Depending on location and training all those new AAA batteries , even with High Explosive or AA rounds can make swiss cheese of Japanese tanks if used like the German 88mms.
Malaya What If
- Thread starter Fatboy Coxy
- Start date
Fatboy Coxy
Monthly Donor
You're quite right, the best tank the Japanese used in this campaign, the type 97 had at best, 25mm armour plating on the front hull and gun mantle. Historically the tank advance along the road was eventually stopped by a 4.5-inch Howitzer firing over open sights, completely destroying the leading tank, while the 5/2 Punjab battalion managed to destroy four tanks by anti tank mine, Boys anti-tank rifle and Molotov cocktails, despite being overrun. What surprised the British, was a tank attack at night, along narrow roads lined with jungle, and in heavy rain, there was precious little visibility for the tank drivers, so credit to Major Shimada of the 6th Tank Regt, who insisted that a night attack was possible. We attach a lot of blame to the British, but often fail to recognise the good soldiery of the Japanese.
However, in my timeline, don't expect any heroics from the Indian HAA Regts, if asked to engage tanks over open sights, as these units will be barely able to function in the trained role of AA, given their makeup and training. Secondly, they are mobile, as in can be moved to different locations, but are certainly not field mobile, if you get my drift.
Wikipedia give a decent account of the Slim River battle here
Battle of Slim River - Wikipedia
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Fatboy Coxy
Monthly Donor
Thank you CB13, but I'm only a poor amateur historian on the Malayan Campaign 1941-42, and obviously have some interest in surrounding areas at that time. There are a number of people following the timeline and commenting on it, who I recognise as being very good in their own field of interest, and I will lean on them as required. A joy of writing this is though I am no doubt educating some on the historic campaign, and of those times, I'm also learning a great deal more myself. You'll find me on a number of other forums that specialise in different subject matters of war, where far more knowledgeable minds can be picked!
MWI 41020106 Back On The Beat
Fatboy Coxy
Monthly Donor
1941, Tuesday 04 February;
She’d been a bit of everything in her time, she started life as an emergency wartime constructed Kil class sloop of the first world war, she’d just made it to the fleet, in time to see the war end, and at a stroke, her military usefulness, ended too. Like a lot of wartime construction, she was sold off cheaply, and converted to being a small tramp steamer, used in Indian and Far East waters, on small cargo runs. And so, her name went from HMS Kildysart to SS Embleton, and then onto SS Indira, and her former owners could be counted on two hands. And now finally, she had come full circle, flying the ensign again, only this time as HMS Indira.
Since the outbreak of war in September 1939, many ships of the Royal Navy had transferred back home to fight in the Atlantic or Mediterranean, leaving the defences of the Far East short. So, Indira along with a number of other ships had been taken into service, the skilful dockyards here in Hong Kong being put to the test, restoring, repairing, refitting, converting and equipping ships for their new tasks. Half a dozen small tugs and trawlers were now auxiliary minesweepers, a couple of old Saint class tugs, St Dominic and St Sampson had been restored to their naval capabilities, a couple of river steamers converting to depot ships, the list went on and on.
Indira been requisitioned April last year, used as a Harbour Examination Vessel at first, but now, following work which removed some of the superstructure added to her in her merchant life, restoring her closer to her original layout, and a refit, including rearming her with an antiquated 12-pounder gun on a trestle forrard, and a WW1 era 2 pounder Pom-Pom aft, along with a single Lewis machine gun on each bridge wing, she was a patrol craft, to pry, to question, and to fly the flag. The crew was a healthy number, sufficent to sail and fight the ship, while sending off both whalers full of armed sailors to board suspious vessels.
So now she was back on the beat, so to speak, going out on her first real patrol. Her stokers were busy shovelling coal, working to build up pressure, so once clear of the submarine boom nets, she could increase speed from the sedate 6 knots she was doing, to 10 knots, close to approaching her top speed, these days.
A signal lamp was flickering out a line of banter to them, as the boom defence vessel, HMS Barlight held open the gate. Lt Desmond Hindmarsh HKRNVR, commanding officer, HMS Indira, gave a humorous reply to his Chinese Yeoman, who began answering back, as the ship pushed on out into the Tathong Channel, to begin her new life.
She’d been a bit of everything in her time, she started life as an emergency wartime constructed Kil class sloop of the first world war, she’d just made it to the fleet, in time to see the war end, and at a stroke, her military usefulness, ended too. Like a lot of wartime construction, she was sold off cheaply, and converted to being a small tramp steamer, used in Indian and Far East waters, on small cargo runs. And so, her name went from HMS Kildysart to SS Embleton, and then onto SS Indira, and her former owners could be counted on two hands. And now finally, she had come full circle, flying the ensign again, only this time as HMS Indira.
Since the outbreak of war in September 1939, many ships of the Royal Navy had transferred back home to fight in the Atlantic or Mediterranean, leaving the defences of the Far East short. So, Indira along with a number of other ships had been taken into service, the skilful dockyards here in Hong Kong being put to the test, restoring, repairing, refitting, converting and equipping ships for their new tasks. Half a dozen small tugs and trawlers were now auxiliary minesweepers, a couple of old Saint class tugs, St Dominic and St Sampson had been restored to their naval capabilities, a couple of river steamers converting to depot ships, the list went on and on.
Indira been requisitioned April last year, used as a Harbour Examination Vessel at first, but now, following work which removed some of the superstructure added to her in her merchant life, restoring her closer to her original layout, and a refit, including rearming her with an antiquated 12-pounder gun on a trestle forrard, and a WW1 era 2 pounder Pom-Pom aft, along with a single Lewis machine gun on each bridge wing, she was a patrol craft, to pry, to question, and to fly the flag. The crew was a healthy number, sufficent to sail and fight the ship, while sending off both whalers full of armed sailors to board suspious vessels.
So now she was back on the beat, so to speak, going out on her first real patrol. Her stokers were busy shovelling coal, working to build up pressure, so once clear of the submarine boom nets, she could increase speed from the sedate 6 knots she was doing, to 10 knots, close to approaching her top speed, these days.
A signal lamp was flickering out a line of banter to them, as the boom defence vessel, HMS Barlight held open the gate. Lt Desmond Hindmarsh HKRNVR, commanding officer, HMS Indira, gave a humorous reply to his Chinese Yeoman, who began answering back, as the ship pushed on out into the Tathong Channel, to begin her new life.
MWI 41021009 The Backing Of Dill
Fatboy Coxy
Monthly Donor
1941, Monday 10 February;
The Chinese contractor’s bulldozer carefully scrapped the undergrowth away, the driver being guided by a foreman, keen to avoid damage to the white wash daubed trees, which were to remain standing alongside the route of the new road. The survey work, the design and drawings, had already been completed, much copied from the adjacent site, which would be linked by road and footpaths, as well as connected by telephone lines. For the architects and buildings contractor’s it was relatively easy, they had been working in this area for about nine months now, constructing a new RAF Far East Command Headquarters, which was close to completion.
Lord Gort had been much impressed by the size and facilities being provide for the RAF, allowing them plenty of room to expand the small headquarters staff Air Vice Marshal Park had inherited. Almost as soon as he had arrived, Park had shown him round the soon to be open site, up here off Sime Road, just before the golf course. There was a good number of long wooden huts, well ventilated, attap roofed, well camouflaged by the surrounding trees and shrubs, all connected by concrete paths, and close to service roads.
At the same time, Gort had been underwhelmed by what he found at Fort Canning, where Malaya Command worked alongside the Singapore Garrison HQ. The site was patently far too small for both headquarters, and Malaya Command also needed to greatly expand to manage the large increase in troops due into the colony in the coming months. So, while he had good credit with Dill, the CIGS who had appointed him here with a promise to support him, Gort had lobbied for money, to build a new headquarters for Malaya Command, with a shared operations building between the two sites. Not only would it allow Percival and Park to work together, but it would allow him to oversee their entire operations, have a real handle on what was going on. With little complaint, Dill had acceded.
Full completion of the site wouldn’t be until next year, unless the contractor prioritised the site further, and effectively closed down other developing sites for the military. Because, another problem facing Gort, and indeed all in Malaya, was there insufficient resources in both men, equipment and supplies, to construct all that was desired, even if the money was there. Nevertheless, by switching work away from finishing the RAF compound, Gort hoped to have the best part of Percival’s Malaya Command moved in before the new year.
But it hadn’t stopped there, when Lord Gort had arrived in Singapore, he quickly became concerned about the poor level of Military Intelligence he was receiving, which was due to a number of things. For one, the main source of intelligence was from the FECB, (Far Eastern Combined Bureau), based at the naval base, run by the Navy, who’s information was mostly gleamed from the radio intercept station at Kranji, and decoded. Unfortunately, the codes they were reading were Japanese diplomatic and naval codes, great for the Navy, but not so good for the Army or RAF.
Secondly, there was information from the Secret Intelligence Service (SIS), or MI-6, as it was known. However, this was generally poor, little funding meant there had been little penetration into Chinese circles, and almost none into Japanese ones, where information was reduced to what could be gleamed from ‘bar talk’. And what information might be acquired from both these sources needed to be checked, graded, and assimilated, which required a staff. This, said Gort, was totally unacceptable, and Dill had been quick to support him on improvements on this matter.
So, again, Gort was having the staff numbers of Military Intelligence expanded from just Colonel Grimsdale, the Deputy Director, Military Intelligence, Far East, his GSO.2, Maj Ferguson, and GSO.3, Capt Pender-Cudlip, with a number of junior officers soon to be joining, and the promises of more personnel in the coming months. There were increases in Group Captain Chappell’s Air Intelligence staff as well, both coming from under the control and influence of the FECB, although they would still liaise and draw intelligence from them. And not only would both Percival and Park enjoy better intelligence, but by housing them in a yet to be built, joint building complex within the Sime Road Camp, Gort would be privy to their combined efforts.
With regard to SIS, the need to improve penetration into the Chinese, and more importantly Japanese decision-making circles couldn’t realistically be expected to be met quickly, it took years to develop good spy networks, but at least efforts were now being made to improve that situation, as well as in Thailand and French Indo-China.
A big worry that Gort had developed over the weeks he’d been here was the cavalier attitude of war with Japan among many of his officers, expressing the idea Japan would be mad to attack, British Empire forces would make short work of them, and concern among some officers that they would miss out on the brief battles that may be fought before the Japanese collapsed. Yet the few intelligence officers he had who knew the Japanese war machine spoke very differently of their military, holding it in high regard.
And it all rang unreal in his head, they were back to France 1939, and it will all be over by Christmas, the French had the beating of the Bouche with the Maginot Line, despite what was happening in Poland. Well, that wouldn’t happen here, not on his watch, not if he had something to say about it. They’ll get the lectures, training would have to get serious, and things needed to improve immeasurably. The work ahead of him was immense, but at least now Gort knew he had the backing of Dill, and that gave him conviction that he could improve things in the future.
The Chinese contractor’s bulldozer carefully scrapped the undergrowth away, the driver being guided by a foreman, keen to avoid damage to the white wash daubed trees, which were to remain standing alongside the route of the new road. The survey work, the design and drawings, had already been completed, much copied from the adjacent site, which would be linked by road and footpaths, as well as connected by telephone lines. For the architects and buildings contractor’s it was relatively easy, they had been working in this area for about nine months now, constructing a new RAF Far East Command Headquarters, which was close to completion.
Lord Gort had been much impressed by the size and facilities being provide for the RAF, allowing them plenty of room to expand the small headquarters staff Air Vice Marshal Park had inherited. Almost as soon as he had arrived, Park had shown him round the soon to be open site, up here off Sime Road, just before the golf course. There was a good number of long wooden huts, well ventilated, attap roofed, well camouflaged by the surrounding trees and shrubs, all connected by concrete paths, and close to service roads.
At the same time, Gort had been underwhelmed by what he found at Fort Canning, where Malaya Command worked alongside the Singapore Garrison HQ. The site was patently far too small for both headquarters, and Malaya Command also needed to greatly expand to manage the large increase in troops due into the colony in the coming months. So, while he had good credit with Dill, the CIGS who had appointed him here with a promise to support him, Gort had lobbied for money, to build a new headquarters for Malaya Command, with a shared operations building between the two sites. Not only would it allow Percival and Park to work together, but it would allow him to oversee their entire operations, have a real handle on what was going on. With little complaint, Dill had acceded.
Full completion of the site wouldn’t be until next year, unless the contractor prioritised the site further, and effectively closed down other developing sites for the military. Because, another problem facing Gort, and indeed all in Malaya, was there insufficient resources in both men, equipment and supplies, to construct all that was desired, even if the money was there. Nevertheless, by switching work away from finishing the RAF compound, Gort hoped to have the best part of Percival’s Malaya Command moved in before the new year.
But it hadn’t stopped there, when Lord Gort had arrived in Singapore, he quickly became concerned about the poor level of Military Intelligence he was receiving, which was due to a number of things. For one, the main source of intelligence was from the FECB, (Far Eastern Combined Bureau), based at the naval base, run by the Navy, who’s information was mostly gleamed from the radio intercept station at Kranji, and decoded. Unfortunately, the codes they were reading were Japanese diplomatic and naval codes, great for the Navy, but not so good for the Army or RAF.
Secondly, there was information from the Secret Intelligence Service (SIS), or MI-6, as it was known. However, this was generally poor, little funding meant there had been little penetration into Chinese circles, and almost none into Japanese ones, where information was reduced to what could be gleamed from ‘bar talk’. And what information might be acquired from both these sources needed to be checked, graded, and assimilated, which required a staff. This, said Gort, was totally unacceptable, and Dill had been quick to support him on improvements on this matter.
So, again, Gort was having the staff numbers of Military Intelligence expanded from just Colonel Grimsdale, the Deputy Director, Military Intelligence, Far East, his GSO.2, Maj Ferguson, and GSO.3, Capt Pender-Cudlip, with a number of junior officers soon to be joining, and the promises of more personnel in the coming months. There were increases in Group Captain Chappell’s Air Intelligence staff as well, both coming from under the control and influence of the FECB, although they would still liaise and draw intelligence from them. And not only would both Percival and Park enjoy better intelligence, but by housing them in a yet to be built, joint building complex within the Sime Road Camp, Gort would be privy to their combined efforts.
With regard to SIS, the need to improve penetration into the Chinese, and more importantly Japanese decision-making circles couldn’t realistically be expected to be met quickly, it took years to develop good spy networks, but at least efforts were now being made to improve that situation, as well as in Thailand and French Indo-China.
A big worry that Gort had developed over the weeks he’d been here was the cavalier attitude of war with Japan among many of his officers, expressing the idea Japan would be mad to attack, British Empire forces would make short work of them, and concern among some officers that they would miss out on the brief battles that may be fought before the Japanese collapsed. Yet the few intelligence officers he had who knew the Japanese war machine spoke very differently of their military, holding it in high regard.
And it all rang unreal in his head, they were back to France 1939, and it will all be over by Christmas, the French had the beating of the Bouche with the Maginot Line, despite what was happening in Poland. Well, that wouldn’t happen here, not on his watch, not if he had something to say about it. They’ll get the lectures, training would have to get serious, and things needed to improve immeasurably. The work ahead of him was immense, but at least now Gort knew he had the backing of Dill, and that gave him conviction that he could improve things in the future.
I was glad to see Gort remembering what happened in France. His attitude will make a critical difference.
You are assuming Gort won't make the same or similar mistakes to what he made in France...
I think the key point here is the improvement in training and professionalism in the British and Commonwealth forces in Malaya that the ATL leadership will instill. There won't be any massive increases in the forces being sent to Malaya before 1942 though they have got a little more then OTL. While they are running out of time it appears the British are on the right track to making better use of what resources they have now and what else they may get as the clock runs down.
"And it all rang unreal in his head, they were back to France 1939, and it will all be over by Christmas, the French had the beating of the Bouche with the Maginot Line, despite what was happening in Poland. Well, that wouldn’t happen here, not on his watch, not if he had something to say about it. They’ll get the lectures, training would have to get serious, and things needed to improve immeasurably. The work ahead of him was immense, but at least now Gort knew he had the backing of Dill, and that gave him conviction that he could improve things in the future." excerpt from post #425. Fatboy Coxy.
Will it all be enough? Lord Gort may need to change his appraisal of those unsociable types that make waves and step on toes. As he has already recognized the peacetime army's attitudes won't cut it anymore.
"And it all rang unreal in his head, they were back to France 1939, and it will all be over by Christmas, the French had the beating of the Bouche with the Maginot Line, despite what was happening in Poland. Well, that wouldn’t happen here, not on his watch, not if he had something to say about it. They’ll get the lectures, training would have to get serious, and things needed to improve immeasurably. The work ahead of him was immense, but at least now Gort knew he had the backing of Dill, and that gave him conviction that he could improve things in the future." excerpt from post #425. Fatboy Coxy.
Will it all be enough? Lord Gort may need to change his appraisal of those unsociable types that make waves and step on toes. As he has already recognized the peacetime army's attitudes won't cut it anymore.
Fatboy Coxy
Monthly Donor
Yes he is, although its not telling much at the moment. There will be some stories relating to the breaking and listening in of Japanese codes in stories to come.
Of course, it one thing to know this high level intelligence but another to use it, the need to disguise the source of intelligence can limit its use, see Wiki page below, especially the paragraph, Safeguarding of sources. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultra#Japanese
Fatboy Coxy
Monthly Donor
Nicely summed up Draconis, people are going to think your my alter ego soon!
MWI 41021414 The Lady Fair
Fatboy Coxy
Monthly Donor
1941, Friday 14 February;
Captain McGrew stood looking out at Singapore from the side of the bridge of the tramp steamer Lady Fair. It was the first time he’d ever been here, and he was looking forward to the promised night of cards and drinks with the Port Agent and some military chaps. He’d made good progress, leaving Vancouver early January, the first response from the Canadian Government agreeing to providing aid to the colony. The first leg up by the Aleutian Islands hadn’t been fun, but as they had run down along the coast of Japan, the weather had improved. But by the time they got to Hong Kong he was glad to see his anchor drop, and be able to take on fuel, and fresh food.
The last leg of the voyage had been interesting, on arriving in Hong Kong he’d been informed he would be sailing in convoy and had been delayed a day. He sailed in the small 8 knot convoy, SK.1 to Singapore, in two columns. An old destroyer, HMS Thanet had been hurrying around like a sheep dog, keeping everyone in check. The convoy was orderly, up front the convoy leader, HMS Hector an armed merchant cruiser looked quite majestic, her size dominating the rest of the convoy, SS Ekma, a passenger/cargo liner sailed leading the second column, with a merchant ship, with two MTBs on deck following and Lady Fair behind. Following HMS Hector came a small oiler, with another two MTBs on deck and behind her a Chinese riverboat, HMS Whang Pu, who never looked happy with the voyage, and some weather damage was clearly noticeable on her by the time she got to Singapore. A tug HMS St Dominic sailed at the rear, ready to attend if required
What Captain McGrew didn’t know was who was carried in the convoy. The 5/7 Rajput Regt (an Indian infantry battalion), the cadre to form an Indian brigade headquarters, 20 officer cadets destined for the OCTU, eight 3.7in pack howitzers, 170 mules, plus a large number of Indian gunners from the HKSRA units based in Hong Kong were on board, as the initial transfer of military assets from Hong Kong to Singapore began. In addition, HMS Thanet, St Dominic and the MTBs were redeploying to Singapore. On arrival the rest of the convoy had sailed round the Johore Straits to the Naval Base, why Lady Fair sailed on to Keppel Harbour, anchoring in the roads, waiting on a harbour pilot to steer him to his berth.
They’d promised him they would have him unloaded of his cargo of cement, steel and general goods, inside 48 hours. But with another two days loading rubber, tin and hardwoods, he’d have plenty of time ashore to sample the delights of Singapore. The owners had told him the ship was chartered for four of these trips, and despite the long days at sea, it was a nice change from the South American trade he normally did. And that big bonus he and the crew got wouldn’t be because of sailing into dangerous waters either!
Captain McGrew stood looking out at Singapore from the side of the bridge of the tramp steamer Lady Fair. It was the first time he’d ever been here, and he was looking forward to the promised night of cards and drinks with the Port Agent and some military chaps. He’d made good progress, leaving Vancouver early January, the first response from the Canadian Government agreeing to providing aid to the colony. The first leg up by the Aleutian Islands hadn’t been fun, but as they had run down along the coast of Japan, the weather had improved. But by the time they got to Hong Kong he was glad to see his anchor drop, and be able to take on fuel, and fresh food.
The last leg of the voyage had been interesting, on arriving in Hong Kong he’d been informed he would be sailing in convoy and had been delayed a day. He sailed in the small 8 knot convoy, SK.1 to Singapore, in two columns. An old destroyer, HMS Thanet had been hurrying around like a sheep dog, keeping everyone in check. The convoy was orderly, up front the convoy leader, HMS Hector an armed merchant cruiser looked quite majestic, her size dominating the rest of the convoy, SS Ekma, a passenger/cargo liner sailed leading the second column, with a merchant ship, with two MTBs on deck following and Lady Fair behind. Following HMS Hector came a small oiler, with another two MTBs on deck and behind her a Chinese riverboat, HMS Whang Pu, who never looked happy with the voyage, and some weather damage was clearly noticeable on her by the time she got to Singapore. A tug HMS St Dominic sailed at the rear, ready to attend if required
What Captain McGrew didn’t know was who was carried in the convoy. The 5/7 Rajput Regt (an Indian infantry battalion), the cadre to form an Indian brigade headquarters, 20 officer cadets destined for the OCTU, eight 3.7in pack howitzers, 170 mules, plus a large number of Indian gunners from the HKSRA units based in Hong Kong were on board, as the initial transfer of military assets from Hong Kong to Singapore began. In addition, HMS Thanet, St Dominic and the MTBs were redeploying to Singapore. On arrival the rest of the convoy had sailed round the Johore Straits to the Naval Base, why Lady Fair sailed on to Keppel Harbour, anchoring in the roads, waiting on a harbour pilot to steer him to his berth.
They’d promised him they would have him unloaded of his cargo of cement, steel and general goods, inside 48 hours. But with another two days loading rubber, tin and hardwoods, he’d have plenty of time ashore to sample the delights of Singapore. The owners had told him the ship was chartered for four of these trips, and despite the long days at sea, it was a nice change from the South American trade he normally did. And that big bonus he and the crew got wouldn’t be because of sailing into dangerous waters either!
IIRC, "ULTRA" intelligence was initially codenamed BONIFACE, with the intent of implying it came from a very high level source in Germany. But that meant the recipients couldn't fully trust it - as they did later, when they knew it was decrypted SIGINT.
Two things that come to mind regarding the future direction of events in this ATL. After the Japanese seize French Indochina how will that accelerate (if possible) British preparations in Malaya and Burma? And will that cause the British to reassess their list of priorities due to the closer proximity of Japanese bases?
This further emphasizes the need to have a comprehensive air raid early warning system in place. Clearly there won't be enough radar stations installed before the end of 1941. And there is little to be gained in having observers placed in Northern Malaya if reports can't be sent back to fighter command because of inadequate communications. Radios would help except that there won't be enough sets available to equip air raid observers as the army will need all they can get.
The only organization that exists in 1941 that has a communication net that extends through much of Malaya including the Northeast area is the railroad. They would be using the telephone and telegraph for dispatching and monitoring train movements. Every station master and depot manager in Malaya, who usually live in or near their stations, should receive a basic and concise training in recognizing enemy aircraft and their direction and height. Any such reports would be priority sent by telephone and/or telegraph to the main railroad office set up with a RAF liaison officer to receive these messages and then send these reports on to the fighter command.
This is the poor mans' cheap and dirty early warning and fighter direction system. Flawed, perhaps too slow sometimes, but better then nothing. Better then having dozens of the reinforcement Hurricanes destroyed on the ground for example.
This further emphasizes the need to have a comprehensive air raid early warning system in place. Clearly there won't be enough radar stations installed before the end of 1941. And there is little to be gained in having observers placed in Northern Malaya if reports can't be sent back to fighter command because of inadequate communications. Radios would help except that there won't be enough sets available to equip air raid observers as the army will need all they can get.
The only organization that exists in 1941 that has a communication net that extends through much of Malaya including the Northeast area is the railroad. They would be using the telephone and telegraph for dispatching and monitoring train movements. Every station master and depot manager in Malaya, who usually live in or near their stations, should receive a basic and concise training in recognizing enemy aircraft and their direction and height. Any such reports would be priority sent by telephone and/or telegraph to the main railroad office set up with a RAF liaison officer to receive these messages and then send these reports on to the fighter command.
This is the poor mans' cheap and dirty early warning and fighter direction system. Flawed, perhaps too slow sometimes, but better then nothing. Better then having dozens of the reinforcement Hurricanes destroyed on the ground for example.
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Will the British Codebreakers be communicating with the USN team "CAST" at Cavite and Corrigidor?
MWI 41021810 Elbow Force Arrives
Fatboy Coxy
Monthly Donor
1941, Tuesday 18 February;
Major General Gordon Bennett stood on the Singapore Naval Base dockside looking up at the impressive ship in front of him. The Queen Mary towered above him, her fine livery hidden behind a painted coat of battleship grey, giving rise to the nickname ‘Grey Ghost’, and on every deck looking down were Australians, his men, the HQ units of the 8th Australian Division and the 22nd Infantry Brigade, 5,750men in total. While below them, standing around Bennett were the British high command, both military and civilian, everyone from the governor down had come to see the Australians.
Bennett had flown into Singapore two weeks ago, and had already been telling anyone who listened, how good his boys were. The plan was for this brigade to stop off here in Malaya until sufficient British and Indian troops had arrived, and then move onto North Africa. But already Bennett was anxious to get the other two brigades here and reunite the division.
He was irked by the way he’d been passed over for command of other divisions, by the Australian Military establishment, the Permanent Force or regulars. He knew they didn’t like him; they didn’t like the way he exposed their failings, their hide bound outlooks, their red tape. He’d take a Militia officer, like himself, over one of them any day. He also didn’t think the British commanders were up to much, bloody Lord Gort, as big a stuffed shirt as you could get. He knew about their little Saturday meetings, and when they’d asked if he played golf, he’d told them he preferred the more testing game of cricket.
Well now he had an opportunity to show what he could do. Firstly, he needed to whip his boys into shape, assemble the whole division, and he would transform them into the premier formation in the Australian Army. Their can-do attitude, their disrespect for the niceties of formal military life, their improvisation would surprise these stuff shirted British idiots. The boundaries of what’s correct would be challenged, and even Bennett didn’t know by just how much. Private Joey, living in his own special box, smuggled aboard with the medical supplies of the 2/19 infantry battalion, certainly carried that flag of defiance.
So, it would be onto Malacca, where they would settle down to acclimatise, and conduct some quality training, while he badgered and lobbied for the rest of his division. Yes, Bennett was a man on a mission.
Major General Gordon Bennett stood on the Singapore Naval Base dockside looking up at the impressive ship in front of him. The Queen Mary towered above him, her fine livery hidden behind a painted coat of battleship grey, giving rise to the nickname ‘Grey Ghost’, and on every deck looking down were Australians, his men, the HQ units of the 8th Australian Division and the 22nd Infantry Brigade, 5,750men in total. While below them, standing around Bennett were the British high command, both military and civilian, everyone from the governor down had come to see the Australians.
Bennett had flown into Singapore two weeks ago, and had already been telling anyone who listened, how good his boys were. The plan was for this brigade to stop off here in Malaya until sufficient British and Indian troops had arrived, and then move onto North Africa. But already Bennett was anxious to get the other two brigades here and reunite the division.
He was irked by the way he’d been passed over for command of other divisions, by the Australian Military establishment, the Permanent Force or regulars. He knew they didn’t like him; they didn’t like the way he exposed their failings, their hide bound outlooks, their red tape. He’d take a Militia officer, like himself, over one of them any day. He also didn’t think the British commanders were up to much, bloody Lord Gort, as big a stuffed shirt as you could get. He knew about their little Saturday meetings, and when they’d asked if he played golf, he’d told them he preferred the more testing game of cricket.
Well now he had an opportunity to show what he could do. Firstly, he needed to whip his boys into shape, assemble the whole division, and he would transform them into the premier formation in the Australian Army. Their can-do attitude, their disrespect for the niceties of formal military life, their improvisation would surprise these stuff shirted British idiots. The boundaries of what’s correct would be challenged, and even Bennett didn’t know by just how much. Private Joey, living in his own special box, smuggled aboard with the medical supplies of the 2/19 infantry battalion, certainly carried that flag of defiance.
So, it would be onto Malacca, where they would settle down to acclimatise, and conduct some quality training, while he badgered and lobbied for the rest of his division. Yes, Bennett was a man on a mission.
I do have to constantly remind the kids in my area about the dangers of Drop Bears!