April 10th, 1942
Battle of Singapore - I
From the report of the operations made by the staff of the Malaya Region.
East of the Jetty sector - Commonwealth counterattack.
03:00 - The British give the Japanese a taste of what war was like in France twenty-five years earlier. On a 2,000 meter front, 2,500 men attack, but not before a careful preparation of artillery, entrusted to more than 250 cannons. In one hour, the 5th Guards Regiment with 400 tons of shells, sends 200 tons of metal and explosives on the positions of the rest of the Guards Division, to the west, where this "suppressive fire" does great damage and stifles any attempt to rescue the regiment attacked. The British artillerymen thus give the Japanese a lesson that they themselves had learned in 1916, on the Somme, where their artillery barrage had been long and intense, like the Japanese one the previous days, but, like him, had been too little concentrated and composed of shells of too small caliber. The British fire during the night of the 9th to the 10th, on the contrary, were concentrated and of large calibers, as in 1918. And as in that period, the effect is devastating.
The start is given by the three 15 inches of the Johore Battery, in Changi, with explosive shells "courtesy of HMS
Ramillies", as the battery commander put it. Immediately, almost all the British guns within range open fire. Most of them bludgeon the Guards Division, but the 15-inch and 9.2-inch guns target the RAF's main fuel tanks buried near Woodville in the Pier area, from which the fuel leaks out and fuel escapes and flows in streams of fire to the rivers that flow into the Strait of Johor, under the feet of the Japanese. Other guns engage the batteries of Pulau Ubin or South Johore, while the 11th Division's artillery attack the positions of the 5th and 18th Japanese Divisions. In an instant, it seems that the whole island is lit up with starting flashes, but also of signal flares, flare shells, and in general of everything that could disguise the true location of the batteries. As a result, the response of Japanese artillery, although massive, is imprecise. Then, after an hour, as it had begun, the general fire stops and the British guns return to their usual firing program, this time targeting with frightening accuracy the Japanese batteries that had desperately been trying to support their troops (and who, in turn, lack the experience necessary to think about jamming their position).
After 15 minutes of "hurricane" barrage and 25 minutes of rolling barrage, the infantry take back without difficulty all the non swampy ground east of the Sungei Mandai Kechil, for 550 meters depth. The first wave consists of the 1st and 2nd Battalions of the South China Volunteers, 1,500 men supported by 16 Valentine tanks. The Chinese advance without bothering to clear the pockets of resistance, leaving this work to the hands of the Gurkhas of the second wave, 1,000 men of the 2/1st and 2/9th Gurkha Rifles (28th Brigade), who check every shell hole.
The Japanese still alive and able to fight are unable to put up an effective resistanc . Retreat is almost impossible: behind them, there is only the thousand metres of water in the Straits of Johore or the Sungei Mandai Kechil, which seems to carry more burning oil than water and whose only fords are covered by British machine guns and mortars, posted on the surrounding hills. The darkness is not a protection, because of flares and numerous flak projectors or dismantled trucks, while the smoke from the fires is blown back to Johore by the wind, masking the Japanese guns on the other side of the strait. And three days of bombing reduced the vegetation cover to nothing.
Of course, the Commonwealth losses are not zero: about 500 men in one hour of combat on the northern front. But Japanese losses in this sector exceed 3,000 men, almost all killed. "
The Chinese and Gurkhas took their work very seriously", said one of the British officers attached to these units. "
They all had very good reasons for thinking that a good Japanese was a dead Japanese, the main one being that they knew that the enemy would not care about taking Asian prisoners. We had to intervene to get a few Japanese spared for intelligence and propaganda purposes."
The high proportion of deaths among the Japanese is also explained by the fact that those who should surrender, their resistance being hopeless, commit suicide or are killed by launching absurd charges in the eyes of the Westerners.
The British, who are monitoring the radio traffic, notice that the Japanese were losing all radio discipline, no longer respecting procedures and increasing the number of unencrypted calls. Many communication centers are hit, the operators killed or wounded, coding machines damaged...
At daybreak, the 5th Imperial Guard Regiment no longer exists. In total, the forces of the Guards Division are reduced by 50%, its armored reconnaissance battalion is annihilated and its entire divisional artillery is out of action. However, the British decide not to attack west of the Sungei Mandai Kechil, where the swampy terrain reduces the effect of artillery fire and could slow the attackers and make it easier for the defenders.
"
The Japanese had never experienced anything like this. They were stunned. This scientific and mechanical approach to warfare, learned at the cost of millions of deaths in the trenches of World War I, was simply foreign to their concept of the warrior spirit always triumphing over morally inferior opponents". (Pascal N'Guyen-Minh,
War and Peace in Southeast Asia).
All day long on the 10th, the Japanese artillery spends thousands of shells to bombard the positions, hoping to punish the British for their offensive, but blindly and most of the time in pure loss.
.........
West of the Jetty sector - The Japanese insist.
In the morning, a regiment of a new division and the last elements of the Guard Division land at Kranji, west of the Jetty. From this beach, the Guards landed the previous day continue their push south, west of the railroad tracks, along the Woodlands - Bukit Timah road. They follow to the letter the orders they had received two days earlier, despite the British victory of the previous night.
In this area, the Royal Engineers literally ravage the terrain using Matilda II tanks. These machines, with their turrets damaged, are out of action, but they are able to drag heavy marine anchor chains, tearing up all the vegetation, which is then sprayed with oil and burned. Explosive charges further increase the chaos and expand the waterlogged area.
Yet, over this awful terrain, the 3rd Guards Regiment advances 500 meters.
To its left, the 4th Regiment attacks eastward to catch the British and hide the weakness of the weakness of the Japanese forces in this sector. It occupies some hills, which it loses immediately lost to powerful counter-attacks.
On the right of the 3rd Regiment, the reinforcements that had landed in the morning attack with four battalions east of the Sungei Krangji. These units advance along a front 800 meters wide, thanks to constant air and artillery support.
However, the offensive is finally blocked by local counter-attacks from Commonwealth units, who have the advantage of numbers.
.........
Western Sector - The 11th Division withdraws.
During the night, the 11th Indian Division attempts a slow retreat to the Jurong Line, under repeated blows from Japanese forces.
In the north, at 02:00, covered by the division's artillery, the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Battalions of the Hong-Kong & Singapore Infantry Regt (HKSIR) move off toward the village of Ama Keng, through forest trails whose trees are marked with the number of each battalion. But some small groups of Japanese have infiltrated before the barrage began and made some of the trails into deadly traps.
Finally, the HKSIR manages to rejoin its 4th Battalion and withdraw behind the units of the 6th Brigade, which had itself stalled the day before and arced to cover Tengah Air Base. The 1/8th Punjab Regt is installed in front of the main line, at a road junction. To the north, the 2/16th Punjab Regt leans to its right on the course of the Sungei Tengah, held by the 4th Dalforce Coy. To the south, the 2nd East Surrey Regt, reinforced by twelve A9 Cruiser tanks, supported its left on the Sungei Berih and on a ridge held by part of the 2/9th Jat of the 15th Brigade. Further out, other elements of the 15th Brigade defend the Choa Chu Kang area.
.........
Western Area - Battle of Tengah Air Base.
In the early morning, the Japanese 5th Division launches a fierce assault on the Tengah airfield, and meets resistance from the 1/8th Punjab Regt. While the latter is threatened with encirclement, the brigade's tracked platoons and the North China Volunteers Regt counterattack, breaking the southern branch of the Japanese pincer and allowing the Punjabis to retreat.
The Japanese counterattack again at 1300 hours, on a front of 2500 meters, with artillery, air and armored support. Many tanks are destroyed by the 2 anti-tank guns and the machine guns cause many infantry casualties, but the numbers and the determination of the Japanese finally produce their effects and after thirty minutes, the line of the 6th Brigade's line is broken at several points. At 14:00, the defenders, overwhelmed, have to withdraw, under a precise artillery barrage.
At 14:15, the Japanese commanders launch a well-prepared surprise attack: twelve tanks rush forwards under the covering artillery barrage, surrounded by a good twenty captured Bren carriers, whose crews had put on typical British helmets.
Some of the caterpillars are destroyed by the barrage, but most of the vehicles pass and fall on the HKSIR, pushing back the 4th Battalion and causing confusion and anxiety in the other three. The column then races through the runways of Tengah Air Base, crossing it from northwest to southeast, causing panic and disrupting the withdrawal of the 6th Brigade's support units. Realizing that the infantry has not followed, the column leader chooses to flee forward and crosses the Sungei Tengah, destroying about twenty trucks and dispersing a team of Royal Engineers who were preparing the destruction of the bridge. Tanks and caterpillars then burst into the village of Bulim, where they plunge the 11th Division's forward HQ into chaos for several hours. Resuming its course towards the east, the column crosses the Sungei Pen Siang and arrives at the village of Keat Hong, where it demolishes the ammunition trucks of a field artillery battery. Then, approaching the village of Bukit Panjang, where Choa Chu Kang Road joins Woodlands Road, the nine tanks and the dozen surviving Bren carriers spot a train at 15:15 on the railroad track that crossesd the village.They open fire with a great momentum on the train... which contained fifty tons of ammunition being evacuated from the Kranji ammunition warehouse. A gigantic explosion sweeps the village, annihilates the Japanese column, and crushes under the debris two or three hundred men of the Commonwealth troops who were working around the train.
Meanwhile, the airfield's flak formsed a defensive line on the eastern edge of the field, reinforced by old Mk I tanks and by the reinforcement of some of the companies retreating across the field. The 1/8th Punjab Regt, which had withdrawn after the morning's fighting, joins this improvised force, with some field artillery. For more than an hour, these troops block the momentum of the Japanese pursuing the retreating 6th Brigade, taking advantage of the perfect field of fire provided by the tracks.
.........
Western Area - Battle of Malayan Farms.
Throughout the day, the Japanese 18th Division attacks the 6th Brigade's south wing. In the late afternoon, despite stubborn resistance from the 2nd East Surrey Regt, which protects the retreat of the bulk of the 11th Indian Division, the Japanese finally capture Malayan Farms.
.........
Southwest Sector - Attempted overrun by Choa Chu Kang.
A little further south, a new Japanese regiment lands late at night on the left bank of the Sungei Berih. Initially meeting no resistance, it advances rapidly eastward and in the morning engages the British rearguard near the village of Choa Chu Kang, as it attempts to outflank the 11th Indian Division. The regiment first encounters a company of volunteers ambushed in a defile south of Hill 155, which succeed in keeping the regiment at bay. The Japanese then engage in a classic double overrun.
Their right wing meets Company D of the 2/9th Jat, entrenched on the heights overlooking the Hindu cemetery. The Japanese column then widens its movement to find the British left flank and crosses the muddy waters of the Sungei Tho Peh Kang, where the leading company is chopped up by fire from the rest of the 2/9th Jat and its supporting armor. The column moves back to the center, despite the flanking fire of the 2/9th Jat, pushed back the D Company and enters the village of Choa Chu Kang before being stopped in the Chinese cemetery by the stubborn resistance of the HQ Company of the 1st Leicestershire Regt.
Meanwhile, the left column follows the course of the Sungei Poyan. As it approaches the Malayan Brick Works, the Japanese find themselves under the wall of the quarry feeding the factory and have to advance on a very narrow front, between the river and the edge of the quarry. They are in sight of an artillery observer posted on Hill 155, who is directing from a battery on the column. Taking cover at the foot of the wall, the Japanese see a small detachment of volunteers showering them with grenades. They then go up the hill, from where the defenders flee to Choa Chu Kang.
Meanwhile, a Japanese artillery detachment has set up on Hill 182, a little to the west, from which it holds the entire area under fire.
The company of volunteers breaks off and scatters to slip through the net, but only half of the men are able to join the British forces - the fate of the others is unknown, but as they were Chinese, it is very likely that the Japanese did not give any quarter. After a counter-attack by B Company and the platoon of caterpillars supported by some armor, the 2/9th Jat withdaws and abandons Choa Chu Kang. However, the attempted overrun of the 11th Division's left wing is thwarted, and the Japanese regiment suffers heavy losses.
.........
Jurong Line - The British prepare for defense.
Finally, after a full day of hard fighting, the bulk of the 11th Division manages to withdraw to the safety of the Jurong Line.
From north to south, on this line, the Commonwealth deploys the 2nd Malayan Division (137th and 138th British Brigades, with the 55th Brigade in reserve) behind the Sungei Tengah, to protect the northern flank of the line. Then the 44th and 45th Indian Brigades in the center, of the 17th Indian Division, whose 46th Brigade holds the southern part of the line, east of the Sungei Jurong.
Badly affected by the first fights, the 6th Indian Brigade is withdrawn from the front lines (as well as the HKSIR) to rest the men and reorganize the units. Less affected, the 15th and 28th Indian Brigades are ordered to prepare to go back in line from April 11th. The 28th, the least affected, has to ensure the southern flank of the Commonwealth lines, near the sea, on the left of the 46th Brigade. The 15th is to deploy on the right flank of the 1st Brigade, behind the Sungei Pandan, to guard the western approaches to the city of Singapore. The brigade thus has twenty-four hours to recover. It will be well employed.
.........
Excerpts from the marching diary of the 15th Indian Infantry Brigade
April 10 - The men arrived during the night, on foot or by various means of transport (from donkey carts to civilian cars), are in a sorry state. It is the same for the 680 who join the ranks at daylight, before noon. All of them are immediately taken in hand, counted, listed. Their wounds are noted (for their service record and pensions), as well as the serial numbers of the weapons and other properties of the Government of His Majesty King and Emperor of India who are missing.
The Administration satisfied, comes the turn of the Medicine. The men are undressed, showered and even bathed (which does a lot of good to their morale as well as their physique), then examined and treated by the base doctors. It is necessary to treat correctly the slightest wound which can become infected, especially in the Singaporean climate. During this time, the weapons are cleaned and serviced. The uniforms are washed by the Singaporean laundries who have a contract with the Army (although the Army is suspicious and keeps an eye on them to make sure that the clothes stay in the boiling water for thirty minutes to rid them of parasites and unwanted insects).
Clean and freshly dressed, the men feel better - and even better once they have a hearty, hot meal, a luxury they had lost the habit of enjoying. They then receive their revised weapons, or new ones (for which they have to sign next to their number and the serial number of the weapons, the Army is orderly...). Little by little, the Brigade begins to be reborn, albeit in a somewhat different style. Short of recent equipment, the services have indeed begun to distribute vintage equipment. The 1937 fatigues were replaced by 1908 outfits, the model used throughout the Other War. Vickers-Berthier or Bren light machine guns are replaced by old (but reliable) Lewis guns, with which the men immediately started to train. The Bren medium machine guns of the caterpillars are replaced by Vickers...
Meanwhile, the administration of the battalions was reshuffled to try to compensate for the deficit in officers and non-commissioned officers. The firm recommendations of the Superior authorities were very clear: "
The administration of the battalion was generally carried out by experienced officers. It should be reduced to a minimum and all necessary documents should be completed by base personnel who, depending on the needs, will be attached to the Brigade or Battalion HQ. Released NCOs will be used to form additional rifle platoons. With regard to the platoons of specialized troops, lack of trained personnel may cause them to be regrouped at Brigade level, or disbanded to place their officers and NCOs at the disposal of Rifle companies."
To the same end, Australian officers developed a new battalion organization, including a reduction of wheeled vehicles, which were heavy consumers of fuel and personnel, and personnel, and of little value in the present conditions. The command approved it, making the point even more strongly: "
The bulk of the battalion's staff is part of the battalion HQ and its company. This distribution is generally necessary to meet the high level of responsibility, but which is primarily concerned with the conduct of long-term operations. In the present circumstances, there is no higher priority than that of maintaining the combat strength of rifle platoons, for it is the men on the ground, with rifles and bayonets, who will decide the outcome of events. If we don't win today, it won't matter what happens in three months. It doesn't matter." Thus, the maximum number of wheeled (non-combatant) vehicles for a battalion is reduced from 74 to 27, which frees up 47 drivers, among others.
09:00 - Four staff officers join the Brigade. They looked too old to serve in the field in an infantry battalion, but each wore the ribbons of the Military Cross or the Distinguished Service Order, and those of service in Indian units during the First World War... Finally, and most importantly, they all speak fluent Urdu. They were warmly welcomed, as the contribution of officers with solid combat experience and able to communicate without difficulty with their Cipayes is priceless.
10:15- Two directives from the High Command remind us of the importance of the Army.
"It has recently been brought to our attention by the depots that some battalions of the old garrison have not yet evacuated to India their Colors. The concerns about operations and long-acquired habits may explain this, but the King's and Regiment's Colors must not, under any circumstances, fall into enemy hands. Units must urgently inform the depot of their intentions regarding their Colors! In Hong Kong, some battalions were forced to bury their Colors, but in Singapore, air evacuation is still possible and recommended."
The Japanese must not be able to get their hands on anything! "
The fate of the trophies and silver dishes from the Officers' and Sergeants' Messes of the various units is of particular importance, as well as that of the objects of historical interest kept by the Units, such as musical instruments, souvenirs, etc. The Malaysia Military Region Command is responsible for them, as they are properties of His Majesty's Government. One should not to be overlooked are the sometimes considerable funds and other properties of the organizations created by the Units. It is the duty of mess or committee presidents to take all measures to ensure that these objects of value, even and especially symbolic, do not fall into the hands of the enemy."
12:00 - The men (who had lost all their personal belongings in the battle) had a very pleasant surprise: a special allocation of gifts offered by The Australian Comfort Fund. Each man receives a package containing a tube of toothpaste, a package of razor blades, soap, a soap box, two ounces of tobacco and a pack of cigarette papers (or four packs of cigarettes), a half-pound fruitcake, two packs of gum, a notepad.
13:30 - Another pleasant surprise: the arrival of 300 men from the Singapore base, who were immediately distributed among the units and received some additional training.
16:00 - The battalions could be, and were, reviewed. Promotions and transfers were officially announced and the agenda was read to the men. The Brigade will be ready to go back on line tomorrow.
.........
Pengerang - The Japanese attack the last unoccupied part of Johor.
Mixed Japanese troops (Navy infantry, Army infantry, sappers...), in total a reinforced battalion, land east of the southern tip of Johore. This is the last piece of the Malayan peninsula held by the Allies, who held on to it because of the presence of a permanent battery of two 6-inch batteries, covering the eastern part of the Straits of Johor, opposite the island of Pulau Tekong (where a 9.2-inch battery is located). The Japanese advance through the rubber plantations to Bukit Pengerang, a 200-meter hill that overlooks the battery, and runs into the 1st Company of Chinese Volunteers of the Dalforce.
Approximate situation at Singapore, April 10th, 1942
