Battle of Bukit Timah
Encyclopedia
The Battle of Bukit Timah, which took place on 11 February 1942, was part of the final stage of the Empire of Japan
's invasion
of Singapore
during World War II
.
By the 10th of February, the Japanese had landed in full force on Singapore Island. They controlled the entire western part of the island, and much of the north. Their next objective was Bukit Timah
and the capture of vital water, food, ammunition, and vehicles, machine parts and other supplies. Now, flushed with success, the Japanese again advanced in full force.
, and the Special Reserves Battalion; Tomforce, Merrett Force, Dalforce
, and the Plymouth Argylls
; Jind State Infantry and the X Battalion — all faced the Japanese onslaught. They fought at various points along Bukit Timah Road
.
On that night, the Japanese 5th Division, supported by tanks, advanced down Choa Chu Kang
Road. The 12th Indian Brigade and some British troops under Major Angus MacDonald and Captain Mike Blackwood (both were officers from the Argylls who would both later die on the steamship Rooseboom
while escaping Singapore) blocked the road and opened fire with an anti-tank gun, destroying the first Japanese tank, but this was merely the first of a force of 50 tanks.
There followed some hand-to-hand combat, as well as bayonet charges from both sides. In this stage of battle, Dalforce
, an irregular force made up of ethnic Chinese men from Singapore, took heavy losses. The poorly trained and equipped members of Dalforce were armed only with parang
s, grenades, rifles and shotguns normally used for hunting, and suffered heavy casualties. By midnight, the Japanese had overwhelmed the defenders and captured Bukit Timah.
The British launched a counterattack the following morning with two brigades. But by midday, faced with strong Japanese resistance, the counterattack failed.
The next day, the Japanese Imperial Guards advanced from the north, outflanking the British defenders and forcing their retreat. In the ensuing battle, the Chinese members of Dalforce fought bravely, some to their deaths. Here, the Japanese suffered some of their heaviest casualties in the campaign to occupy Singapore. In revenge, they massacred Chinese men, women and children living in a nearby village.
Empire of Japan
The Empire of Japan is the name of the state of Japan that existed from the Meiji Restoration on 3 January 1868 to the enactment of the post-World War II Constitution of...
's invasion
Battle of Singapore
The Battle of Singapore was fought in the South-East Asian theatre of the Second World War when the Empire of Japan invaded the Allied stronghold of Singapore. Singapore was the major British military base in Southeast Asia and nicknamed the "Gibraltar of the East"...
of Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
By the 10th of February, the Japanese had landed in full force on Singapore Island. They controlled the entire western part of the island, and much of the north. Their next objective was Bukit Timah
Bukit Timah
Bukit Timah is an area in Singapore and a hill in that area. Bukit Timah is located near the centre of the Singapore main island. The hill stands at an altitude of 163.63 metres and is the highest point in the city-state of Singapore...
and the capture of vital water, food, ammunition, and vehicles, machine parts and other supplies. Now, flushed with success, the Japanese again advanced in full force.
Preparations
The defending soldiers of the 12th and 15th Indian Brigades, the 27th Australian Brigade27th Brigade (Australia)
The 27th Brigade was a brigade-sized infantry unit of the Australian Army. The brigade was the last Second Australian Imperial Force infantry brigade raised for service during the World War II...
, and the Special Reserves Battalion; Tomforce, Merrett Force, Dalforce
Dalforce
Dalforce, or the Singapore Overseas Chinese Anti-Japanese Volunteer Army was an irregular forces/guerrilla unit within the British Straits Settlements Volunteer Force during World War II. Its members were recruited among the ethnic Chinese people of Singapore...
, and the Plymouth Argylls
Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, 5th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland is an infantry battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland....
; Jind State Infantry and the X Battalion — all faced the Japanese onslaught. They fought at various points along Bukit Timah Road
Bukit Timah Road
Bukit Timah Road is a major road in Singapore extending from the city centre to Woodlands Road on the way to Johor Bahru in Malaysia. The road has a distance of 25km , which is one of the longest roads in Singapore, and the road takes its name from the hill...
.
The battle
Choa Chu Kang
Choa Chu Kang is a major residential town and neighbourhood and is a suburban area in the West Region of Singapore...
Road. The 12th Indian Brigade and some British troops under Major Angus MacDonald and Captain Mike Blackwood (both were officers from the Argylls who would both later die on the steamship Rooseboom
SS Rooseboom
The Rooseboom was a 1,035 ton Dutch steam ship owned by KPM built in 1926 by Rijkee & Co of Rotterdam.-The sinking:...
while escaping Singapore) blocked the road and opened fire with an anti-tank gun, destroying the first Japanese tank, but this was merely the first of a force of 50 tanks.
There followed some hand-to-hand combat, as well as bayonet charges from both sides. In this stage of battle, Dalforce
Dalforce
Dalforce, or the Singapore Overseas Chinese Anti-Japanese Volunteer Army was an irregular forces/guerrilla unit within the British Straits Settlements Volunteer Force during World War II. Its members were recruited among the ethnic Chinese people of Singapore...
, an irregular force made up of ethnic Chinese men from Singapore, took heavy losses. The poorly trained and equipped members of Dalforce were armed only with parang
Parang (knife)
The parang is the Indonesia equivalent of the machete. Typical vegetation in South East Asia is more woody than in South America and the parang is therefore optimized for a stronger chopping action with a heavier blade and a "sweet spot" further forward of the handle, the blade is also beveled more...
s, grenades, rifles and shotguns normally used for hunting, and suffered heavy casualties. By midnight, the Japanese had overwhelmed the defenders and captured Bukit Timah.
The British launched a counterattack the following morning with two brigades. But by midday, faced with strong Japanese resistance, the counterattack failed.
The next day, the Japanese Imperial Guards advanced from the north, outflanking the British defenders and forcing their retreat. In the ensuing battle, the Chinese members of Dalforce fought bravely, some to their deaths. Here, the Japanese suffered some of their heaviest casualties in the campaign to occupy Singapore. In revenge, they massacred Chinese men, women and children living in a nearby village.
See also
- History of SingaporeHistory of SingaporeThe history of Singapore dates to the 11th century. The island rose in importance during the 14th century under the rule of Srivijayan prince Parameswara and became an important port until it was destroyed by Acehnese raiders in 1613. The modern history of Singapore began in 1819 when Englishman...
- Battle of SingaporeBattle of SingaporeThe Battle of Singapore was fought in the South-East Asian theatre of the Second World War when the Empire of Japan invaded the Allied stronghold of Singapore. Singapore was the major British military base in Southeast Asia and nicknamed the "Gibraltar of the East"...
- Japanese order of battle during the Malayan Campaign
- Malaya CommandMalaya CommandThe Malaya Command was a command of British Commonwealth forces formed in the 1920s for the coordination of the defences of Malaya and Singapore.-History:...