Japanese Invasion of the Malay Peninsula

Before the story describes the involvement of 137, it’s important to understand the strategic machinations in the region prior to and just after the arrival of 137 in Singapore.

Since the beginning of the War, Japan had an envious eye on the rich resources of the British controlled Malay Peninsula.  Especially since the United States imposed ‘Containment’ policies, in order to cut vital exports of oil, coal, iron & steel to Japan, in a bid to constrain its militaristic expansion plans.  Encouraged by Germany’s early successes, particularly against the British, together with America’s absence from the War, plans were finalised for continued expansion in South East Asia.

The Japanese invaded the Malay Peninsula on 7 December 1941 just a couple of hours before the attack on Pearl Harbour. They landed at Pantai Sabak, 10 miles from the RAF Airfield at Khota Baru, British Malaya, close to the Eastern border with Thailand and made rapid progress West and South.  To the West, the Ghurkhas put up a spirited fight between Changlun and Asun but were soon overpowered with the capture and the loss of 350 men. At about the same time, the Japanese had reached Jitra to the South.  The next day, the 11th Indian Div (including 137 Regiment) was ordered to withdraw from Jitra towards Gurun in the South, just North of Sungai Petani.

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