Battle of Aidabasalala
Encyclopedia
The Battle of Aidabasalala (16 October 1999) was a small but hard fought action during the 1999 East Timorese crisis
between pro-Indonesian militia, and a small six-man Australian covert reconnaissance
patrol from the Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) operating as part of the United Nations
-mandated International Force for East Timor (INTERFET). The battle took place near Aidabasalala, 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) from the West Timor
border, and saw the Australians repeatedly attacked in a series of fire-fights by a group of more than 20 militia. The SASR patrol had been detected while establishing an observation post and were forced to fight their way to a landing zone, being attacked a further three times over a one-and-a-half hour period, killing a number of their attackers before they were successfully extracted by Blackhawk helicopter.
in the area which was believed to have been a major militia infiltration route from West Timor. The creek bed was about 10 metres (32.8 ft) wide with high banks of nearly 3 metres (9.8 ft) surrounded by scrub, long grass and lantana
. As the Australians prepared their position a group of five or six militia in camouflage and webbing were observed moving stealthily along the creek bed. Lance Corporal Keith Fennell quietly sank to the ground, but not before he was seen. The lead militia scout levelled his weapon at Fennell who immediately engaged the threat, firing half of the magazine from his M-4 Carbine. Three militia were hit and the rest were forced to withdraw. Oddy then joined Fennell, firing several 40 mm grenades from his M203 grenade launcher
at the retreating militia.
With the initial action over Oddy attempted to establish communications, whilst Fennell and the patrol medic/machine gunner re-crossed the creek bed in order to increase their field of vision. Within minutes the militia began probing the Australian position again, and the patrol medic observed another two militia moving up the creek bed from the same direction as the previous group. He engaged the group, killing one of the attackers. Subsequently Fennell and the medic withdrew from across the creek bed as the patrol moved to establish an all-round defensive position. The sound of the intense action attracted further militia to the fight with the enemy growing to more than 20 in number. The militia had previously withdrawn just beyond range following the initial contact, yet with the arrival of reinforcements the attacks recommenced. Soon movement was observed by the six Australians, with the militia attempting to encircle and destroy them. Observing them through the undergrowth, five militia were soon sighted with the patrol second-in-command opening fire on the group just 10 metres (32.8 ft) away. Two were probably hit, whilst other militia pressed their attack, although their fire was mainly high and wide. The fight lasted another hour-and-a-half, with the Australians repeated repulsing their attackers. Finally, Oddy decided to break contact and the patrol withdrew across the creek bed, leaving their packs behind.
Responding to the calls for assistance, an Australian RESPFOR Initial Reaction Team was dispatched by Blackhawk to the position of the contact. During the later phase the helicopters circled the battlefield in an attempt to support the forces on the ground, yet with the militia attack faltering they began to withdraw, presenting enticing yet forbidden targets for the door gunners. After transiting 300 metres (328.1 yd) from the creek Oddy's patrol spotted two helicopters and attracted their attention with a smoke grenade. One of the helicopters landed and the embattled patrol was successfully extracted. The helicopters then returned to the site of contact, which was by now observed to be clear of militia activity. Three members of the patrol were set down in a small clearing nearby, recovering the previously abandoned packs and a number of weapons from the dead bodies.
and only 67 rounds from their M-4s during the action. Further RESPFOR teams were inserted into the area but they failed to locate any militia, while a company from 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment
(2RAR), mounted in M113A1 armoured personnel carriers
from B Squadron, 3rd/4th Cavalry Regiment, conducted a sweep of the area six hours after the contact, again with no result. Later, intelligence reports speculated on the involvement of Indonesian military personnel in the attempt to cut off and destroy the Australian reconnaissance patrol, whilst conjecture as to the identity of the pro-Indonesian militias and the source of their arms and training increased in the media. Oddy was subsequently awarded the Medal for Gallantry
(MG) for his leadership during the fighting.
1999 East Timorese crisis
The 1999 East Timorese crisis began with attacks by anti-independence militants on civilians, and expanded to general violence throughout the country, centred in the capital Dili. The violence erupted after a majority of eligible voters in the population of East Timor chose independence from...
between pro-Indonesian militia, and a small six-man Australian covert reconnaissance
Reconnaissance
Reconnaissance is the military term for exploring beyond the area occupied by friendly forces to gain information about enemy forces or features of the environment....
patrol from the Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) operating as part of the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
-mandated International Force for East Timor (INTERFET). The battle took place near Aidabasalala, 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) from the West Timor
West Timor
West Timor is the western and Indonesian portion of the island of Timor and part of the province of East Nusa Tenggara, .During the colonial period it was known as "Dutch Timor" and was a centre of Dutch loyalists during the Indonesian National Revolution...
border, and saw the Australians repeatedly attacked in a series of fire-fights by a group of more than 20 militia. The SASR patrol had been detected while establishing an observation post and were forced to fight their way to a landing zone, being attacked a further three times over a one-and-a-half hour period, killing a number of their attackers before they were successfully extracted by Blackhawk helicopter.
Prelude
A six-man Australian covert reconnaissance patrol led by Sergeant Steven Oddy had been operating near Aidabasalala since 13 October 1999, after being tasked with confirming reports of militia sightings in the area. Indeed intelligence indicated that there was a significant militia presence in the area, and Response Force—INTERFETs strategic reconnaissance force—began planning a raid on the village. Aged 32, Oddy was an experienced patrol commander with more than 12 years service in the SASR. Over the next three days the patrol moved south-west towards their objective, spending a whole day in a village without being detected.Battle
At 07:00 on the morning of 16 October 1999 the Australian reconnaissance patrol was moving forward when it came into contact with pro-Indonesian militia. The initial contact occurred as the Australians crossed the dry bed of the Moto Meuculi Creek and prepared to establish an observation postObservation post
An observation post, temporary or fixed, is a position from which soldiers can watch enemy movements, to warn of approaching soldiers , or to direct artillery fire...
in the area which was believed to have been a major militia infiltration route from West Timor. The creek bed was about 10 metres (32.8 ft) wide with high banks of nearly 3 metres (9.8 ft) surrounded by scrub, long grass and lantana
Lantana
Lantana is a genus of about 150 species of perennial flowering plants in the verbena family, Verbenaceae. They are native to tropical regions of the Americas and Africa but exist as an introduced species in numerous areas, especially in the Australian-Pacific region. The genus includes both...
. As the Australians prepared their position a group of five or six militia in camouflage and webbing were observed moving stealthily along the creek bed. Lance Corporal Keith Fennell quietly sank to the ground, but not before he was seen. The lead militia scout levelled his weapon at Fennell who immediately engaged the threat, firing half of the magazine from his M-4 Carbine. Three militia were hit and the rest were forced to withdraw. Oddy then joined Fennell, firing several 40 mm grenades from his M203 grenade launcher
M203 grenade launcher
The M203 is a single shot 40 mm grenade launcher designed to attach to a rifle. It uses the same rounds as the older M79 break-action grenade launcher, which utilize the High-Low Propulsion System to keep recoil forces low. Though versatile, and compatible with many rifle models, the M203 was...
at the retreating militia.
With the initial action over Oddy attempted to establish communications, whilst Fennell and the patrol medic/machine gunner re-crossed the creek bed in order to increase their field of vision. Within minutes the militia began probing the Australian position again, and the patrol medic observed another two militia moving up the creek bed from the same direction as the previous group. He engaged the group, killing one of the attackers. Subsequently Fennell and the medic withdrew from across the creek bed as the patrol moved to establish an all-round defensive position. The sound of the intense action attracted further militia to the fight with the enemy growing to more than 20 in number. The militia had previously withdrawn just beyond range following the initial contact, yet with the arrival of reinforcements the attacks recommenced. Soon movement was observed by the six Australians, with the militia attempting to encircle and destroy them. Observing them through the undergrowth, five militia were soon sighted with the patrol second-in-command opening fire on the group just 10 metres (32.8 ft) away. Two were probably hit, whilst other militia pressed their attack, although their fire was mainly high and wide. The fight lasted another hour-and-a-half, with the Australians repeated repulsing their attackers. Finally, Oddy decided to break contact and the patrol withdrew across the creek bed, leaving their packs behind.
Responding to the calls for assistance, an Australian RESPFOR Initial Reaction Team was dispatched by Blackhawk to the position of the contact. During the later phase the helicopters circled the battlefield in an attempt to support the forces on the ground, yet with the militia attack faltering they began to withdraw, presenting enticing yet forbidden targets for the door gunners. After transiting 300 metres (328.1 yd) from the creek Oddy's patrol spotted two helicopters and attracted their attention with a smoke grenade. One of the helicopters landed and the embattled patrol was successfully extracted. The helicopters then returned to the site of contact, which was by now observed to be clear of militia activity. Three members of the patrol were set down in a small clearing nearby, recovering the previously abandoned packs and a number of weapons from the dead bodies.
Aftermath
At least four militia were killed during the fighting, with another four believed to have been wounded. Local villagers nearby later reported that the attackers had suffered five killed and three wounded although this could not be confirmed. There were no Australian casualties. Regardless, the Australian patrol had demonstrated exceptional fire discipline and one member did not even fire his weapon at all as no militia had appeared in his arc of responsibility. In total they fired just 200 rounds from the machine-gunner's F-89 MinimiFN Minimi
The Minimi is a Belgian 5.56mm light machine gun developed by Fabrique Nationale in Herstal by Ernest Vervier. First introduced in 1974, it has entered service with the armed forces of over thirty countries...
and only 67 rounds from their M-4s during the action. Further RESPFOR teams were inserted into the area but they failed to locate any militia, while a company from 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment
2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment
2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment is a regular light infantry battalion of the Australian Army. 2 RAR was first formed as the Australian 66th Battalion in 1945 and since then it has seen active service during the Korean War, Malayan Emergency and Vietnam War...
(2RAR), mounted in M113A1 armoured personnel carriers
M113 armored personnel carrier
The M113 is a fully tracked armored personnel carrier that has formed the backbone of the United States Army's mechanized infantry units from the time of its first fielding in Vietnam in April 1962. The M113 was the most widely used armored vehicle of the U.S...
from B Squadron, 3rd/4th Cavalry Regiment, conducted a sweep of the area six hours after the contact, again with no result. Later, intelligence reports speculated on the involvement of Indonesian military personnel in the attempt to cut off and destroy the Australian reconnaissance patrol, whilst conjecture as to the identity of the pro-Indonesian militias and the source of their arms and training increased in the media. Oddy was subsequently awarded the Medal for Gallantry
Medal for Gallantry
The Medal for Gallantry is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the Australian Defence Force. It recognises acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances. The MG was introduced on 15 January 1991, replacing the Imperial equivalent. It is ranked third in the Gallantry Decorations...
(MG) for his leadership during the fighting.