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Endnotes to Chapter Twelve, From Defeat to Disaster
Page 244: 1st paragraph: "they were in for a fight"
1. AWM, 52/8/2/27, 27th Brigade AIF War Diary,
15 January 1942; 67/3/25, part 1, Bennett diary, 14 January 1942; 54/553/5/23,
part 2, Thyer report, ch. II; AWM, 73/51, Galleghan interview; 54/553/5/1,
Interview with W.S. Melville, OC D Company 2/30 AIF, n/d; 54/553/5/25, Malayan
campaign narrative; 54/553/5/5, Malayan campaign summary [Kappe, n/d]; 73/8,
Japanese Times and Advertiser, 8 April 1942; PRO, WO172/20, Malaya Command
War Diary Appendix H 27, 15 January 1942; CAB106/153, Bennett to Sturdee, 15
January 1942; Percival, Despatch; SCSC, Outline of the Malayan
Campaign; JM, Number 54, Malaya Operations Record; Tsuji,
193; Penfold et al, 85-102; Wigmore, 214-16; Uhr, 83-89.
Page 245: 1st paragraph: "one of the best the defence had yet
found"
2. SCSC, Outline of the Malayan Campaign JM, Number
54, Malaya Operations Record; Tsuji, 193-94; AWM, 52/8/2/27, 27th
Brigade AIF War Diary, 15 January 1942; 52/8/3/26, 2/26 AIF War Diary, 15
January 1942; 67/3/25, part 1, Bennett diary, 15 January 1942; 54/553/5/23, part
2, Thyer report, ch. II; 54/553/5/25, Malayan campaign narrative; PRO, WO172/20,
Malaya Command War Diary Appendices U 26, F 27, H 27, 15 January, L 27, 16
January 1942; CAB106/153, Bennett to Sturdee, 15 January 1942; CAB106/151, Moses
diary, 16 January 1942; CAB106/80, Heath notes; Percival, Despatch;
Penfold et al, ch. VIII-IX; Frei, 63.
2nd paragraph: "and undone by strategic threats elsewhere"
3. PRO, CAB106/153, Bennett to Sturdee, 15 January 1942.
Typical expressions of the apology include AWM, 54/553/5/14, Bennett Report,
54/553/5/5, Malayan campaign summary, 54/553/5/25, Malayan campaign narrative,
67/3/25, part 1, Bennett diary, 18 and 20 January 1942, and Percival,
Despatch.
Page 246: 1st paragraph: "‘to extricate itself at first light’"
4. AWM, 52/8/2/27, 27th Brigade AIF War Diary,
16-18 January 1942; 52/8/3/26, 2/26 AIF War Diary, 16-18 January 1942; 67/3/25,
part 1, Bennett diary, 16-18 January 1942; 54/553/5/23, part 2, Thyer report, ch.
II; PRO, WO172/20, Malaya Command War Diary Appendix Y 29, 17 January 1942;
WO172/38, 9th Indian Division G Branch War Diary, 16-19 January 1942;
WO172/127, 5th Sikhs War Diary, 16-18 January 1942; Penfold, 135-42;
Magarry, 81-82.
2nd indented quote: "No withdrawal plans had been discussed."
5. J. Wyett, Staff Wallah at the Fall of Singapore,
New South Wales, 1996, 66.
2nd paragraph: "after only five days"
6. AWM, 52/8/2/27, 27th Brigade AIF War Diary,
18-21 January 1942; 52/8/3/26, 2/26 AIF War Diary, 18-21 January 1942;
54/553/2/3, Bennett to Sturdee, 19 January 1942; 54/553/5/23, part 2, Thyer
report, ch. II; 67/3/25, part 1, Bennett diary, 18-21 January 1942; PRO,
WO172/20, Malaya Command War Diary Appendices G 29, W 29, 17 January, W 30, D
31, F 31, 18 January, Q 32, S 32, T 32, 19 January, G 33, 20 January, V 34, 21
January 1942; WO172/38, 9th Indian Division G Branch War Diary, 19-22
January 1942; WO172/127, 5th Sikhs War Diary, 19-21 January 1942;
CAB106/192, Painter report; JM, Number 54, Malaya Operations Record; SCSC,
Outline of the Malayan Campaign; Tsuji, 195-96.
2nd paragraph: "impressed both enemy and friendly infantry"
7. PRO, AIR23/3578, RAF Far East Log, 16-21 January 1942;
CAB106/86, Maltby Despatch; AWM, 52/8/3/26, 2/26 AIF War Diary, 16 January 1942;
54/553/5/23, part 2, Thyer report, ch. II; 54/553/5/16, Bennett Report;
54/553/5/5, Malayan campaign summary; 67/3/25, part 1, Bennett diary, 16 January
1942; SCSC, Outline of the Malayan Campaign.
Page 247: 1st paragraph: "but was never likely to materialise
anyway"
8. AWM, 54/553/5/16, Bennett Report; 54/553/5/23, part 2,
Thyer report, ch. II. Magarry, 84, reports the troops frustration.
2nd paragraph: "to pin the defenders there"
9. Tsuji, 199-201; SCSC, Outline of the Malyan Campaign;
JM, Number 54, Malaya Operations Record.
2nd paragraph: "‘in view activity that front’"
10. AWM, 52/8/2/22, 22nd Brigade AIF War Diary,
14-15 January 1942; 52/8/3/18, 2/18 AIF War Diary, 14-15 January 1942;
54/553/5/23, part 2, Thyer report, ch. II; 54/553/5/5, Malayan campaign summary;
54/553/5/25, Malayan campaign narrative; 67/3/25, part 1, Bennett diary, 16
January 1942; PRO, WO172/20, Malaya Command War Diary Appendices H 27, J 27, 15
January 1942. Bennett complained "Landing at Endau is holding 22 Brigade there":
CAB106/153, Bennett to Sturdee, 17 January 1942.
3rd paragraph: "‘as this area is key to whole position’"
11. PRO, WO172/20, Malaya Command War Diary Appendix H 27,
15 January 1942.
Page 248: 1st paragraph: "move back to the junction at Jemaluang"
12. AWM, 52/8/2/22, 22nd Brigade AIF War Diary,
18 January 1942; 52/8/3/18, 2/18 AIF War Diary, 18 January 1942; 54/553/5/23,
part 2, Thyer report, ch. II.
2nd paragraph: "fresh troops in a strong position"
13. Percival, Despatch.
1st indented quote: "rendered the majority of the mines useless"
14. AWM, 52/8/3/18, 2/18 AIF War Diary, 21 January 1942;
52/5/13/10, 2/10 Field Coy. RAE War Diary, 12-15 January 1942; 54/553/5/23, part
2, Thyer report, ch. II; 54/553/5/5, Malayan campaign summary; 54/553/5/25,
Malayan campaign narrative; 54/553/5/14, O’Brien interview; PRO, WO172/20,
Malaya Command War Diary Appendix J 27, 15 January 1942.
2nd indented quote: "bombed with no effect on us"
15. AWM, 52/8/2/22, 22nd Brigade AIF War Diary,
15-18 January 1942; 52/8/3/18, 2/18 AIF War Diary, 15-20 January 1942;
52/5/13/10, 2/10 Field Coy. RAE War Diary, 15-20 January 1942; 54/553/5/23, part
2, Thyer report, ch. II; 54/553/5/25, Malayan campaign narrative; 54/553/5/14,
O’Brien interview; PRO, WO172/20, Malaya Command War Diary Appendices M 27, 16
January, G 29, Z 29, 17 January, T 32, 19 January 1942; WO172/19, Malaya Command
War Diary 14-18 January 1942.
Page 249: Indented quote: "as soon as his preparations were complete"
16. AWM, 52/8/2/22, 22nd Brigade AIF War Diary,
21 January 1942; 52/8/3/18, 2/18 AIF War Diary, 19-22 January 1942; 54/553/5/23,
part 2, Thyer report, ch. II; 54/553/5/5, Malayan campaign summary; 54/553/5/25,
Malayan campaign narrative; 54/553/5/14, O’Brien interview; PRO, WO172/20,
Malaya Command War Diary Appendix X 34, 21 January 1942; Uhr, 155-56.
1st paragraph: "making the Japanese earn the ground"
17. AWM, 52/8/2/22, 22nd Brigade AIF War Diary,
15-18 January 1942; 52/8/3/18, 2/18 AIF War Diary, 17-180 January 1942;
52/8/3/19, 2/19 AIF War Diary, 18 January 1942; 54/553/5/23, part 2, Thyer
report, ch. II; 54/553/5/25, Malayan campaign narrative; 54/553/5/14, O’Brien
interview.
3rd paragraph: "moving towards Batu Pahat"
18. PRO, WO172/137, 45th Indian Brigade War
Diary, 15-16 January 1942; WO172/140, 4/9 Jats War Diary, 15-16 January 1942;
WO172/141, 5/18 Royal Garwhals War Diary, 15-16 January 1942; WO172/20, Malaya
Command War Diary Appendix F 27, 15 January 1942; JM, Number 54, Malaya
Operations Record; SCSC, Outline of the Malayan Campaign; Tsuji,
202-03.
Page 250: 3rd paragraph: "the latter towards Parit Jawa"
19. PRO, WO172/137, 45th Indian Brigade War
Diary, 16 January 1942; WO172/139, 7/6 Rajputs War Diary, 16 January 1942;
WO172/140, 4/9 Jats War Diary, 16 January 1942; WO172/141, 5/18 Royal Garwhals
War Diary, 16 January 1942; WO172/142, 38th Field Ambulance War
Diary, 16 January 1942; JM, Number 54, Malaya Operations Record; SCSC,
Outline of the Malayan Campaign; Tsuji, 202-03.
3rd paragraph: "in the back of Percival’s mind"
20. PRO, WO172/137, 45th Indian Brigade War
Diary, 16 January 1942; WO172/140, 4/9 Jats War Diary, 16 January 1942;
WO172/141, 5/18 Royal Garwhals War Diary, 16 January 1942; AWM, 52/8/3/19, 2/19
AIF War Diary, 21 January 1942; AWM, 67/3/25, part I, Bennett diary, 16-17
January 1942.
Page 251: 1st paragraph: "already being vigorously probed by the
enemy"
21. PRO, PRO, WO172/137, 45th Indian Brigade War
Diary, 17 January 1942; WO172/139, 7/6 Rajputs War Diary, 17 January 1942;
WO172/140, 4/9 Jats War Diary, 17 January 1942; WO172/141, 5/18 Royal Garwhals
War Diary, 17 January 1942; WO172/20, Malaya Command War Diary Appendices V 27,
16 January, L 29, 17 January 1942; AIR23/3578, RAF Far East log, 16 January
1942.
1st paragraph: "now faced imminent attack by a stronger force"
22. PRO, WO172/137, 45th Indian Brigade War
Diary, 17 January 1942; WO172/140, 4/9 Jats War Diary, 17 January 1942;
WO172/141, 5/18 Royal Garwhals War Diary, 17 January 1942; R.W. Christie
(editor), A History of the 2/29 Battalion–8th Australian Division AIF,
Victoria, 1991 (1983), 39-43.
2nd paragraph: "Granted the Guards could count on strong tank and
air support."
23. JM, Number 54, Malaya Operations Record; SCSC,
Outline of the Malayan Campaign.
Page 252: "‘owing to capture of Muar by the enemy’"
24. PRO, WO172/20, Malaya Command War Diary Appendices U
27, 16 January, U 28, G 29, 17 January 1942; AWM, 52/8/3/19, 2/19 AIF War Diary,
21 January 1942; AWM, 67/3/25, part I, Bennett diary, 16-17 January 1942;
Percival, Despatch.
2nd paragraph: "‘if this comes off situation will be eased"
25. PRO, WO172/20, Malaya Command War Diary Appendices T
29, W 29, Y 29, 17 January 1942; WO172/139, 7/6 Rajputs War Diary, 17 January
1942; AWM, 67/3/25, part I, Bennett diary, 17 January 1942.
3rd paragraph: "the enemy broke through"
26. AWM, 52/8/2/22, 22nd Brigade AIF War Diary,
15-18 January 1942; 52/8/3/19, 2/19 AIF War Diary, 18 January 1942; 52/10/11/12,
2/2 Reserve Motor Transport Company War Diary, 16-18 January 1942.
Page 253: 1st paragraph: "all along the arc covering Bakri"
27. AWM, 52/8/3/19, 2/19 AIF War Diary, 18 January 1942;
54/553/2/3, Bennett to Sturdee, 19 January 1942; 67/3/25, part I, Bennett diary,
18 January 1942; JM, Number 54, Malaya Operations Record; SCSC,
Outline of the Malayan Campaign; Tsuji, 203-05; Christie, 43-45; Moremon &
Reid, 68-69; Uhr, 119-21; Warren, 164-66. Ironically, neither Galleghan, at
Gemas, nor Roberston were at first very interested in anti-tank gun support.
This may well have been due to ignorance of the details of Jitra and Slim River,
which if true reflected poorly on Malaya Command staff work.
Indented quote: "very accurate arty concentrations"
28. PRO, WO172/137, 45th Indian Brigade War
Diary, 18-19 January 1942; WO172/139, 7/6 Rajputs War Diary, 19 January 1942;
WO172/140, 4/9 Jats War Diary, 18-19 January 1942; WO172/141, 5/18 Royal
Garwhals War Diary, 18 January 1942; WO172/20, Malaya Command War Diary
Appendices R 30, W 30, X 30, A 31, B 31, D 31, F 31, G 31, 18 January 1942;
AIR23/3578, RAF Far East log, 18 January 1942; AWM, 52/8/3/19, 2/19 AIF War
Diary, 18-19 January 1942.
Page 254: Indented quote: "across their line of retreat"
29. Tsuji, 203.
1st paragraph: "trying to cut it off"
30. AWM, 52/8/3/19, 2/19 AIF War Diary, 19 January 1942.
There are four accounts in this document: a six page diary with maps; a brief
diary by the RMO; a two page diary labelled Appendix A, written by A Echelon,
and an 11 page diary labelled Appendix B, written by B Echelon. The first and
the last disagree on a few points of detail, noted below. Warren, 168.
2nd paragraph: "The fight raged on all afternoon."
31. PRO, WO172/137, 45th Indian Brigade War
Diary, 18-20 January 1942; PRO, WO172/20, Malaya Command War Diary Appendix B
32, 19 January 1942; JM, Number 55, Southwest Area Air Operations Record;
JM, Number 54, Malaya Operations Record; SCSC, Outline of the Malayan
Campaign.
2nd paragraph: ordered Anderson to ‘withdraw on Yong Peng.’"
32. Communications were as always decisive. The AIF used
type 109 radio sets and high grade cyphers. PRO, WO172/88, 5th
Norfolks War Diary, Savory notes, indicates the British equivalent, No. 18
wireless set, let the new arrivals down badly: "made useless by the damp
atmosphere unless dried in the sun all morning, after which they could only be
used over a radius of about one mile during the afternoon." It took more than
eight hours for the order to withdraw to reach Anderson: PRO, WO172/20, Malaya
Command War Diary Appendix Q 32, 19 January 1942; WO172/137, 45th
Indian Brigade War Diary, 19 January 1942; AIR23/3578, RAF Far East log, 19
January 1942; AWM, 52/8/3/19, 2/19 AIF War Diary, 19 January 1942; 54/553/2/3,
Bennett to Sturdee, 19 January 1942; 67/3/25, part I, Bennett diary, 19 January
1942; Christie, 45-49; Warren, 170; Moremon & Reid, 69.
Page 255: 1st paragraph: "in a vice and annihilate it"
33. AWM, 52/8/3/19, 2/19 AIF War Diary, 19 January 1942;
PRO, WO172/20, Malaya Command War Diary Appendix A 33, 20 January 1942; JM,
Number 54, Malaya Operations Record; SCSC, Outline of the Malayan
Campaign.
2nd paragraph: "then rush the bridge"
34. A Blenheim flying over the road could have told
Anderson what lay ahead had it been able to contact him. It spotted the ruins of
the battle of the support elements the day before, including 30 smashed up
trucks, seven road blocks nearby, and enemy vehicles just outside Bakri. It also
spotted friendly vehicles at the Parit Sulong bridge, and enemy scouts cycling
down the road in that direction: PRO, WO172/20, Malaya Command War Diary
Appendix A 33, 20 January 1942; a request by Anderson for an attack on Bakri and
a reconnaissance overflight from Bakri to the bridge only reached Malaya Command
at 1225hrs: Appendix D 33, 20 January 1942. RAF Far East finally sent six
Buffalos at 1500hrs, which engaged enemy bombers but did not strafe
Anderson’s opposition: AIR23/3578, RAF Far East log, 20 January 1942; WO172/139,
7/6 Rajputs War Diary, 20 January 1942; AWM, 52/8/3/19, 2/19 AIF War Diary, 20
January 1942.
3rd paragraph: "with few surviving officers, were nearly spent"
35. JM, Number 54, Malaya Operations Record; SCSC,
Outline of the Malayan Campaign; PRO, WO172/137, 45th Indian
Brigade War Diary, 20-21 January 1942; AWM, 52/8/3/19, 2/19 AIF War Diary, 20-21
January 1942.
Page 256: 1st paragraph: "where there was no cover from the air"
36. AWM, 52/8/3/19, 2/19 AIF War Diary, 20 January 1942.
The main diary and Appendix A record slightly different timings and details on
the two road block battles. PRO, WO172/137, 45th Indian Brigade War
Diary, 20 January 1942; WO172/139, 7/6 Rajputs War Diary, 20 January 1942.
Page 257: 1st paragraph: "The battlegroup would have to break
through by itself."
37. AWM, 52/8/3/19, 2/19 AIF War Diary, 21 January 1942.
The main diary says Anderson went to the bridge with the Malays and was
ambushed; Appendix B differs. PRO, WO172/20, Malaya Command War Diary Appendices
N 33, 20 January , V 34, 21 January 1942.
2nd paragraph: "The battlegroup was trapped and being destroyed."
38. AWM, 52/8/3/19, 2/19 AIF War Diary, 21 January 1942;
54/553/2/3, Bennett to Sturdee, 21 January 1942; PRO, WO172/20, Malaya Command
War Diary Appendices`D 33, 20 January, W 34, 21 January 1942; WO172/139, 7/6
Rajputs War Diary, 21 January 1942; AIR23/3578, RAF Far East log, 18-21 January
1942.
3rd paragraph: "to clear the bridge after dawn"
39. AWM, 52/8/3/19, 2/19 AIF War Diary, 21-22 January 1942;
54/553/2/3, Bennett to Sturdee, 21 January 1942; PRO, WO172/137, 45th
Indian Brigade War Diary, 21-22 January 1942; Wyett, 68-69; Braddon, 68-75.
Page 258: 1st paragraph: "were busy protecting an incoming convoy"
40. PRO, AIR23/3578, RAF Far East log, 21 January 1942;
CAB106/86, Maltby Despatch.
1st paragraph: "‘the force went out as a force’"
41. AWM, 52/8/3/19, 2/19 AIF War Diary, 22 January 1942.
Bennett did not finally give Anderson permission to escape, and advice on a
route, until 1100hrs: 54/553/2/3, Bennett to Sturdee, 22 January 1942; PRO,
WO172/139, 7/6 Rajputs War Diary, 22 January 1942; Wyett, 69-70. Other accounts
of the fighting retreat include 54/553/5/23, part 2, Thyer Report, ch. II;
Christie, 49-55, 71-81; Braddon, 64-89; Moremon & Reid, 71-75; Wigmore, 236-49;
Uhr, 129-38; Warren,172-77.
2nd paragraph: "out of more than 4,500 committed to battle"
42. 45th Indian Brigade and battalion war
diaries give casualty figures. They also testify to the weight of Japanese air
attacks and reconnaissance. Casualty figures vary slightly in the different
Australian reports written after the action and in the published sources used
here, 45th Indian Brigade figures less so. Part of the confusion was
caused by the trickle of escaping troops making it back to friendly positions
many days after the evacuation of Parit Sulong. One account is in Christie,
81-84.
Page 259: 1st paragraph: "it was a war of extermination"
43. Tsuji, 205-06; Wigmore, 249; Warren, 177, rightly notes
this was one battle in which the Japanese "received as good as they gave."
1st paragraph: "This enemy was ferocious in every sense of the
word."
44. G. Mant, The Singapore Surrender, Kuala Lumpur,
1992 (reprint), is a long account written by a journalist and 8th
Australian Division veteran who interviewed Hackney; Warren, 176-77; Moremon &
Reid, 75-76.
2nd paragraph: "to retreat to Yong Peng"
45. Percival, Despatch.
Page 260: 1st paragraph: "by seizing Bukit Pelandok junction"
46. JM, Number 54, Malaya Operations Record; SCSC,
Outline of the Malayan Campaign.
2nd paragraph: "taking over the Parit Sulong bridge"
47. PRO, WO172/20, Malaya Command War Diary Appendices G
27, H 27, 15 January, V 28, W 28, L 29, Y 29, Z 29, 17 January, W 30, A 31, D
31, F 31, G 31, 18 January 1942; WO172/144, 53rd Brigade Narrative,
13-17 January 1942; CAB106/56, 11th Indian Division history, ch. 18; Percival,
Despatch; AWM, 54/553/5/23, part 2, Thyer Report, ch. II; 67/3/25, part
I, Bennett diary, 17 January 1942.
Page 261: 1st paragraph: "to report 53rd Brigade was
already in contact"
48. PRO, WO172/20, Malaya Command War Diary Appendix Q 32,
19 January 1942; WO172/123, 3/16 Punjabi War Diary, 14-19 January 1942;
WO172/147, 2nd Loyals War Diary, 13-19 January 1942; 67/3/25, part I,
Bennett diary, 19 January 1942; Percival, Despatch.
2nd paragraph: "‘if you can spare the time’"
49. PRO, WO172/20, Malaya Command War Diary Appendix P 32,
19 January 1942.
Page 262: 1st paragraph: "and was also short of carriers"
50. PRO, WO172/20, Malaya Command War Diary Appendices A
26, 14 January, G 31, 18 January 1942; WO172/144, 53rd Brigade
Narrative, 13-19 January 1942; WO172/88, 5th Norfolks War Diary plus
Savory notes, 13-19 January 1942; WO172/89, 6th Norfolks War Diary
plus Stacey notes, 13-19 January 1942; WO172/79, 287th Field Coy RE
War Diary, 18-20 January 1942; CAB106/56, 11th Indian Division history, ch. 18;
Percival, Despatch; AWM, 54/553/5/23, part 2, Thyer Report, ch. II.
2nd paragraph: "the implication speaks for itself"
51. PRO, WO172/144, 53rd Brigade Narrative, 18
January 1942. Malaya Command relied on the Malayan Survey Department for
militarily useful maps. They placed an order for 100,000 maps in early 1941, but
made no attempt to duplicate and disperse the machinery by which the sheets were
drawn and printed. After the evacuation of Kuala Lumpur, two train cars full of
maps and machinery were lost on a siding somewhere near Tampin. Maps remained in
desperately short supply to the end: Percival, Despatch; personal account
by Chris Nobler, former Surveyor-General Malaya, March 1972; T. Kitching,
Life and Death in Changi: The War and Internment Diary of Thomas Kitching
1942-1944 (edited by Goh Eck Kheng), Singapore, 2002.
Page 263: 1st paragraph: "were of little value isolated at Parit
Sulong"
52. PRO, WO172/144, 53rd Brigade Narrative, 18
January 1942; WO172/89, 6th Norfolks War Diary plus [Stacey notes],
17-18 January 1942; AWM, 54/553/5/23, part 2, Thyer Report, ch. II.
2nd paragraph: "still held the objective the Punjabis now stormed"
53. PRO, WO172/144, 53rd Brigade Narrative, 19
January 1942; WO172/89, 6th Norfolks War Diary plus Stacey notes, 19
January 1942; WO172/123, 3/16 Punjabi War Diary, 19 January 1942; WO172/20,
Malaya Command War Diary Appendix Y 32, 20 January 1942; AWM, 54/553/5/23, part
2, Thyer Report, ch. II.
Page 264: 1st paragraph: "Duke pulled back between the defile and
the causeway."
54. PRO, WO172/144, 53rd Brigade Narrative, 20
January 1942; WO172/89, 6th Norfolks War Diary plus Stacey notes, 19
January 1942; WO172/123, 3/16 Punjabi War Diary, 20 January 1942; WO172/147, 2nd
Loyals War Diary, 20 January 1942; CAB106/56, 11th Indian Division
history, ch. 18; AWM, 54/553/5/23, part 2, Thyer Report, ch. II; JM, Number 54,
Malaya Operations Record; SCSC, Outline of the Malayan Campaign. A
2nd Loyals officer asked the pertinent question "Why had we allowed
the Japs to reach this the most important high ground within 50 miles radius
while we had so many troops on the far side"? Wade, 27.
1st paragraph: "unopposed at 1600hrs"
55. JM, Number 54, Malaya Operations Record; SCSC,
Outline of the Malayan Campaign.
2nd paragraph: "‘was lacking in enterprise and dash"
56. AWM, 54/553/5/23, part 2, Thyer Report, ch. II.
2nd paragraph: "hours before the enemy appeared"
57. PRO, WO172/147, 2nd Loyals War Diary,
passim; WO172/102, 2/16 Punjabi War Diary, 14-17 January 1942; WO172/123, 3/16
Punjabi War Diary, 14-21 January 1942; WO172/144, 53rd Brigade
Narrative, 18-20 January 1942; WO172/89, 6th Norfolks War Diary,
Stacey notes, 18-20 January 1942.
Page 265: 1st paragraph: "‘under the Bde Comdr’s orders’"
58. PRO, WO172/89, 6th Norfolks War Diary,
Stacey notes, 18-22 January 1942; WO172/144, 53rd Brigade Narrative,
18-20 January 1942; CAB106/56, 11th Indian Division history, ch. 18.
The commanding officer did return to duty on 24 January and directed his unit
through a difficult retreat until falling ill on 1 February.
2nd paragraph: "just how much this influenced Duke"
59. PRO, WO172/20, Malaya Command War Diary Appendices G
33, N 33, 20 January 1942; AWM, 67/3/25, part I, Bennett diary, 20 January 1942;
Percival, Despatch.
2nd paragraph: "how today’s battle in the [Bukit Pelandok]area
goes"
60. PRO, WO172/20, Malaya Command War Diary Appendix V 34,
21 January 1942; AWM, 67/3/25, part I, Bennett diary, 20-21 January 1942;
Percival, Despatch.
3rd paragraph: "who could rebuild 11th Indian Division"
61. PRO, CAB106/80, Heath notes; CAB106/56, 11th
Indian Division history, ch. 17.
Page 266: 1st paragraph: "and hope for the best"
62. PRO, CAB106/56, 11th Indian Division
history, ch. 18.; WO172/144, 53rd Brigade Narrative, 18-21 January
1942; WO172/20, Malaya Command War Diary Appendices T 32, 19 January, W 34, 21
January 1942. There is one intriguing mystery recorded in Appendix N 33, 20
January 1942, a situation report from an 11th Indian Division staff
officer: "At 1330hrs another counterattack was ordered but was cancelled: Div
Commander [Key] went forward and decided in view of the ‘scrubby nature’ of the
defile and hills to hold further back ..." No other record indicates Key was on
the scene at that time. AWM, 54/553/5/23, part 2, Thyer Report, ch. II; 67/3/25,
part I, Bennett diary, 19-21 January 1942; Percival, Despatch.
2nd paragraph: Unfortunately it did not prove so for the enemy."
63. PRO, WO172/144, 53rd Brigade Narrative,
21-22 January 1942; WO172/89, 6th Norfolks War Diary plus Stacey
notes, 21-22 January 1942; WO172/147, 2nd Loyals War Diary, 21-22
January 1942; WO172/20, Malaya Command War Diary Appendix Z 35, 22 January 1942;
CAB106/56, 11th Indian Division history, ch. 18.; AWM, 54/553/5/23,
part 2, Thyer Report, ch. II; in 73/20, Thyer to Wigmore, n/d, Thyer insisted
Elrington, commanding officer 2nd Loyals, covered up because his
battalion had not trained well in Singapore and was not ready to fight. Another
Australian staff officer found the new British arrivals to be badly rattled. The
engineers who blew the bridge prematurely on 18 January remained so shaken by
their situation–one officer kept worrying about being attacked by tigers from
nearby jungle–they gave him anxious moments as he tried to keep the route open
for Anderson’s stragglers as long as possible: Wyett, 69-70.
Page 267: 1st paragraph: "‘training had probably been on more
deliberate lines’"
64. IWM, Percival Papers, P 22, F 42, comments on official
history draft, 2 December 1953; P. 23, F. 48, Percival to Kirby, 4 September
1954. In his despatch, Percival repeated 53rd Brigade’s excuse for
the morning of 22 January almost verbatim.
1st paragraph: "fought with resolution and good fieldcraft"
65. JM, Number 55, Southwest Area Air Operations;
PRO, AIR23/3578, RAF Far East log, 16-22 January 1942; WO172/144, 53rd
Brigade Narrative, 18-22 January 1942; WO172/89, 6th Norfolks War
Diary plus Stacey notes, 17-22 January 1942; WO172/137, 45th Indian
Brigade War Diary, 15-19 January 1942; CAB106/86, Maltby Despatch; AWM,
52/8/3/19, 2/19 AIF War Diary, 19-22 January 1942; 54/553/5/23, part 2, Thyer
Report, ch. II; Magarry, 99, on constant harassment from the air.
2nd indented quote: "cannot continue for long"
66. AWM, 54/553/2/3, Bennett to Sturdee, 19 January 1942.
Page 268: 1st paragraph: "‘Corps wants the lot and he will get
it.’"
67. AWM, 67/3/25, part I, Bennett diary, 17, 19 January
1942; PRO, WO172/20, Malaya Command War Diary Appendix Q 32, 19 January 1942.
2nd paragraph: "‘they did not want to attack’"
68. PRO, WO172/20, Malaya Command War Diary Appendix C 33,
20 January 1942; CAB106/56, 11th Indian Division history, ch. 18,
complains that during the battle their liaison officer at Westforce headquarters
was "bombarded by complaints" from Bennett about the division’s performance; AWM,
67/3/25, part I, Bennett diary, 16, 21-22 January 1942.
Page 269: 2nd indented quote: "our only lack is numbers"
69. AWM, 54/553/2/3, Bennett to Sturdee, 19-21 January
1942; 52/8/2/27, 27th Brigade AIF War Diary, 20 January 1942;
52/8/3/26, 2/26 AIF War Diary, 20-21 January 1942; 54/553/5/23, part 2, Thyer
report, ch. II.
3rd indented quote: "all others being unreliable"
70. AWM, 67/3/25, part I, Bennett diary, 22 January 1942;
54/553/2/3, Bennett to Sturdee, 22 January 1942.
Page 270: 2nd paragraph: "Wavell had to insist Percival continue
the fight."
71. PRO, WO172/19, Malaya Command War Diary, 19 January
1942; WO172/20, Malaya Command War Diary Appendices, Map B, 18 January, M 36, 22
January 1942; CAB106/ 38, Wavell Despatch; IWM, Percival Papers, P. 22, F. 42,
comments on official history draft, 2 December 1953; PT, vol. 1, Wavell to
Churchill, 19 January 1942.
Page 271: 1st paragraph: "Heath would direct subsequent operations
on the mainland."
72. PRO, WO172/20, Malaya Command War Diary Appendices V
34, 21 January, W 35, 22 January 1942; Percival, Despatch.
2nd paragraph: "which satisfied neither subordinate"
73. PRO, WO172/20, Malaya Command War Diary Appendix B 36,
22 January 1942; CAB106/80, Heath notes; AWM, 67/3/25, part I, Bennett diary, 22
January 1942.
Page 272: 1st paragraph: "Bennett especially looked out for number
one."
74. PRO, WO172/20, Malaya Command War Diary Appendices X
34, 21 January, Y 35, K 36, M 36, 22 January 1942; WO172/88, 5th
Norfolks War Diary, 21-22 January 1942; WO172/138, 2nd Cambs War
Diary, 21-22 January 1942; CAB106/56, 11th Indian Division history,
ch. 18; AWM, 52/8/3/26, 2/26 AIF War Diary, 22 January 1942; 54/553/5/23, part
2, Thyer report, ch. II; 67/3/25, part I, Bennett diary, 22 January 1942.
2nd paragraph: "essential to hold but easy to assault"
75. Percival, Despatch.
2nd paragraph: "set about making a nuisance of itself"
76. JM, Number 54, Malaya Operations Record; SCSC,
Outline of the Malayan Campaign; PRO, WO172/20, Malaya Command War Diary
Appendices H 27, 15 January, U 27, 16 January 1942; Percival, Despatch;
Tsuji, 211.
3rd paragraph: "to well and truly conceal itself"
77. PRO, WO172/100, British Battalion War Diary, 16 January
1942.
Page 273: 1st paragraph: "‘have NOT been found’"
78. PRO, WO172/20, Malaya Command War Diary Appendices V
28, W 28, G 29, L 29, W 29, 17 January 1942; WO172/100, British Battalion War
Diary, 17 January 1942; WO172/138, 2nd Cambs War Diary, 16-17 January
1942.
2nd paragraph: "which must have done wonders for morale"
79. PRO, WO172/20, Malaya Command War Diary Appendices Z
29, 17 January, W 30, B 31, 18 January 1942; WO172/100, British Battalion War
Diary, 18-19 January 1942; WO172/116, 155 Field Regt. War Diary, 16-19 January
1942; WO172/138, 2nd Cambs War Diary, 17-19 January 1942; Percival,
Despatch.
2nd paragraph: "when it heard about the debacle at Bakri"
80. PRO, WO172/20, Malaya Command War Diary Appendix G 33,
20 January 1942; WO172/88, 5th Norfolks War Diary, 19-20 January
1942;WO172/100, British Battalion War Diary, 19-20 January 1942; WO172/116, 155
Field Regt. War Diary, 18-20 January 1942; WO172/138, 2nd Cambs War
Diary, 19-20 January 1942.
3rd paragraph: "to deny the coastal road to the enemy"
81. PRO, WO172/20, Malaya Command War Diary Appendix V 34,
21 January 1942; CAB106/80, Heath notes; Percival, Despatch.
Page 274: 1st paragraph: "barely beyond the perimeter"
82. PRO, WO172/100, British Battalion War Diary, 21 January
1942; WO172/138, 2nd Cambs War Diary, 21 January 1942.
Page 275: 1st paragraph: "where the defenders had run out of time"
83. PRO, WO172/20, Malaya Command War Diary Appendix Y 35,
22 January 1942; WO172/88, 5th Norfolks War Diary, 21-22 January
1942; WO172/100, British Battalion War Diary, 21-22 January 1942; WO172/138, 2nd
Cambs War Diary, 22 January 1942.
2nd paragraph: "covering the road to Ayer Hitam"
84. PRO, WO172/20, Malaya Command War Diary Appendices Y
35, K 36, M 36, 22 January 1942; WO172/100, British Battalion War Diary, 22
January 1942; WO172/138, 2nd Cambs War Diary, 22 January 1942;
CAB106/56, 11th Indian Division history, ch. 18; AWM, 52/8/3/26, 2/26
AIF War Diary, 22 January 1942; 67/3/25, part I, Bennett diary, 22 January 1942.
1st indented quote: "confronted another in Yong Peng"
85. SCSC, Outline of the Malayan Campaign; JM,
Number 54, Malaya Operations Record.
3rd indented quote: "into which the Japanese had followed them"
86. PRO, WO172/88, 5th Norfolks War Diary, 22
January 1942; WO172/100, British Battalion War Diary, 22 January 1942;
WO172/138, 2nd Cambs War Diary, 22 January 1942; CAB106/56, 11th
Indian Division history, ch. 18.
Page 276: 1st paragraph: "So 15th Indian Brigade must
stand fast"
87. PRO, WO172/20, Malaya Command War Diary Appendices D
37, L 37, 23 January 1942; CAB106/80, Heath notes; IWM, Percival Papers,
P 22, F 42, comments on official history draft, 3 January 1954 and n/d; P 23, F
48, Kirby to Percival, 11 January 1954; Heath Papers, LMH 4, Heath lecture;
Percival, Despatch.
2nd paragraph: "would have resulted in less damage"
88. IWM, Percival Papers, P. 23, F. 48, Kirby to Percival,
11 January 1954.
3rd paragraph: "Malaya Command was badly outmatched"
89. There is a pertinent observation in PRO, WO172/127, 5/1
Sikhs War Diary, 21 January 1942, describing a site selected for an ambush: "It
was similar to many positions in Malaya–suitable for an ambush or two but quite
indefensible once the enemy has deployed."
Page 277: 1st paragraph: "or mount more than a holding action"
90. Tsuji, 199, 206-07.
Page 278: 1st paragraph: "‘which neither he nor Percival had
inspected’"
91. Wyett, 65-66.
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