A small Gurkha assault on an Indonesian position during Konfrontasi resulted in the award of a Victoria Cross to Lance Corporal Rambahadur Limbu.
Key Facts
- Date
- 21 November 1965
- Gurkha attack force
- 16-man advance squad, supported by 104-man company
- Indonesian force size
- Company-sized position
- Victoria Cross recipient
- Lance Corporal Rambahadur Limbu
- Conflict context
- Indonesian–Malaysian Confrontation, 1962–1966
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The Indonesian–Malaysian Confrontation (Konfrontasi) of 1962–1966 produced a series of small-scale border engagements in Borneo. Indonesian forces had established a company-sized position in the border area of Sarawak, prompting British Army Gurkha units to mount an offensive operation against it.
On 21 November 1965, a 16-man Gurkha advance squad attacked the Indonesian position near Bau and Gunong Tepoi in Sarawak. The remaining 104 men of the Gurkha company then joined the assault, virtually destroying the Indonesian force and compelling the survivors to withdraw before the Gurkhas themselves retired under pressure from a nearby Indonesian company.
The Indonesian company was effectively destroyed, though the Gurkhas withdrew due to the proximity of another Indonesian unit. Lance Corporal Rambahadur Limbu was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions during the battle, making this engagement one of the most decorated actions of the Confrontation.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Side B
1 belligerent