RAF pilot Bob Lockhart receiving memento, Stanmore

Mar. 03, 1974 - An RAF Pilot Who Won A Battle By Bluff Receives A Belated Memento From A Gurkha Platoon: Royal Air Force Pilot Squadron Leader Bob Lockhart today received a belated memento of a remarkable feat which rescued a Gurkha platoon - by bluff. He received a gift of a Kurki with the instruction; Squadron Leader R.E. Lockhart, who saved 11 Platoon in Borneo 1964. Dhanyabed from Major B.C. Jackman, MC, and all ranks C Company 1st Bn 2nd King Edward VII's Own Goorkhas (Dhanysbe is the Gurkha's Sincerest expression of thanks.) Squadron-Leader Lockhart, 48, from Lenarx, today met Major Bruce Jackman of Honrnchurch, Essex, for the first time, though nine years ago and thousands of miles away they were separated by only a few few feet of airspace. In December 1964, during operation against Indonesian insurgents, 11 Platoon was surrounded near the Sarawak border by about 100 well armed enemy. At his company base Bruce Jackman radioed for RAF support, and Bob Lockhart roared in just about the tree tops. However, as the Gurkhas and and the insurgents were so close to each other he could use neither guns nor missiles. So he gambled on a bluff. He flew his Javelin aircraft on five low level, high speed runs, end as he approached for target, Lockhart engaged re-heat (Switched on his after-burners). The result on each occasions, was a thunderous double bang. The insurgents were completely taken in and fled, leaving behind a mass of ammunition they had brought up for the kill. Photo Shows Against a background of a Javelin aircraft, similar to that used in the operation, Squadron Leader Bob Lockhart (center) is pictured after receiving his gift of a Kukri from Corporal Chakrabahadur Pun, a rifleman in all Platoon at the time (left) as they discusses the operation in Borneo with Major Jackman during today's ceremony at RAF Stanmore Park, Middlesex

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Airspace Ammunition Approached Bang Belated Bluff Borneo Completely Corporal Discusses Engaged Feat Flew Gambled Gurkha Gurkhas However Indonesian Instruction Insurgents Jackman Javelin Kukri Level Lockhart Memento Middlesex Missiles Neither Platoon Radioed Ranks Remarkable Rescued Result Rifleman Roared Runs Sarawak Saved Separated Similar Stanmore Target Tops Viis

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