The 1st Malaya Infantry Brigade was a regular infantry brigade formed in 1939 with its headquarters in Singapore immediately after the outbreak of hostilities in Europe.[1] The Brigade participated in the Battle of Singapore against the Japanese until the surrender of the garrison in February 1942.
| 1st Malaya Infantry Brigade | |
|---|---|
 Men of the Malay Regiment at bayonet practice | |
| Active | 1939-1942 |
| Disbanded | 1942 |
| Country | British Malaya |
| Allegiance | British Crown |
| Branch | Army |
| Type | Infantry |
| Size | Brigade |
| Part of | Malaya Command |
| Garrison/HQ | Singapore |
| Engagements | Malayan campaign - Battle of Kota Bahru Battle of Singapore - Battle of Pasir Panjang |
| Commanders | |
| Last commanding officer | Brig G.C.R. Williams |
| Notable commanders | Michael Gambier-Parry |
History
editFormed on 3 September 1939,[1] the formation was initially known as the Malaya Infantry Brigade as part of the wartime expansion and reinforcement of Malaya Command.[2] It was re-designated the 1st Malaya Infantry Brigade when the 2nd Malaya Infantry Brigade was formed on 8 September 1940.[3]
Malayan Campaign
editThe 1st Battalion, Mysore Infantry served in airfield security duties during the Battle of Kota Bahru as part of the 8th Indian Infantry Brigade. With the collapse of the defences in Kota Bahru, the Battalion was withdrawn to Singapore and was joined with the 1st Malaya Infantry Brigade on 18 December 1941.[4]
Battle of Singapore
editAll organised Allied forces in Malaya had retreated to Singapore on 31 January 1942. The Brigade was deployed as part of the defence of the Southern Area of Singapore under the command of Maj Gen Frank Keith Simmons together with the 2nd Malaya Infantry Brigade, the Straits Settlements Volunteer Force Brigade and the 12th Indian Infantry Brigade.[5]
The Brigade put up a stubborn defence during the Battle of Pasir Panjang[6] which included the famous last stand at Bukit Chandu led by a platoon of C Company of the Malay Regiment under the command of 2Lt Adnan bin Saidi.[7][8]
With the fall of the Pasir Panjang Ridge, the Brigade fell back to the defensive line established along Mount Echo in Tanglin to Buona Vista. The Brigade was disbanded with the general surrender of the Singapore on 15 February 1942.
Formations
editSeptember 1939
editThe following units were put under the command of the Brigade when it was initially formed as the Malaya Infantry Brigade in 1939:[9]
- 2nd Battalion Loyal Regiment (North Lancashire)
- 1st Battalion Manchester Regiment
- Transferred to the 2nd Malaya Infantry Brigade in September 1940
- 2nd Battalion Gordon Highlanders
- Transferred to the 2nd Malaya Infantry Brigade in September 1940
December 1940
editWith the formation of the 2nd Malaya Infantry Brigade, units were transferred to the new Brigade:[4]
- 2nd Battalion Loyal Regiment (North Lancashire)
- 1st Battalion Malay Regiment
- 2nd Battalion 17th Dogra Regiment
- Transferred to the 2nd Malaya Infantry Brigade in August 1941
December 1941
editThe following units were under the command of the Brigade during the outbreak of hostilities in Malaya on 8 December 1941:[10]
- 2nd Battalion Loyal Regiment (North Lancashire)
- 1st Battalion Malay Regiment
- 2nd Battalion Malay Regiment
February 1942
editThe final order of battle of the Brigade prior to its surrender and dissolution:[4][10]
- 2nd Battalion Loyal Regiment (North Lancashire)
- 1st Battalion Malay Regiment
- 2nd Battalion Malay Regiment
- 1st Battalion Mysore Infantry (Indian State Forces)
- Transferred to the Brigade on 18 December 1941 after the fall of Kota Bahru
- C Company Dalforce[8]
References
edit- ^ a b "1 Malaya Infantry Brigade - Unit History". Orders of Battle. Archived from the original on 26 September 2012. Retrieved 4 March 2012.
- ^ "Malaya Command (1930 - 1942) - History & Personnel" (PDF). British Military History. 30 December 2009. Retrieved 4 March 2012.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "2 Malaya Infantry Brigade - Unit History". Orders of Battle. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 4 March 2012.
- ^ a b c "Malaya Command Troops (1941-42)" (PDF). British Military History. 30 December 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 January 2013. Retrieved 4 March 2012.
- ^ Percival, A. E. (25 April 1946). "Operations of Malaya Command, From 8th December 1941 to 15th February 1942 (Part 3 - The Battle of Singapore)". The London Gazette. His Majesty's Stationery Office. Retrieved 4 March 2012.
- ^ Percival, A. E. (25 April 1946). "Operations of Malaya Command, From 8th December 1941 to 15th February 1942 (Part 3 - The Battle of Singapore - Section LIV: Events of the 13th February, 1942.)". The London Gazette. His Majesty's Stationery Office. Retrieved 4 March 2012.
- ^ Sheppard, Mervyn Cecil ff. (1947). The Malay Regiment 1933-1947. Kuala Lumpur, Malaya: Malaya Department of Public Relations.
- ^ a b Blackburn, Kevin; Hack, Karl (18 June 2004). Did Singapore Have to Fall?: Churchill and the Impregnable Fortress. United Kingdom: Taylor & Francis Ebooks. ISBN 978-1-134-39638-2.
- ^ "Malaya Command (1939)" (PDF). British Military History. 23 December 2009. Retrieved 4 March 2012.[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b "British and Dominion Armed Forces - Singapore Fortress 8 December 1942". World War II Armed Forces – Orders of Battle and Organizations. Retrieved 4 March 2012.
External links
edit- "1 Malaya Infantry Brigade". Orders of Battle.com.