Four miles further up the road from LENGGONG was the village of SUMPITAN and approaching it in strength were the Japanese. The Commanding Officer of the Independent Company went forward to SUMPITAN to make contact with the Officer-in-Charge of the Argylls. When contact was made, just before dark, it was apparent that the troops were…
View MoreAt 14.00hrs (18th December 1941) Independent Company ordered to move to LENGGONG to take over from the company of Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders which had been fighting the enemy, starting at Kroh (Pengkalan Hulu), since the 14th of December and had withdrawn to just north of the village of SUMPITAN. 17/12/41: Day was spent with…
View MoreWhile in TAIPING, the rear party, which had been left behind in the Company’s camp at SEMILING on the 6th of December, rejoined under the command of Lt. Simpson. They brought with them news that the stores and main buildings of the camp had been completely destroyed by fire on Lt Simpson’s orders before the…
View MoreAt 20.00hrs, the Company moved to the south bank of the Muda River with orders to cover off the remnants of the retreating troops and blow up the two bridges, one concrete, one wooden. The two bridges were blown by a S & M Unit at 0700hrs on the 16th. The concrete bridge was demolished…
View MoreAn air raid over PRAI greeted the Company at 08.00hrs and by 14.00hrs the Company was at SUNGAI LALANG watching the retreat of the 11th Division troops. To the west of the Company’s position rose the great mass of KEDAH PEAK, an area well known to the Company, and ideally situated as a base for…
View MoreWith Allied forces in full retreat on the mainland following the disastrous battle of Jitra, there was a need for troops. The Independent Company left Penang Island by minesweepers at night for Prai. Georgetown was an awe-inspiring sight with great fires raging through the length and breadth of the Chinese quarter.
View MoreBilleted at Glugor (Gelugor). Under the command of the Commander, Penang Fortress, the initial role given to the Company was that of mobile reserve with the particular tasks of rounding up enemy paratroopers, and re-inforcement of any point of the Island which might be in danger of attack.
View MoreRelieved by Gurkhas at 02.45hrs in KUALA NERANG, moved to SUNGAI PATANI on the 9th of December. After a short stop, then moved onto PENANG arriving 09.45hrs on the 10th.
View MoreThe Independent Company left CHANGLUN at 02.00hrs and travelled to KUALA NERANG, arriving at 04.00hrs.
View MoreOn the early evening 6th of Dec 1941, the Independent Company was at it’s training camp in GEMILING when it was ordered to go to CHANGLUN.
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