The War of the Running Dogs

Noel Barber

Most are not aware that the identity card rule was imposed by Sir Henry Gurney on all Malayans as part of his broad strategy to fight the Communists terrorists (“CTs”).

It was an undeclared war as the British called it an Emergency to avoid insurance premiums skyrocketing. The CTs called it The War of the Running Dogs.

Gurney was High Commissioner for only a short 3 years (not 2 as stated by Noel Barber) before he was assassinated on his way to Fraser’s Hill. But his decisions were instrumental in winning the war according to Noel Barber. Gurney Drive in Penang is named after him in honour of his sacrifice.

Barber credited Gurney for the plan that history called The Briggs Plan. (p 80). Barber also said the squatters who were forcibly moved into New Villages were given land titles by the British as an incentive for them to move. (p 125). This is incorrect.

The Batang Kali massacre by British forces is briefly covered in this book. The massacre has resulted in court enquiries in UK, but the outcome was disappointing to the descendants of the victims. Much literature has been written on this massacre. Readers interested can look up the Internet.

This is popular history. Barber writes of the characters that populated this vicious war. The CTs were ruthless. It took a brilliant General Templer to defeat them. Rightly, Templer Park is named after him in honour of his contributions.

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