Operation Zipper facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Operation Zipper |
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|---|---|
| Part of South-East Asian theatre of World War II | |
| Planned by | South East Asia Command |
| Objective | Liberation of Malaya and Singapore |
| Outcome | Scaled down into Operation Tiderace for the liberation of Singapore and Operation Jurist for the liberation of Penang. |
During World War II, Operation Zipper was a secret British plan. Its main goal was to take control of important ports in Malaya, like Port Swettenham or Port Dickson. These ports would then be used as starting points to free Singapore from Japanese control. This larger plan to free Singapore was called Operation Mailfist.
However, World War II ended sooner than expected in the Pacific region. Because of this, Operation Zipper was never fully carried out.
Contents
What Was Operation Zipper?
Operation Zipper was a big military plan by the British. It aimed to get back control of Malaya and Singapore from the Japanese. The plan involved landing many soldiers and supplies by sea.
Why Was It Planned?
The British wanted to free Malaya and Singapore because they were important parts of the British Empire. Singapore was a key naval base. Taking these areas back was a major goal for the Allies in Asia.
The Deception Plan
Even though the main operation didn't happen, some parts of it did. For example, there were planned landings on Penang island. These landings were meant to see how the Japanese would react. The British wanted to know if the Japanese would fight back strongly.
To trick the Japanese, the British used a plan called Operation Slippery. A small team of special agents, led by Tun Ibrahim Ismail, landed in October 1944. They made the Japanese believe that the main British attack would happen much further north, in a place called the Isthmus of Kra. This was about 650 miles (1,046 km) away. This trick helped to confuse the Japanese forces.
After Japan Surrendered
After Japan officially surrendered, two new operations were quickly put into action. These were Operation Jurist and Operation Tiderace. Their goal was to directly free Penang and Singapore. After that, smaller landings would happen along the coasts of Selangor and Negeri Sembilan in Malaya.
The Fleets Set Sail
Two large groups of Allied ships left Rangoon.
- The Royal Navy's Task Force 11 sailed towards Penang. This was part of Operation Jurist.
- A larger fleet, made up of British and French ships, headed for Singapore. This was part of Operation Tiderace.
The plan was to free Penang first. This would be a test to see how the Japanese would behave. It would also prepare the way for taking back Singapore and the rest of Malaya.
Penang is Liberated
The Japanese soldiers in Penang surrendered on September 2. The very next day, September 3, British Royal Marines successfully took back Penang Island. There was no fighting.
Singapore is Liberated
The Allied fleet arrived near Singapore on September 4. The Japanese forces on the island agreed to surrender. A formal ceremony to mark the surrender happened in downtown Singapore on September 12.
Landings in Malaya
On September 9, soldiers from the 25th Indian Division landed in Selangor and Negeri Sembilan. They quickly captured Port Dickson. After a short delay, the Commonwealth forces reached Kuala Lumpur on September 12. This marked the end of the liberation efforts in Malaya.
