LETTERS: The film Malbatt: Misi Bakara highlights the valiant deeds of a Malaysian battalion in rescuing American Rangers when battling militias in Mogadishu, Somalia, in 1993.
However, I was surprised to learn that the United States' official recognition of the Malaysian forces' contribution to this rescue mission occurred only as recently as 2013.
Interestingly and unofficially, the US military forces involved in the battle had acknowledged and expressed their gratitude for the brave actions of the Malaysian rescue forces.
In 1997, journalist Mark Bowden published a series of 29 articles in The Philadelphia Inquirer online regarding the American forces in Mogadishu in 1993.
The articles and its question-and-answer session were compiled and published in a 1999 book titled Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern War.
Ridley Scott's 2001 war film Black Hawk Down was based on Bowden's book.
In 1997, after reading Bowden's articles, I corresponded with him.
This was regarding his account of American officers' request for Malaysian forces to vacate their Condor armoured personnel carriers (APCs) in favour of American forces.
The implication being that they did not believe that Malaysian forces were as capable as American troops.
A compromise was reached only when the Malaysians were allowed to retain a driver and gunner in each APC.
As a lieutenant in the Malaysian armed forces in 1997, I complained to Bowden about this slight against the Malaysian armed forces.
I said the Malaysian soldiers were as capable as the American forces and would have been more than capable of executing the rescue mission under American command if required.
Bowden said in his interviews and interactions with the American forces at the battle that they consistently had held a deep sense of gratitude for the courageous actions of the Malaysian soldiers.
Given Bowden's account and the US military's response, it is evident that the valour of the Malaysian battalion had earned them the respect and admiration of their American counterparts.
MAJOR (Rtd) CHEW KOK LIANG
Singapore
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times
