NOSTALGIA MALAYA - TIME LINE

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23 DECEMBER 1941
       
Perak River -
By midmorning the British withdrawal across the Perak River via the lofty Iskandar Bridge, ordered 36 hours earlier, is complete. A gap is blown in the concrete and steel structure to impede the Japanese advance.

24 DECEMBER 1941
       
North of Ipoh -
British Indian troops fight fierce delaying actions against the Imperial Guards in the Chemor area as the Indian 6/15th Brigade digs in and fortifies the chosen Kampar defence position. The Chemor fighting, which extracts heavy losses on both sides, buys time for the continuing British withdrawal of men and supplies, by road and rail from Ipob

25 DECEBER 1941
       
It is anything but a happy Christmas for the British in Malaya. In 18 days the generals from Tokyo have grabbed all Malayan territory lying north and west of the Perak River. They have captured the island of Penang, Province Wellesley on the mainland opposite, together with the states of Perils, Kedah, Kelantan and large chunks of Perak. They have sunk two British capital ships, decimated Britain's aircraft strength and seized all her northern airstrips from where they are now operating their own attack planes. In a few hours the retreating British will have finished destroying all that they can't withdraw from Ipob and this key northern tin mining centre will have fallen to the invaders as well.

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26 dECEMBER 1941
       
Ipoh -
While the Japanese freely rotate front-line men with fresh troops brought down from Siam, British military commanders have no back-up reserves. Percival is deeply troubled over the high casualty rate suffered by Indian forces fighting delaying tactics north of Ipob. He issues orders to all 3rd Indian Corp field commanders to ensure casualties are kept down and units remain as fighting formations. Heeding his instructions, British Indian troops north of Ipob retreat to positions south of the township.

Taiping High School - Yamashita moves his HQ into a Chinese high school at Taiping as his 5th Division occupies Ipob.

27 dECEMBER 1941
       
Taiping -
During a meeting of senior 25th Army officers convened at his Chinese high school HQ. Yamashita reveals his plan for an important switch in battle strategy. He intends sending 1,500 5th Division troops in landing barges, south down the Straits of Malacca. Their mission: to infiltrate behind British lines from the coast. Immediately Yamashita encounters strong opposition to his proposal from a broad cross-section of his staff, particularly his chief planning officer, Colonel Masanobu Tsuji. The Colonel argues that as direct tank and air supported infantry thrusts down the main road are proving so successful, the format should not be changed. He is concerned the landing barges will prove easy targets for British naval patrols. Tsuji urges Yamashita to conserve small craft for the all-important final crossing to Singapore. But Yamashita overrules all opposition and issues the necessary orders. He triggers widespread resentment among his senior staff.


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28 DECEMBER 1941
       
Kampar -
During the morning, the reorganised British Battalion, together with the Indian 6/15th Brigade Group and the Indian 28th Brigade Group, including the Gurkhas, complete construction of their respective defensive positions around Kampar. They are backed by the Lanarkshire Yeomanry's 155th Field Artillery Regiment and gunners from the 88th Field Regiment. With their armoured vehicles the Argylls guard the northern approaches to the town. Kampar will prove to be the strongest British defence position in the campaign and Percival has staked much on its ability to hold and deny the Japanese central Malaya. Ranged against the British defences here are the Imperial Guards, the Okabe Regiment and the Ando Regiment.

29 DECEMBER 1941
       
Battle for Kampar -
Forward patrolling throughout the day by both sides results in frequent skirmishes. Late at night the four-day battle begins. British artillery accurately ranges onto Japanese positions. Invading field commanders are immediately anxious about their front-line casualties.

30 DECEMBER 1941
       
Battle for Kampar -
Japanese direct out-flanking movements to the east of Kampar where they run into patrols from the Indian 28th Brigade Group. Once again accurate British artillery fire plays a dominant role. It inflicts heavy casualties on the Japanese and blocks their encirclement efforts.

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Several section of Kampar ridge were important for British to impulse Japanese trust from Ipoh to Central Malaya ( Kuala Lumpur ). Several improvement were carried out to strength the defence perimeters in Kampar. 3 selected ridge were named as Thompson Ridge, Green Ridge and Cemetery Ridge. These 3 ridge were heavily supported by machinegun post, trenches and pillbox.

Around 1,300 soldiers from several battalions were put into these 3 ridges. 1st Leicester Battalion and 2nd East Surreys Battalion under Lt. Col C.E. Morrison which came from 11th Indian Division. This 2 battalions were retreated from Jitra and Gurun battlefront which heavily losses by 25th Japanese Army. They also supported by C Coy East Surreys under Captan Bruckmann and 88th Field Unit Artillery in Aston Settlement using 2.5 pounders guns.

These Fortress of Kampar battle lasted from 30 December till 2nd January 1942. For a first time, at least 4,000 Japanese troops which from 5th Matsu Division under Col. Kanichi Okabe were taken a heavy toll from these heavy defended ridge. Some suicide mission were failed to penetrate the lines.

Japanese changed their tactic by using seaborne attack which using addition troops landed near Perak River then to Teluk Intan, Lumut and Bagan Datoh which tried to outflanked the British lines in Kampar.

When British realise how slim their chance if they still in Kampar, on night 2nd January 1942, they left the ridge and left to south leaving small garrison to held the Japanese in Kampar.

These battle were costly. Around 650 soldiers killed and many wounded. Japanese lost 500 soldiers and British 150.

petikan dari laman...

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sAMBUNG....30 DECEMBER 1941

Telok Anson -
To meet the Japanese sea borne infiltration threat, the 1st Independent Company is sent to Telok Anson (now Telok Intan).

Kuantan, East Coast -
Arriving from Kota Bahru by trucks, down rough coastal tracks, Japanese Takumi Detachment troops, with orders to seize Kuantan, promptly attack forward defences of the coastal town. Kuantan is defended by the 22nd Brigade of the Indian 9th Division. Simultaneously, Japanese aircraft attack targets in and around the township including the main ferry crossing on the Kuantan River.

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31 DECEMBER 1941
       
Battle for Kampar -
Japanese troops, frustrated by British artillery fire in their attempt to outflank Kampar's eastern defences, launch a major ground attack on the Gurkha perimeter. The Gurkhas, fighting hand-to-hand with drawn kukris, prove more than a match for the attacking force, and repel repeated attempts to overrun their position throughout the day.


Arthur Percival

Tapah -
After spending the night in Kuala Lumpur, Percival is joined by Heath for the drive 100 miles (160 kin) north to Tapah, now the HQ of the Indian 11th Division. Enroute the two generals stop at the vital Kuala Kubu road junction and later inspect its ``last ditch" defence preparations north of Tanjong Malim. They then drive on to Slim River for discussions with Col Stewart, commander of the Indian 12th Brigade. All three agree that if the Japanese are to be prevented from over-running the central Malayan airstrips before the expected allied reinforcement convoy arrives in mid-January, the Kuala Kubu road junction must be held along with the key east-west road.

Kuantan, East Coast -
Japan hurls a ground assault against the Kuantan ferry-crossing. Heavy fighting follows. Other Japanese units thrust into downtown Kuantan. There they are hit by British artillery.

Straits of Malacca -
In a bid to revive Britain's sea-borne commando raid capability and hammer away at Japan's lengthening logistical lines, Japanese vessels lying off Singora. Assessments are that Japan is about to undertake a major reinforcement of the battlefront. Other reports indicate self-propelled small craft, originally off-loaded at Singora, have been tracked overland to the southern Kedak coastline. This immediately raises the likelihood of Japanese sea borne operations down the Straits of Malacca aimed at further infiltration of troops behind British lines.

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1 January 1942
         

Battle for Kampar -
Calling up fresh troops, the Japanese swing the focus of their attentions onto the British Battalions perimeter at 7 pm. Heavy and confused fighting ensues. The Japanese once again have the advantage of almost unopposed air support and possess the only tanks. But Kampar's terrain is proving ideal for artillery and British gunners are a major factor catching several Japanese units in the open, unable to advance or retreat. The Argylls, north of the town, hurl hack attack after attack. By nightfall Kampar's defences remain firmly in British hands.

2 January 1942
       
Battle for Kampar -
The fourth day of the battle sees frantic hut vain efforts by the Japanese to overrun positions held by the British Battalion. A Sikh company of the 1/18th Punjab Regiment throws back a furious attack with a classic bayonet charge through massive mortar and machine-gun fire. Only 30 members of the company survive the action but the position holds. The message from Changkat Jong that evening seals Kampar's fate. The Japanese are directly threatening the main supply route from the south. British gunners lay down intense artillery barrages to mask the inevitable withdrawal. Fearing a major counter attacking the making, exhausted Japanese commanders for the first time in the war, consider retreating. Then to their surprise and relief the British begin pulling back shortly before midnight.

Ipoh -
Yamashita moves his HQ south from Taiping to Ipoh.

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3 January 1942

Kuantan -
The Japanese hurl ferocious attacks on the rearguard of the withdrawing British Indian troops enroute to Jerantut. They also spring two spectacularly successful ambushes along the withdrawal route trapping the 2/12th Frontier Force Regiment. The regiments severely wounded commanding officer, Lt-Col A. B. Cumming, is subsequently awarded the Victoria Cross. Only 40 of his men survive.

4 January 1942
       
Kampar to Slim River Road -
As the British Kampar defenders retreat towards Slim River village their sappers and miners demolish bridges and lay minefields before the advancing Ando and Okabe regiments. While blown bridges delay Japan's tanks, they scarcely affect her front-line infantrymen whose light personal equipment and bicycles make them extremely manoeuvrable.

Kuala Selangor -
Japan's Watanabe Regiment pushes eastwards along the northern bank of the Selangor River for a bitter encounter with a detachment of the Indian 6/15th Brigade at Batang Berjuntai, site of an important bridge.

Slim River -
The British retreat to prepared positions in the Slim River area intensifies with forces withdrawing there from the Telok Anson and Bernam River actions.

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5 January 1942
       
Segamat -
Percival, Heath and Bennett, together with their top staff officers, meet at the Sultan of Johore's Segamat shooting lodge for a critical review of battlefield strategy.

6 January 1942
       
Singapore -
Three days after his appointment as Commander-in-Chief of the joint ABDA (American, British, Dutch, Australian) Allied Command, head quartered at Bandung, Java, General Sir Archibald Wavell prepares for an on-the-spot inspection of the Malayan battlefront.

7 January 1942
       
The Slim River Battle -
Japanese tanks, spearheaded by troops of the Ando Regiment, press down the main north-south trunk route onto British forward defence positions at Trolak (now Terolak). A bright moon illuminates the road. In the heavy fighting several tanks are destroyed. But the advance continues following the arrival of tank reinforcements. For two hours the Argylls blunt the tank drive once more. Fearful losses ultimately force the Scottish defenders into retreat. Somehow a communications breakdown prevents British rear defences receiving reports of the Japanese thrust. As the tanks roll on the British reel back in confusion. At 8.30 am the Slim River road bridge falls to the Japanese intact. Day-long fighting all but wipes out the Indian 11th Division's 12th and 28th Brigades. About 3,200 British troops, mostly Indian, surrender. British losses in equipment are also huge. These include 23 heavy artillery pieces, six  aircraft guns, 50 armoured cars, 550 other motor vehicles and large quantities of food, ammunition and medical supplies. The victorious Japanese once again delightedly proclaim the battle spoils 慍hurchill Supplies." The Slim River debacle blasts away all hopes of saving central Malaya.

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8 January 1942
       
Batu Caves -
Wavell, accompanied by Heath drives from Kuala Lumpur to Batu Caves, HQ of the Indian 11th Division and travels further forward to meet survivors of the Slim River battle. He finds two British brigades together totalling less than 500 shattered men, incapable of withstanding any further attack. Appalled, Wavell orders Heath on the spot to begin planning a huge 150-mile withdrawal to Johore. He intends countermanding Percival's orders issued at the Segamat conference three days earlier, and imposing his own defence ideas. By now Wavell is harbouring serious misgivings about Heath's ability to impose effective counter tactics to the Japanese onslaught. He is also losing confidence in Percival. On the other hand, the British Supreme Commander is impressed by Bennett and intends handing the Australians the responsibility of halting the Japanese advance.

Ipoh -
Yamashita calls an urgent meeting of his senior staff and field commanders following their Slim River victory. The aim is to review strategy for the final battles before Singapore. Once again he hears forceful arguments against sea borne infiltrations. His officers still favour the tried and tested land tactics that have been achieving such spectacular results. Yamashita concedes that 5th Division troops, sent south in barges, encountered severe operational difficulties owing to inexperience with such manoeuvres. But he contends the mere threat they appear to impose has unnerved the British, inspiring further retreats. Once more Yamashita overrules all objections and orders sea-borne infiltrations to continue. His one concession to critics is the replacement of 5th Division troops in the boats by Imperial Guards. Colonel Tsuji is so angered by these developments that he refuses to speak to anyone for 48 hours. Meanwhile Yamashita instructs his 5th Division to press directly towards Kuala Lumpur. He brings the Takumi Detachment from Kuantan, on the east coast, to the trunk road area on the west.

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10 JANUARY 1942
       
Serendah -
Only hours before the withdrawal is due to start, the Japanese attack a Gurkha position at Serendah, just north of Kuala Lumpur. After bitter hand-to-hand fighting, Serendah falls to the invaders. The defenders sustain grim casualties and at day's end, break off to join the general retreat through Kuala Lumpur.

Gemas -
Following another command conference at Segamat, Percival, Heath and Bennett make an on-the-spot inspection of the Gemeneheh River bridge, above Gemas, which the Australian general has chosen as the site for a major ambush of the advancing Japanese.

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For old timers, this is a important bridge connected Kuala Lumpur to Tanjung Malim trunk road. It was located in Serendah town. For now, it was abandoned since the new bridge was built on the left side of the photo above. But many users still used it perhaps it was not busy with motorists.

In ww2, it was a major site for British and the Japanese to hold its ground.

On January 10, the bridge was heavily defended by Gurkhas troops which covered the withdrawals of British troops from Kuala Lumpur to Johore. After a bitter fighting, Japanese managed to capture this vital position and thus making their way opened to Kuala Lumpur. On eyewitness, it was been blown off. It was demolished by British Engineers. Then when the Japanese arrived, they used trucks, cars and lorries and used it as temporary bridge. Then they built another one which still remain till now.

Below the bridge, the remain of the bridge which was blown by retreating British can be seen.

On the north site of this bridge, was standing one memorial stone erected by Japanese troops who inside were remains of some Japanese troops who killed on the attack. After war, the remains were exhumed and taken to Japan but the foundation of the stone still there.

On the south side where I stand to take the photo, some of the graves have been found. Actually 1 of it found near school trees and one near clinic. After the war, British came and dig the grave which they only took the dog tags. Then the graves were reburied back till now. But the eyewitness who saw the scene told me that he can see the soldiers uniform, boot and helmet stil intact when they found it.

After the war, the town was on danger again. Now not from Japanese but from Communist Terrorist.

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11 January 1942
       
Kuala Lumpur -
British Indian forces complete their withdrawal through Kuala Lumpur in the early morning hours and demolish the last bridge there with explosives at 4.30 am. At 8pm troops of the Japanese 5th Division enter the capital and seize its two airfields which are quickly put to use by the Endo Air Group.

Muar -
Japanese aircraft carry out their first strikes against Muar causing a mass exodus of the civilian population to the countryside. British sappers are called in to man the Muar ferries, deserted by their crews.


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12 January 1942
       
Negri Sembilan -
The massive withdrawal underway results in staggering congestion along the main trunk road running south and along the single track rail line to Singapore. Problems are compounded by the need to restrict principal movements to hours of darkness to avoid Japanese air attacks.

Singapore - Some 112 Japanese aircraft direct strikes against Singapore targets during the day.


13 January 1942
       
Singapore -
The US merchant marine convoy arrives in Singapore bringing the British 53rd Infantry Brigade Group (part of the British 18th Division), two anti-aircraft regiments, and the 50 crated Hurricane fighters. The troops, disoriented by 11 weeks at sea, land without transport and artillery pieces which are still in transit aboard slower ships. The Hurricanes are pieced together at sites scattered across Singapore to minimise the chances of air attack. But there are only twenty four available pilots. For a few days the new British aircraft have an impact. Then the infinitely more experienced Japanese pilots size up their opposition and within a fortnight the Hurricanes have been all but eliminated.

Convoys of merchant ships carried war material to all Allied battlefronts.

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14 January 1942
       
Johore -
Australian positions on the latest fall-back defence line (Segamat-Mount Ophir-Muar), together with the new Westforce command structure under Bennett, are ready. The ambush, so vital to Bennett's overall battle strategy, and prepared by the 2/30th Battalion of the Australian 27th Brigade, is lying in wait at the Gemencheh River bridge, 10 miles (16 kin) north of Gemas, on the main north-south trunk road. At 4 am Bennett officially assumes command of the Malayan front.


ASKAR JEPUN SEDIA UNTUK BERGERAK KE SELATAN DENGAN BASIKAL

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14 January 1942

Gemencheh River Bridge -
At about 4 pm a vanguard of some 300 cycling Japanese infantrymen from the Mukaide Detachment pass over the wooden bridge. The hidden Australians allow them through into the planned 慿illing zone" further down the road. After another 500 or so have cycled by, the Australians blow the bridge and in a furious action account for about 700 Japanese killed and the destruction of several tanks. By late evening the Australians, with eight dead and 80 wounded, withdraw to their main force position. It will be the biggest single setback suffered by the Japanese in their Malayan campaign. But, significantly, the Gemencheh River bridge action only briefly delays the invaders' advance...


Hanya yang tinggal ialah sisa-sisa tiang jambatan gemencheh

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Kemenangan Tentera Australia keatas tentera Jepun diabadikan dalam bentuk lukisan......

Ambush at the bridge over the Sungei Gemencheh River,
beyond Gemas, 14 January 1942. Murray Griffin, 1946
[Oil over pencil on hardboard, 123x93cm]

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15 January 1942
       
Gemas -
Australian forces below the Gemencheh River bridge withdraw to positions east of Gemas. Yamashita rushes 5th Division troops, briefly resting in Kuala Lumpur, to the Gemas front where the Mukaide Detachment is on the verge of being wiped out by the Australians.

PERTEMPURAN DI GEMAS

Muar -
Japanese Imperial Guards, advancing from Malacca, hurl back light resistance from forward positions of the newly arrived, untrained Indian 45th Brigade, and quickly command the northern bank of the Muar River, opposite Muar town. Later in the day Australian gunners, supporting the Indians on the southern bank, thwart a Japanese attempted crossing at the mouth of the river by firing point blank at barges filled with invading troops. At night the Japanese successfully transfer forces to the south side, rout two battalions of the Indian 45th Brigade, capture the town and cut the vital Muar-Yong Peng road. What remains of the Indian force retreats to Bakri along with the Australian gunners.

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Tentera Australia yang berkubu di Selatan Malaya muncul sebagai 'Hero' apabila mengambil kesempatan untuk 'ambush' tentera Jepun di lokasi-lokasi strategik seperti di Gemencheh dan Muar.....
Antara Hero depa ialah Lt.Kol. Anderson (gambar foto dan komik di bawah)



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