The Malayan Emergency, with Phil Wang

Few are aware of the secretive conflict that took place in the jungles of Malaysia in the 1940s and 1950s between British colonial forces and communist guerillas. So what tactics were used by both sides? Why was it called an Emergency and not a War? What happened to ordinary civilians caught in the crossfire? And why did this conflict become so important for future counterinsurgency campaigns?

EXPLORE MORE

A member of the Malayan Home Guard mans a check point on the edge of a town. Such check points allowed the authorities to search vehicles and intercept food and supplies being smuggled out to the communist terrorists.
Britain And The Commonwealth Since 1945

A Short Guide To The Malayan Emergency

In June 1948 a state of emergency was declared in Malaya, South East Asia, after the murder of three rubber planters by the Malayan Races’ Liberation Army (MRLA), a guerrilla army pursuing an independent Malaya. 
Pan Cooke - Before The War hero
Podcast Series

IWM Institute presents: Before The War

Before The War is a series exploring the lives of three artists whose worlds were changed by conflict with illustrator @thefakepan.
Conflict of Interest podcast graphic
Podcast Series

Conflict of Interest

A podcast which sees celebrities ask the simple questions about the world's most complex conflicts.