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11 Independent Field Squadron Royal Engineers - Building Fort Tapong Airstrip - Part 1

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Subject :11 Independent Field Squadron Royal Engineers - Building Fort Tapong Airstrip - Part 1
Published By : None 
Location : Perak
Estimated Year : 1959
Media Type : Photograph
Source : Richard Clarke, UK
Remark :

This set of photographs shows just how difficult it was to provide airstrips in the jungle to service the jungle forts. In some cases machinery was lifted in as will be seen from some of the other articles linked to this one, but in the case of Tapong the airstrip was built entirely by hand with only explosives, shovels and wheelbarrows to assist.

From left to right, top to bottom, the photographs show:

  • 1 Section, 1 Troop of the 11 Independent Field Squadron Royal Engineers at Tapong - their task to build an airstrip out of raw primary jungle. They are:

    Back row, left to right: Brunning, Clark, Mulldoon, Knight, and

    Front row, left to right: Vickers, Kellet, Gerry, Bates.

  • A controlled explosion under the roots to bring down one of the dozens of trees that had to be removed this way before being cut into manageable lengths.

  • A tree felled by explosives and about to be cut up.

  • Clearing the land for the airstrip, wheelbarrows being the most mechanised equipment available.
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    To go to Part 2, click here.

    To read more about Jungle Forts and Airstrips, click here.

    To read more about 11 Independent Field Squadron Royal Engineers, click here.

    Filename : 20090726-009