Battle of Pasir Panjang | |||||||
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Part of the Battle of Singapore, Pacific War | |||||||
Pasir Panjang Pillbox |
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Belligerents | |||||||
Empire of Japan | |||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Lt. Col. J.R.G. Andre Cpt. H.R. Rix † Adnan Saidi † |
Renya Mutaguchi Yoshio Nasu |
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Units involved | |||||||
1st Malaya Brigade 44th Indian Brigade |
56th Infantry Regiment, 18th Division | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
1,400 infantry | 13,000 infantry | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
159 killed | Unknown |
The Battle of Pasir Panjang, which took place between 13 to 15 February 1942, was part of the final stage of the Empire of Japan's invasion of Singapore during World War II. The battle was initiated upon the advancement of elite Imperial Japanese Army forces towards Pasir Panjang at Pasir Panjang Ridge on 13 February.
13,000 Japanese troops had made an amphibious landing in the northwest part of Singapore near Sarimbun (see Battle of Sarimbun Beach), and had started to advance south towards Pasir Panjang. They had already captured Tengah Airfield en route. The 13,000 soldiers constituted a significant part of the total strength of 36,000 Japanese troops deployed in the invasion of Singapore.
The 1st Malaya Infantry Brigade, comprising the British 2nd Loyal Regiment under Lieutenant Colonel Mordaunt Elrington, the 1st Malaya Regiment commanded by Lieutenant Colonel J. R. G. Andre, consisting of less than three sections of the Mortar Platoon, Anti-Aircraft Platoon with the Bren Gun Carrier Platoon under Captain R. R. C. Carter held in reserve. They were tasked with defending the approach to Pasir Panjang ridge, known as The Gap. The 44th Indian Brigade were on their right flank.