The Emergency in Malaya was the longest continuous military commitment in Australia's history. The confrontation in Indonesia was a small undeclared war on Australia's doorstep.

Between 1950 and the early 60s fifty-one Australian servicemen were killed in Malaya, although only 15 of these deaths occurred as a result of operations. Twenty were wounded, most of whom were in the army.

The "secret war" in Indonesia resulted from a belief by Indonesia's President Sukarno that the creation of the Federation of Malaysia represented an attempt by Britain to maintain colonial rule. Twenty-three Australians lost their lives between 1964 and 1966, seven of them on operations, and eight were wounded.

It's called "a secret war" because of the sensitivity of the cross-border operations. Australians did not read about the Indonesian Confrontation in their so called "free" press, a principle many Australian troops ironically were prepared to lay down their lives for.

Australian forces have always stuck together like oats and golden syrup in an Anzac biscuit.

The threat of communism and Malayan independence lead to the Malayan Emergency.

The hot, humid tropical conditions in Malaya made the traditional Australian Army uniform unsuitable.

Being vigilant, taking precautions against wild animals and disease, travelling light and keeping quiet. That's what jungle combat's all about.

The Confrontation in Indonesia was undeclared and largely secret, resulting from attempts by Indonesia to destabilise the region. Australia was there as part of a larger British and Commonwealth operation. This time it was close to home.

Australia's involvement in what's become known as "The Malayan Emergency" began in 1950 with the RAAF.