Battle of Slim River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Battle of Slim River |
|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the Malayan campaign, World War II | |||||||
 Indian troops in Singapore, November 1941. |
|||||||
|
|||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
 British India |
 Empire of Japan |
||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
 Brig. Archibald Paris |
 Lt. Gen Takuro Matsui |
||||||
| Units involved | |||||||
|
|
|
||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 500 killed 3,200 captured (Japanese estimate) |
77 killed 1 tank damaged |
||||||
The Battle of Slim River was a major battle during the Malayan campaign in January 1942. It took place between the Imperial Japanese Army and the British Indian Army on the west coast of Malaya. This battle was a quick and surprising victory for the Japanese. They used tanks in a new way, which helped them defeat the British forces.
Contents
What Led to the Battle?
Japanese forces invaded Malaya in December 1941. They came from southern Thailand and also landed on the eastern coast. The Japanese quickly moved down the western coast of Malaya. They defeated British attempts to stop them. By Christmas Day, the Japanese controlled all of north-west Malaya.
A Brief Stand at Kampar
British troops had one strong moment of defense near Kampar. This was called the Battle of Kampar. It lasted four days. British artillery caused many problems for the Japanese. However, by January 2, the Indian 11th Infantry Division was surrounded. Japanese forces tried to cut off their escape route to Singapore. So, the British troops had to pull back. They moved to prepared defenses at Trolak, five miles north of the Slim River.
British Defenses at Trolak
The British commander, Acting Major-General Paris, had fewer troops. One of his three brigades (a large group of soldiers) was moved away. This left him with the 12th Indian Brigade and the 28th Gurkha Brigade. Both were weaker because of earlier battles. They were tasked with defending the area north of the Slim River.
The 12th Indian Brigade set up defenses along the main road. They used anti-tank obstacles and roadblocks. The 4/19th Hyderabad Regiment held the front line. The 5/2nd Punjab Regiment was next. The 2nd Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders were also ready to defend. The 28th Gurkha Brigade was spread out near the railway and road bridges. These bridges were set up to be blown up if needed.
The Japanese Attack Plan
The Japanese attacking force was led by Colonel Ando. It included about 17 medium tanks and 3 light tanks. Major Toyosaku Shimada was in charge of the tanks. Shimada came up with a bold plan. He decided to attack at night using tanks to lead the way. This was unusual for World War II. It was risky because tanks have poor visibility at night.
The Battle Unfolds
On January 5, 1942, the last British troops from another brigade pulled back through the 12th Brigade's positions. Soon after, Japanese soldiers reached the Hyderabad positions. They launched a small attack, but it was pushed back. Colonel Ando decided to wait for his tanks before attacking again. On January 6, Major Shimada's tanks arrived. Shimada convinced Ando to let him attack directly down the road. This was different from the usual Japanese tactic of going around enemy positions.
Japanese Tanks Break Through
At 3:30 AM on January 7, 1942, in heavy rain, Shimada's tanks began their attack. They started with mortar and artillery fire on the 4/19th Hyderabad Regiment. The tanks moved through the British obstacles. The Hyderabads tried to fight back, but they had no anti-tank weapons. Japanese soldiers quickly broke through their roadblock. Within 15 minutes, Japanese engineers were clearing the road. By 4 AM, Shimada's tanks were moving towards the next British unit.
A few Hyderabads managed to warn the 5/2nd Punjab Regiment. The Punjabis were more experienced. They destroyed two leading Japanese tanks with land mines and Boys anti-tank rifles. They also set another tank on fire with Molotov cocktails. This blocked the road, leaving the Japanese tanks stuck. If the British artillery had been called, the Japanese column could have been stopped. But communication lines were cut, and the chance was lost. Japanese soldiers pushed through the Punjabis. The tanks found a way around the destroyed vehicles. The Punjabis fought hard until about 6 AM. Most of their battalion was captured.
By 6:30 AM, Shimada's tanks reached the 2nd Bn, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. These were experienced British soldiers. They were positioned around the village of Trolak. They had little warning of the fast-moving Japanese tanks. The first four Japanese tanks were mistaken for British vehicles. They drove straight through the Argylls, splitting the battalion. These tanks then headed for the railway bridge. The rest of the Japanese force arrived, completely cutting off the Argylls. The Argylls fought bravely but were scattered. Many tried to escape through the jungle. Only 94 Argylls were accounted for the next day.
The Attack on the 28th Brigade
Shimada's tanks then reached the 5/14th Punjabis. These soldiers were marching along the road to reinforce the other British units. Lieutenant Sadanobu Watanabe, leading three Japanese tanks, drove straight through them. His machine guns fired at the soldiers. The Punjabis suffered heavy losses. By 8:00 AM, the leading Japanese tanks were near the 28th Gurkha Brigade's headquarters.
The 28th Brigade did not know what had happened to the other British units. The Japanese tanks quickly scattered the 2/2nd and 2/9th Gurkhas. Many soldiers from these battalions managed to cross the railway bridge before the main Japanese force arrived.
The last battalion of the 28th Brigade, the 2/1st Gurkhas, was also marching along the road. Watanabe's tanks caught them from behind. The death toll was even higher for them. Only one officer and 27 other soldiers were present the next day.
Capturing the Bridges
Shimada's tanks had now broken through both British brigades. They were heading for the two important bridges. Lieutenant Watanabe went for the main road bridge, six miles away. He broke through British support units in front of the bridge. Two British artillery colonels were killed in this surprise attack.
At 8:30 AM, Watanabe reached the road bridge. It was defended by anti-aircraft guns. Two guns managed to fire, but their shots did not damage the tanks. The gunners fled. Watanabe himself cut the wires to the explosives on the bridge with his sword. It was still early morning, and the Japanese attack had scattered the entire 11th Indian Division. Most survivors were trying to escape across the Slim River.
Watanabe sent three tanks to explore the other side of the river. They met more British artillery. One British gun was destroyed. The gunners from a second gun fired at close range. One Japanese tank was hit and destroyed, killing its commander. The other two tanks retreated to the road bridge.
After the Battle
The 11th Indian Infantry Division suffered huge losses. Many soldiers were captured. Some managed to escape into the jungle. A Gurkha soldier, Naik Nakam Gurung, was found living in the jungle in 1949. He had been there since 1942. The 12th Indian Brigade was almost completely destroyed. The 28th Brigade was also severely weakened.
The 11th Division lost about 3,200 troops and much valuable equipment. The Japanese had attacked through 19 miles of enemy lines and captured two bridges. They did all this before lunchtime, with very few losses themselves. This defeat forced the British to retreat further south. The Japanese were able to take Kuala Lumpur without a fight.
See also
- Battle of Malaya
- Japanese Invasion of Malaya
- Japanese Invasion of Thailand
- Battle of Jitra
- Battle of Muar
- Battle of Singapore
- World War II
