Brian William McFarlane as a platoon commander 2nd Battalion The Royal Australian Regiment (2 RAR), Malaya 1956-1957, interviewed by Colonel David Chinn MBE (Rtd)

McFarlane speaks of training at the Jungle Training Centre (JTC) Canungra, South East Queensland; his repostings from 1st Recruit Training Battalion, Kapooka, New South Wales through to joining 2 RAR in Enoggera Camp, near Brisbane, Queensland; the lack of briefing on the Malayan Emergency; training of 2 RAR for Strategic Reserve duties in Malaya both in Enoggera and at Canungra; his rejoining 2 RAR in Malaya, after detachment to 11th National Service Training Battalion at Wacol, Queensland; the battalion's settling in to Malayan service in administrative terms; the operational environment of the Emergency; the appropriateness of JTC training; the efficacy of the Owen sub machine gun and the general accuracy of combat shooting; units of 28th Commonwealth Brigade and an encounter by the brigade commander with 2 RAR soldiers taking a combat ration lunch; his experiences of operations, particularly patrolling in various types of terrain, and manning village check-points; the serviceability of equipment and weapons carried; the discomfort of clothing in the tropical heat and dampness; platoon strength on operations; tracking training and operations; experiences with other British units and the local Home Guard; some testing and trying times for officers and soldiers; aspects of light relief; leave dress and relaxation; his experience of hospitalisation; the administration of married/accompanied and single personnel; the efficacy of the two year posting to Malaya; the strain of limited contacts with the communist terrorist (CT) enemy; the most unforgettable character of 2 RAR; the qualities of senior battalion officers; his general views on the Army's effectiveness - Second World War, Malaya, Borneo and South Vietnam.