1st Malaya Infantry Brigade

History

Formed on 3 September 1939, the formation was initially known as the Malaya Infantry Brigade as part of the wartime expansion and reinforcement of Malaya Command. It was re-designated the 1st Malaya Infantry Brigade when the 2nd Malaya Infantry Brigade was formed on 8 September 1940.

Malayan Campaign

The 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 With the collapse of the defences in Kota Bahru, the Battalion was withdrawn to Singapore and was joined with the 1st Malaya Infantry Brigade on 18 December 1941.

Battle of Singapore

All 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.

The Brigade put up a stubborn defence during the Battle of Pasir Panjang which included the famous last stand at Bukit Chandu led by a platoon of C Company of the Malay Regiment under the command of Second lieutenant Adnan bin Saidi.

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

September 1939

The following units were put under the command of the Brigade when it was initially formed as the Malaya Infantry Brigade in 1939:

• 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

With the formation of the 2nd Malaya Infantry Brigade, units were transferred to the new Brigade:

• 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

The following units were under the command of the Brigade during the outbreak of hostilities in Malaya on 8 December 1941:

• 2nd Battalion Loyal Regiment (North Lancashire)
• 1st Battalion Malay Regiment
• 2nd Battalion Malay Regiment

February 1942

The final order of battle of the Brigade prior to its surrender and dissolution:

• 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

References

References

1. "1 Malaya Infantry Brigade - Unit History". Orders of Battle.
2. Palmer, Robert. (2019-12-07). "A Concise History of Malaya Command (1930-42) (History & Personnel)".
3. "2 Malaya Infantry Brigade - Unit History". Orders of Battle.
4. (2009-12-30). "Malaya Command Troops (1941-42)". British Military History.
5. Percival, A. E.. (1946-04-25). "Operations of Malaya Command, From 8th December 1941 to 15th February 1942 (Part 3 - The Battle of Singapore)". His Majesty's Stationery Office.
6. Percival, A. E.. (1946-04-25). "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.)". His Majesty's Stationery Office.
7. (1947). "The Malay Regiment 1933-1947". Malaya Department of Public Relations.
8. (18 June 2004). "Did Singapore Have to Fall?: Churchill and the Impregnable Fortress". Taylor & Francis Ebooks.
9. (2019-12-07). "Malaya Command 1939".
10. "British and Dominion Armed Forces - Singapore Fortress 8 December 1942". World War II Armed Forces – Orders of Battle and Organizations.