Eyewitness to Malaya
This 2-part story is condensed from an article that ran in The West Australian newspaper on Saturday, 7 March 1942. It is the report of Major General Henry Gordon Bennett:
The first defensive position in country near Gemas was covered by young rubber trees 4′ or 5′ high and the ground was fairly open and hilly. The Australian line was covered by the guns of a very efficient artillery regiment from Queensland and New South Wales. It was some miles in advance of this position at Gemas that the 30th New South Wales Battalion decided to ambush the enemy.
Click image to enlarge.
The 30th inflicted heavy casualties. It was our first clash with the Japanese… LtCol. Galleghan was awarded the D.S.O. (Distinguished Service Order), for his conduct in this battle… He led his men personally. On one occasion, Brigadier Duncan Maxwell sat beside him while a captain sent back ball-to-ball description of the fight, “They are coming at us now. They are attacking from the left. They are holding their hats in their hands. They are shouting not to shoot because they are Indians.” Maxwell replied, “Tell them to shoot – there are NO Indians in that front sector.”
There was dog-fighting for 2 days. We had strong patrols on each flank preventing infiltrating parties of the Japanese. It had just been decided to replace the tired 30th with the 29th when the situation at Muar on the west coast became critical. The 45th Indian Brigade could not stop the Japanese who crossed the Muar River. As a consequence, the 29th was hustled into lorries and driven to that front. They arrived just in time to stop the advance.
Realizing that the position was vital and its loss would threaten our line of communications well to the rear, we withdrew the 19th Battalion from Mersing to help the 29th. This left me with 2 battalions at Mersing, 2 at Gemas in the centre of the peninsula and 2 at Muar. Soon after the 19th arrived near Muar, the Japanese attacked with tanks. Our gunners realized they had to make sure they were completely destroyed. Some of the disabled tanks were finished off with Molotov cocktails.
To be continued….With many thanks to Trove.com
###########################################################################################################
###########################################################################################################
Farewell Salutes –
Anthony Bonvetti Sr. – Wilmington, DE; US Army WWII
Malcolm Dewar – Vancouver, CAN; Royal Air Force, WWII
Jesse Dyess – Jacksonville, TX; US Army, WWII, ETO, 270th Field Artillery Battalion
Marlene Graham – Colorado Springs, CO; FBI, WWII
Geoffrey Hardwick – Mitchell, AUS; RA Navy, WWII
Eric Larsen Sr. – Kiln, MS; US Army, WWII, ETO
Christ Rink – South Bend, IN; US Army Air Corps, WWII
Herbert Stanley – Anchorage, AK; US Army Air Corps, WWII
Thomas Tyson – Taumarunui, NZ; RNZ Air Force, WWII, #EC15591, Captain
Lionel Violette – Palm Beaches, FL; US Air Force, LtColonel (Ret. 25 years), pilot
########################################################################################################
Posted on November 24, 2014, in Uncategorized, WWII and tagged British, Burma, CBI, family history, History, India, Malaya, Military, Pacific War, veterans, war, WWII. Bookmark the permalink. 26 Comments.
Reblogged this on KCJones.
LikeLike
Thank you. Your efforts to keep the memories alive is fantastic.
LikeLike
Interesting reading gp, I recall having to do a lecture on Blamey for my Warrant officers course, there appears to be varying thoughts on his returning to Australia hidden in a boat.
Seems some think he deserted his men and others who think it was vital he return with important war information.
Regards
Ian
LikeLike
Ah yes, Ian, many felt that way and MacArthur himself always acted guilty about it [IMO]. But, he was also a career soldier following orders of his C-in-C and FDR sent the order because he knew he wasn’t sending help to the Philippines [it was ALL going to Europe], but he also didn’t dare lose the general the US people loved. FDR NEEDED him ALIVE!!
Thanks for coming by, Ian!
LikeLiked by 1 person
California born Japanese citizens… Lol! But the fighting that was described must have not only tested courage but physical endurance to beyond its limits.
LikeLike
Yes it did, Koji. In other reports I’ve read as well, the soldiers were ready to drop where they were – they didn’t stand a chance. The fall of Singapore was inevitable. Thanks for visiting!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving… Smitty fought for it… 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you so much, Koji! What a wonderful way to phrase it, yet we both had our descendants defending us – so – DITTO, my friend!! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was a nightmare, with so few experienced troops and an awful lot of rookies being thrown in the deep end.
LikeLike
Very true, Hillary. You, certainly know all about this campaign – do you have anything to add?
LikeLike
Here in Great Britain, we tend to forget the Indians, who performed valiantly in many different theatres of the conflict, as did many African troops. It’ nice to see the 45th Indian Brigade getting a mention.
LikeLike
They’ll be mentioned in the future as well of course. Most people just think of the ETO because of the overwhelming danger of England’s demise. I’m very happy to hear that you enjoyed this, John.
LikeLike
And it gets worse!
LikeLike
I see you have suddenly made your blog ‘private’ – hence I have been unable to enter and view your posts – Good Luck in your endeavors.
LikeLike
Yes, I am afraid that personal problems have made it necessary. However I will continue looking at yours and commenting. Also my History blog will still be there and I will concentrate on it.
LikeLike
Is the history blog the private one?
LikeLike
No. At least I hope it works. Try
http://suchledtwo.wordpress.com/
Or Google “A monumental History of Australia. I have a new post there on its way but I have been unfortunately sidetracked lately.
LikeLike
Thank you, the link worked fine!
LikeLike
Next chapter is up.
LikeLike
Thank you.
LikeLike
Reblogged this on Paul Karam Kassab.
LikeLike
Thank you for the reblog and helping people to remember!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This describes the chaos of the battleground so well . Who can really know who was shooting at who sometimes – there are frequent friendly fire deaths… Made me wonder about those guys shouting that they were Indians. The photo of the Argylls struggling through the mud is amazing.
LikeLike
Thank you very much for taking the time to read and express your interest, Carol.
LikeLike
There are bones out there on the trial that have laid there for years. No one claims them and they are unknown. They were braved and they were scared. The earth itself is a giant graveyard to many who sacrificed their lives so we can write of their existence. May they be remembered.
LikeLike
Yes, I hope we do. Their sacrifice was and is overwhelming!
LikeLike