Battle in Malaya (8 December 1941 to 7 January 1942)

My family and I were very concerned on the battle of Malaya. We heard many rumors and news about the attack of Japanese in Malaya.

Below is the chain of events that took place in Malaya:

·         On 8 December 1941, Japanese troops already landed in Singora and Patani in southern Thailand. They signed a Treaty of Alliance with Thailand. At the same time, they landed in Kota Bahru and destroyed British airfields there.



Bachok Beach, Kota Bharu, July 1941, possibly one of the Japanese landing points.

·         On 10 December 1941, without the support of airpower, the British warships, the HMS Repulse and the HMS Prince of Wales were easily sunk by Japanese planes. Hence, within two days, the British lost control of the sea. The sinking of these two battleships was considered the worst naval disaster for the British.



Loss of HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse, 10 December 1941

 



"Sea Battle off Malaya" Japanese war art painting by Nakamura Kanichi, 1942, depicting Japanese Navy aircraft making successful torpedo attacks on the British battleship Prince of Wales (center) and battlecruiser Repulse (left) on 10 December 1941.

 

 

 ·     On 11 to 12 of December 1941, the British had the mistaken idea that tanks were not suitable for jungle warfare. But on 12 December 1941, they knew they were wrong. The Japanese tanks were able to move at such speed that the British forces were taken by surprise. Although British forces outnumbered the Japanese, they were to match for the well-trained Japanese soldiers.



The Type 97 medium tank Chi-Ha (九七式中戦車 チハ, Kyunana-shiki chu-sensha chiha^?) was the most widely produced Japanese medium tank of World War II

 

 ·        On 17 December 1941, Penang and Ipoh were finally captured.  

·         On 7 January 1942, at Slim River (in Perak), the British fought a losing battle against the Japanese .The British tried to use anti-tank guns to destroy the Japanese tanks but their weapons did not work. The Japanese captured large quantities of goods, ammunition and equipment. The Battle of Slim River was a major victory for the Japanese.

Japanese troops crossing a jungle stream

Citation
Books:
1. Curriculum Planning & Development Division MOE, Singapore. (2012). Singapore From Settlement To Nation Pre-1819 To 1971 (2nd Edition). Singapore. Marshall Cavendish Education.

Website:
1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_invasion_of_Malaya
      2. http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-fornv/uk/uksh-p/pow12.htm
      3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_tanks_of_World_War_II
      4.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Slim_River