Desperate rearguard actions

Source: "Lifestyle"-The Star- 22 May 2005

BY PAUL SI

THE British did not put up a significant fight for Kuala Lumpur because the city was deemed indefensible once the Japanese forces had broken through at Slim River.

Although the British troops actually outnumbered the Japanese nearly two-to-one, the invaders had overwhelming superiority in the air and tanks on the ground. The Japanese troops were also experienced, well trained and highly motivated whereas the defending forces were ill equipped and trained.

Therefore, the only realistic defensive plans the British had were centred on relying on rivers to serve as natural barriers and blocking the Japanese advance at key bridges, such as the spans over Slim River and Serendah.

The Japanese, however, attacked with incredible speed. They overwhelmed many of the under-trained an demoralised defenders in a matter of minutes.

In addition to poor training, the British and Indian defenders suffered from exhaustion because constant aerial strafing and bombing meant rest was impossible.

Furthermore, communications was chaotic because much of the British army's irreplaceable radio equipment had been lost in the retreat from Jitra, Kedah, and telephone lines were frequently cut or damaged. Attempts were made to communicate by sending runners but the situation was changing so fast that messages were often outdated by the time they arrived.

Often, Japanese tanks surprised and shot British troop columns lined up on the road. The troops had not been trained to deal with enemy tanks.

After brushing aside weak opposition at Serendah and quickly rebuilding the demolished bridge, the Japanese took Kuala Lumpur and found many stores of useful materials left intact, although the fleeing British had destroyed some fuel depots and airport buildings.

Lt Gen Yamashita believed the last British defensive line before Singapore would be at Sungai Muar.

He planned to overcome it by sending his main attacking force, the 5th Division, down the trunk road to tackle the British defences. At the same time, the Imperial Guards Division would head from Malacca down the coast to outflank the defences.