Jungle Beat

In search of adventure, Roy Follows joined the Malay police at the height of a bitter 10-year campaign against communist terrorists. He was 22 and had no experience of jungle warfare. Within a year he had become the youngest ever commander of a jungle fort and platoon operation deep within enemy controlled territory. Reliant on uncertain intelligence, he led his platoon through a series of offensive patrols and carried the war with the terrorists to their own ground. Faced by a deadly enemy, Roy was also forced to confront an unknown but equally threatening environment. Stampeding elephants, swarming ants, and prowling tigers competed with the terrorists for the lives of his men. The jungle itself constantly tried to deceive even the most wary navigator, whilst offering little respite from the relentless rain and draining humidity. This is the gripping account of Roy’s hard-fought stint as a jungle officer.