches, poisonous centipedes, there was nowhere to go when it rained. In the Jelebu pass area it rained so regularly in the afternoons that one could set the time by it: twenty past four. Also the ambush area was high enough to be cold at nights, so the innocent question, ‘why are we still here?’ really meant ‘we have been long enough, uncomfortable enough and bored enough with nothing happening so why not get up and go, now?’

The answer, likewise, had to be firmly explicit to quell any misgivings. ‘Comrade, I happen to know that there is a new CO of the Gurkha battalion in Seremban, Lieutenant Colonel Ridings. My spies have told me that he had planned to visit his “out companies” around now. He has to return to his HQ along this road and I think he’ll be along soon as today could be his unlucky day,’ Commander Tang explained patiently.

‘Comrade, why should you think that?’ That was, surely, only a wild guess.

From long habit he spoke in a low voice and only the men near him could hear what he said. ‘I’ll tell you why. When I was in England in 1946 for the Victory Parade I learnt that the gwai lo have a strange fear; whenever the 13th of the month is a Friday it is unlucky. Today is Friday the 13th. Have any of you ever heard such nonsense?’

No, no one in earshot had.

‘Comrade,’ called out the man at the lower edge of the ambush, ‘I hear transport coming.’

⚔"Operation Red Tidings" by J.P. Cross

Overview:

Plot: The book probably revolves around a covert military mission named "Operation Red Tidings," possibly set during a conflict involving guerrilla warfare, such as the Malayan Emergency or the Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation. The mission likely involves British or allied forces conducting operations against insurgents in a remote jungle setting, where the protagonist and his unit must outmaneuver a determined enemy.

Setting: As with many of J.P. Cross's works, the setting is most likely the dense, unforgiving jungles of Southeast Asia. The jungle terrain plays a significant role in the narrative, influencing tactics, movement, and survival.

Themes:

Jungle warfare and survival: The book would delve into the difficulties of operating in the jungle, including dealing with harsh weather, dangerous wildlife, and the need for exceptional survival skills.
Counter-insurgency tactics: It would explore the strategic and psychological elements of fighting a guerrilla force that blends into the environment and local populations, making the enemy elusive and dangerous.
Leadership and decision-making under pressure: The protagonist, likely modeled after J.P. Cross, would be a military leader who has to make tough decisions, balancing the lives of his men with the demands of the mission.

Characters:

Protagonist: A seasoned military officer, possibly based on Cross himself, leading his team through perilous operations. The protagonist would be knowledgeable in jungle warfare, resilient, and skilled in counter-insurgency techniques.

Supporting soldiers: The story would feature a variety of characters within the military unit, showcasing their camaraderie, personal struggles, and individual contributions to the mission.

Insurgents and local populations: The enemy forces are likely portrayed as elusive and strategic, using their knowledge of the terrain to their advantage. Local populations might also be a part of the narrative, either as informants or as part of the conflict’s complexities.

Style:

⚔"Operation Red Tidings" by J.P. Cross