Black Hawk Down - The Day Malaysian Troops Saved The US Rangers & Delta Force

MOVIE REVIEW

In conjunction with the US Independence Day, let's review the movie Black Hawk Down. Many of us Im sure will remember the 2 1/2 hour movie that was released worldwide in 2002. It was a movie that captivated the world. Ridley Scott's film, Black Hawk Down, is about one doomed mission, the true story of what happened when crack US troops launched a fraught mission to capture warlords in the Somali capital of Mogadishu in 1993.

The Movie - Black Hawk Down

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ej71wB5GDWU

However lets look at the Real Story behind the movie;

Military experts said that the movie focused on the US special forces while playing down the role played by Malaysia and Pakistani UN Forces. The US Rangers were trapped when their whole operation, which was initially shrouded in top secrecy went all wrong. This is when they had to ask for help from the other UN Forces present in Mogadishu.

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IN MALAYSIA

So it was no surprise, when the movie came under fire in Malaysia for ignoring the role of Malaysian troops in rescuing American soldiers during the battle in Somalia in 1993. Retired Brigadier-General Abdul Latif Ahmad, who commanded Malaysian forces serving with the United Nations in Somalia at that time, says they were in the thick of the action. 

Malaysian Snipers in Somalia

He says he wants to set the record straight so moviegoers don't get the wrong impression that the real battle was fought by the Americans, while Malaysians were mere bus drivers to ferry them out. He says RIDLEY SCOTT's tale of the abortive 1993 US military intervention in Somalia features only a glimpse of Asian-looking people helping to extricate trapped American soldiers. 

The truth, says the former commander, is the Americans were saved by a rescue force of 113 Malaysian troops deployed in 32 Condor armoured personnel carriers after two Black Hawk helicopters were shot down in Mogadishu. He supports his claim with letters of praise from senior American officers thanking the Malaysians for saving US soldiers.

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The Malaysian Contigent in Somalia

Remembering the events of Oct 3, 1993, an operation by the US forces to nab Somali warlord Gen Mohammed Farrah Aidid in his enclave failed. Compounding matters, two Black Hawk helicopters sent to pick up the US soldiers were shot down.

An order 'to assist by all means available' was made by the United Nations command to Malaysian and Pakistani contingents. But it came after the US had made four unsuccessful attempts to rescue their trapped soldiers.

Malaysian Team in Somalia

There was a further delay before the Malaysian team could move into action. The US wanted to go it alone but with the use of 32 Malaysian armed personnel carriers.

Gen Abdul Latif recalled that the US military was advised it could not learn how to operate the German-made carriers in a short while.

The Malaysian APC Convoy 

Only after considerable discussion and delay did Malaysian troops and US Ranger teams move into action.

The Malaysian APC can be seen thick in the battle

Eighteen US soldiers died and 70 were wounded. Private Mat Aznan Awang was the sole Malaysian casualty. He received the highest gallantry award from the Malaysian King. Other members of the team were also decorated.

One of 4 APC's that were destroyed

Awang, driver of a Malaysian Condor armoured personnel carrier, was killed when his vehicle was hit by an RPG on 3 October. He was posthumously promoted to Corporal, and awarded the Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa (Gallant Warrior/Warrior of Extreme Valour) medal.The SPGP medal was received by Mat Aznan’s wife Siti Zauyah Yahya on his behalf. 

The remains of Kpl Adnan given full military honours.

Six others namely Mej. Ab. Aziz Ab. Latif, Kapt Mohd Halim Khalid, LtM Khairul Anuar Abd. Aziz, LtM Muhammad Juraimy Aripin,L/Kpl Mohd Sabri Ahmad and L/Kpl Rizal Ismail were awarded with the Pingat Panglima Gagah Berani (PGB) medals by the Seri Paduka Baginda Yang Dipertuan Agong.

 It's been 20 years and now one of the late Mat Aznan’s daughters has followed his footstep by joining the Malaysian Army. Kpl Noor Azlinda binti Mat Aznan is currently assigned at Ministry of Defence (MINDEF)

More satisfying was the praise the Malaysian soldiers received from the men with whom they fought alongside.

Brigadier-General Greg Gile, commander of the US Ranger Force wrote on Oct 14, 1993: 'The battle that will live in history - your forces proved essential to accomplish the mission. The Rangers were saved, thanks to your soldiers.'

Major-General Thomas Montgomery, commander of the UN forces, was equally effusive. 'We are mindful of the price paid by your brave soldiers. We will never forget them and will be eternally grateful to Malaysia,' he said, assuring Malaysia that any US press critical of the rescue effort was off the mark.

The Hollywood movie has chosen to gloss over a contribution that a lieutenant in the US army appreciated.

A few days after the rescue, Lt John Breen wrote to the Malaysian soldiers who fought alongside him. He said many Americans were able to go to their families because of the help provided by the Malaysian troops.

The Saved US Rangers

He said: 'I would fight alongside you anywhere, any place.'

Gen Abdul Latif wants this untold part of Black Hawk Down known.

The true story is that the Malaysians and the Pakistanis UN Forces extricated the US Rangers& Delta Force. The Malaysians lost one soldier,while 9 others were injured and lost 4 APCs. If not for the courage of the Malaysian and Pakistani soldiers, America' elite  US soldiers would have lost 70 of their Rangers. 

After the rescue at the stadium.

Even the public in the United States of America were in shock when on the morning of Oct. 4, a Monday. America had awakened to a tragedy in Mogadishu. Eighteen dead soldiers. More than 70 wounded. Hundreds of Somalis dead. On the TV screen came horrible images of a dead American soldier being dragged through the city's dusty streets by angry crowds.

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The Movie should have showed how the joint UN Forces worked together to save the US Rangers and fought out one of the most intense battles in UN Peacekeeping Forces History.

On this USA Independence day lets remember the Malaysian Soldiers from UNISOM11 who put their lives on the line to save the US Rangers from a mission that went all wrong in war torn Mogadishu, Somalia almost 20 years ago. We also remember the brave American soldiers that went down in that battle. 

Let us always remember the sacrifices of our defence forces and police who fight to upkeep the peace and maintain the sovereignity of our country. These are the same men who have always made us proud when coming under the banner of the United Nations Peacekeeping Forces.

Movies like Black Hawk Down remind us not take peace & stability in a country for granted and to appreciate the sacrifices of our defence forces.

"The battle that will live in history…your forces proved essential to accomplish the (rescue) mission. The Rangers were saved, thanks to your soldier"-  Brig Gen Greg L. Gile.

"The sight of Americans and Malaysians locked in soldierly embrace at the battle’s end is one I will never forget" - Lt Kol William C David, CO of the US Ranger Bn during Battle of Bakara.

"There are at least 200 Americans alive today, who will go home to be with their families because of the aid you provided…I would fight alongside you anywhere, anyplace" - First Lt John C. Breen.

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Source : Straits Times. AFP, BBC, Youtube