Location
Lat 2° 2' 39N Long 102° 34' 8E Muar is located at an elevation of 16' / 4m above sea level on the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula in Johor State (Johore State) in Malaysia. Also known as Muar Town or Bandar Maharani. Borders the Strait of Malacca.
Wartime History
During early January 1942 after the British Army defeat at the Battle of Slim River, General Archibald Wavell, commander of the American-British-Dutch-Australian Command (ABDA) ordered an ambush at with a multinational force code named "Westforce" to defend the Muar area from the shore to mountains and divided into defensive areas.
Battle of Muar
On January 14, 1942 the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) "Mukaide Force" under the command of Colonel Mukaida (C. O. 1st Tank Regiment) including 1st Tank Regiment and infantry from the 9th Brigade with artillery support approached Gemas and the Gemensah Bridge where the Australian Army 2/30th Australian Battalion, under the command of Captain Desmond J. Duffy had concealed themselves of the far side and rigged the span with explosives and had field artillery sited on the approach. At 4:00pm, as Japanese 5th Division approached riding bicycles and crossed the bridge. As the main column approached on bikes with tanks and trucks behind the bridge was detonated and the Australians opened fire from well-protected firing positions.
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Last Updated
March 20, 2022
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