321 / 409
A NEW BEGINNING
305
FIFTEEN
The battalion live demonstration was a combination of several things: publicising live-firing
as a training methodology; a demonstration of firepower; a demonstration of command and
control of Infantry sub-units in a phased attack; a demonstration of how well the trainees,
especially the officer cadets, of SAFTI had been trained. All the key people, particularly
Mr. Lee Kuan Yew and Dr. Goh Keng Swee, important parliamentarians and senior MID
decision-makers would be present.
The final tactical training exercise of the officer cadet module was completed around two
weeks prior to commissioning. Preparations were initiated for the officer cadets and ‘B’ and
‘C’ Companies to rehearse a battalion attack to be led by Major Richard Jambu, Commander
Designate, 2
nd
Singapore Infantry Brigade, with officers from the three companies acting
as commanders of subunits and support bases. Two objectives—Spot Height 175 and Spot
Height 205—straddling Pasir Laba Road, were to be assaulted with live-firing including
breaching of wire obstacles with bangalore torpedoes and supported by Artillery. This
would be followed by a flanking attack on another feature, Spot Height 210 (Bunker Hill),
due north of Spot Height 175, by a platoon from the 205 objective, using blank rounds
VIP guests at the battalion attack demonstrations.
Brigadier Campbell
Mr. Ong Kah Kok