1941-42 Battle for Malaya and Singapore
The May 2018 AARC Staff Ride considered the 1941 invasion of the Malay Peninsula leading to the 1942 fall of Singapore. Although the campaign primarily consisted of allied defensive battles, withdrawal, retreat and capitulation; much can be gained from a detailed consideration of the course of events. The campaign offers case studies and warnings in the application of the principles of war, defensive operations and the maintenance of unit cohesion in retreat. It also highlights issues of allied interoperability, training standards, command relations, technological superiority and joint service cooperation. In particular, an examination from the Japanese side demonstrates a range of highly instructive lessons in the effective application of manoeuvre warfare.
The Staff Ride studied all the major battlefields on the west coast of the peninsula including the largely successful defensive battle of Kampar and the disastrous rout at Slim River. In Johor, the series of Australian actions considered included the famous company ambush at Gemas and the nearby battalion defence. Before examining the clashes on the trunk road to Singapore, the group switched to the coastal axis where it studied the actions at Muar, Bakri and Parit Sulong – each location providing ample examples of courage, competence and despair.
The Staff Ride was very well-supported by the 2/30th Training Group (an Australian Forces Command unit based permanently at the Royal Malaysian Airforce base at Butterworth) and the Australian Defence staffs in both Malaysia and Singapore. In particular, it greatly benefited from the company of Major Jim Zuraiman of the Malaysian Army. His presence amply demonstrated how close bonds of friendship develop through professional military educational activities. Further excellent host nation engagement occurred when visiting the superb Malaysian Army Museum at Port Dickson and during a visit to the grave of Major Peter Badcoe VC at the extensive Terendak Camp Malaysian Army base.
In Singapore, the Staff Ride group was accommodated by the Royal Australian Navy immediately adjacent to Sembawang Navy base – the centre of gravity for the entire 1941-42 campaign. The group studied the accessible parts of the Australian defence of the 'Western Area', examining the myriad reasons why these positions failed to hold. It then considered Singapore’s fixed defences - much maligned in popular literature - and concluded with a visit to the meticulously maintained Kranji Commonwealth War Cemetery.
Materials produced to support the Staff Ride were of a high standard and designed to be retained and used on subsequent military training activities. Importantly, these aids included superb maps and overlays developed by geotechnical engineers from the 1st Intelligence Battalion that allowed the original British, Indian and Australian positions and defensive layouts to be easily determined and explored. At every stage of the activity, the examination of the actual ground where battles occurred energised professional discussions. A Map Exercise and Quick Decision Exercise explored the disastrous Battle of Jitra and subsequent retreat to Gurun. A 'digital' bus-mounted advance (using interactive Google Maps) replicated the highly successful Japanese tank filleting attack at Slim River. And, overlooking the Straits of Johor, the Staff Ride conducted a command role-play activity which considered the invasion of Singapore.
The benefits of a Staff Ride extend far beyond the immediate participants. Instructors take insights and case studies back to Army training institutions. The knowledge of terrain, infrastructure and culture is retained throughout careers and passed on when in leadership positions. Excellent post-activity knowledge transfer occurs via written pieces such as this example: https://groundedcuriosity.com/shock-and-surprise-at-slim-river/#.XqF_Di1L3OQ. As a result of the Staff Ride, training support has also subsequently been able to be provided to Rifle Company Butterworth rotations and the Butterworth-based Headquarters Integrated Area Defence System (HQIADS). See #RCBBFST and #AusIADSStaffRide on Twitter.
