HISTORY

  • OPERATIONAL BACKGROUND

    The RFMF traces its origin to the formation of the Armed Native Constabulary [ANC] that was established in 1871 by Ratu Cakobau who was the leading tribal warlord of the time. The ANC which was commanded by European Officers and was tasked with the conciliation and suppression of hill tribes that were rebellious to Ratu Cakobau’s makeshift government of British settlers and coastal chiefs. After Fiji was ceded to Great Britain in 1874, the ANC was further increased and carried on the task of conciliations operations under the British colonial rule up until 1875.

     

     

     

    WORLD WAR 1

    When WWI broke out in 1914, 700 of Fiji’s European residents left for the trenches. The government had instructed the colonial office not to send native Fijians, but somehow a handful made their way to the action. Among these native Fijians, was a prominent high chief by the name of Ratu Sukuna who would later distinguish himself in government service. Ratu Sukuna, who was studying at Oxford University in UK, tried to enlist in the British Army but was refused. He responded by joining the French Foreign Legion and was eventually decorated with the Medaille Militaire for his actions of bravery. Ratu Sukuna was one of the 35 men to survive from a force of 2,500 Legionnaires. This deployment marked Fiji’s first contribution to world security and peace.

     

    WORLD WAR 2

    In WWII given Fiji’s strategic location, the country came under the military responsibility of NZ and in effect this gave birth to the FMF, who with the assistance of NZDF increased its military capabilities that resulted in the operational deployment with US Forces in the Solomon Islands. This included the First and Second Commando Guerrilla Companies and the First and Third Battalion Fiji Infantry Regiments. Ratu Sukuna was instrumental in sending Fijian soldiers overseas during WWII because he believed that Fijians would never be taken seriously until they had spilled blood. The Malayan Campaign Life had barely returned to normal in the years following WWII when Fiji soldiers were again called to arms. The “Emergency” as it was called in Malaya, began in 1948. The British-Malayan negotiations for an independent Malaya were opposed by the Chinese living in Malaya and by communist guerrillas. Britain then began assembling colonial forces to combat the guerrillas and wanted troops experienced in jungle fighting. The 1st Battalion Fiji Infantry Regiment arrived in January 1952. The Fiji Battalion pulled out from Malaya in 1956 due to the possible unrest in Fiji caused by the long absence of these soldiers from Fiji.

     

    CHRISTMAS ISLAND DEPLOYMENT

    In 1958, the FMF deployed over 300 troops to Christmas Island as part of the British Nuclear Testing Programme. They were mainly employed in engineering construction and naval surveillance. The Fiji Military Forces then remain dormant for a period of 20 years until 1978.

     

     

     

     

     

     

    RFMF PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS

    Fiji first participation in Peacekeeping Operations came in 1978 when Fiji was invited by the United Nations to deploy to Southern Lebanon to be part of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon. Our participation lasted for 24 years and the RFMF pulled out in December 2002 after the United Nations had decided to reduce the composition of the force in UNIFIL. In 1982, after the signing of the US brokered Camp David Accord between Israel and Egypt, the 2nd Battalion Fiji Infantry Regiment was deployed into Sinai as part of the MFO. The Battalion is still there at present. The UNIFIL & MFO deployment laid the foundation for Fiji’s reputation in Peace Support Operations. The RFMF’s history or origins was one of internal stability to protect foreign, mainly colonial investments in the country. Over the years, it has proven itself capable in war and peace operations overseas through the determination and will of the Fijian soldier. However, developments in Peacekeeping operations to a more robust and more popular Peace-Enforcement operations has seen the RFMF in a more static, guarding role. This is so because the RFMF lack the robust capabilities.