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Communist Propaganda Leaflet (and Slashing Of Rubber Trees)
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Subject :Communist Propaganda Leaflet (and Slashing of Rubber Trees)
Published By : 5th Regiment National Liberation Army of Malaya
Location : Perak
Estimated Year : 1951
Media Type : Ephemera
Source : A D McLeod, Ipoh
Remark : The scanned leaflet shows Communist Propaganda asking the British soldiers to stop fighting:
Propaganda has been used to hasten the surrender of enemy personnel with the minimal loss of life across many theatres of war. There were various methods of propaganda warfare used during the Malayan Emergency, particularly leaflets and voice messages. Leaflet dropping scattered pieces of paper that drew the attention of the CTs to their weaknesses and what would happen to them if they refused to surrender.
Loudspeaker aircraft were transport aircraft that carried a high fidelity broadcasting apparatus. These aircraft carried messages to specific members of the enemy be it a platoon or regiment. During the Malayan Emergency loudspeaker aircraft broadcast personal messages from families to the Communist Terrorist (CTs) that were still in the jungle. Messages from surrendered CTs were also broadcast in order to break the willpower of the enemy.
The communists also had their own method of psychological warfare directed at the Commonwealth forces that were here. This sample was picked up by Bob McLeod of the Gordon Highlanders during an approach-march to the platoon operations area in the foot-hills of the main range near Bidor in August 1951.
McLeod takes up the story:
The leaflet in block capitals, misspellings and all, reads as follows:
To see an example of an air dropped government leaflet, click here.
Propaganda has been used to hasten the surrender of enemy personnel with the minimal loss of life across many theatres of war. There were various methods of propaganda warfare used during the Malayan Emergency, particularly leaflets and voice messages. Leaflet dropping scattered pieces of paper that drew the attention of the CTs to their weaknesses and what would happen to them if they refused to surrender.
Loudspeaker aircraft were transport aircraft that carried a high fidelity broadcasting apparatus. These aircraft carried messages to specific members of the enemy be it a platoon or regiment. During the Malayan Emergency loudspeaker aircraft broadcast personal messages from families to the Communist Terrorist (CTs) that were still in the jungle. Messages from surrendered CTs were also broadcast in order to break the willpower of the enemy.
The communists also had their own method of psychological warfare directed at the Commonwealth forces that were here. This sample was picked up by Bob McLeod of the Gordon Highlanders during an approach-march to the platoon operations area in the foot-hills of the main range near Bidor in August 1951.
McLeod takes up the story:
“It was a common practice for Communist units to carry out “slashing” on rubber estates i.e. slashing with parangs the trunks and especially the tapping panels of rubber trees so as to render them unproductive. This was carried out both on deliberate operations or merely when passing through.
Since this practice was not limited to foreign owned estates but also included locally owned small-holdings, it was somewhat counterproductive in that it tended to alienate the otherwise rather cooperative (this was in 1951) Chinese rural population who provided the bulk of the Min Yuen on whom the terrorist relied for logistical support and it tended to fade out (slashing that is!).
Leaflets, such as the sample, were frequently stuck onto the weeping trees as obviously this one was.”
The leaflet in block capitals, misspellings and all, reads as follows:
“(1) DOWN WITH BRITISH IMPERIALISME! LONG LIVE THE FRIENDSHIP OF THE BRITISH AND MALAYSAN PEOPLE!
ISSUED BY THE 5TH REGIMENT NATIONAL LIBERATION ARMY OF MALAYA.
(2) BRITISH SOLDIERS! PROMPTLY SURRENDER WHEN ENGAGED IN BATTLE! WEONLY WANT YOUR ARMS ----- NOT YOUR LIVES!
ISSUED BY THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE 6TH REGIMENT NATIONAL LIBERATION ARMY OF MALAYA.
(3) BRITISH SOLDIERS! LINE UP WITH THE MALAYAN PEOPLE! STANDUP AND FIGHT YOUR EXPLOITERS AND OPPRESSORS! YOUR REAL ENEMIES ARE THOSE WHO ARE FORCING YOU TO BUTCHER THE FREEDOM ----- LOVING MALAYAN PEOPLE
ISSUED BY THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE 6TH REGIMENT NATIONAL LIBERATION ARMY OF MALAYA.
(4) BRITISH SOLDIERS! YOU HAVE NOTHING TO GAIN FROM THIS WAR IN MALAYA EXCEPT DISEASE, MUTILATION DEATH! YOU ARE MERELYRISKING YOUR PRECIOUS LIVES FOR THE MONEY -----BAGS SAFELY ENSCONCED IN LONDON WAKE UP! DEMAND TO BE SENT BACK HOME! DEMAND AN END TO THIS CRIMINAL WAR!
ISSUED BY THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE 6TH REGIMENT NATIONAL LIBERATION ARMY OF MALAYA.
(5) BRITISH SOLDIERS! THE WAR IN MALAYA IS AN ATROCIOUSWAR AGAINST THE FREEDOM -----LOVING PEOPLE OF MALAYA! TELL YOUR PARENTS, WIVES, SWEETHEARTS AND PALS TO GET TOGETHER AND ORGANISE A NATION WIDE CHMPAIGN AGAINST THE DOWNING STREET WAR CRIMINAL -----THE MEN WHO ISSUE THE ORDERS WHICH SEND YOUTO YOUR DEATH THOUSANTS OF MILES AWAY FROM HOME!
ISSUED BY THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE 6TH REGIMENT, NATIONAL LIBERATION ARMY OF MALAYA."
To see an example of an air dropped government leaflet, click here.
Filename : 20091026-004