Japanese Invasion of Malaysia

lacquerese Invasion of Malaysiathe reasons for the quick Japanesse incursion of MalayaIn 1942INTRODUCTIONAfter the achievement and glory on many signifi gitt wars such as during Sino (1894-1895), Russo (1904-1905), Manchuria (1931) and China (1937), the Japanese was become the great power in the northern regional of Asia and also had steadily rose as a world power with much advancement in its military and related aspects1. Japan also had become the attraction in the revolution of economic through the great empowerments in the development of industrial after the successful of Industrial Power plan during the Meiji Dynasty era in 1867-1912. Japan also look their self as Leader from the East and bring his motto Asian for Asian of becoming part of a greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere 2 In 1939, German attack Poland from the West and Soviet Union (USSR) attack Poland from the East. Because of that, the Britishs Prime Minister, Nevile Chemberlain had declared war against the Ger many on 3 folk 1939. Meanwhile, France also had allied with the Great Britain to corporate and work together against Germany. As the newly colonial territories were getting larger, the British phalanx were incapable to either maneuver or defend it from outside attack. In view of this golden opport unity, the Japanese had intendedto wee control oversome regions in South East Asia such as Malaya and Singapore. The promote of resources supply by the United States to Japan after the invasion of China in Sino Japan War in 1937, forced the Japanese to look for alternating(a) suppliers to fulfill its requirements.REASON TO ATTACK RAPIDLYThe reason for the rapid of Japanese Invasion to Malaya can be shown from before invasion and after invasion started. In 1939, Malaya was the resource of 40% of the worlds rubber and 60% of the worlds tin that fact alone interested Japanese expansionists, but others additional reasons sea conduct the approval on the invasion planning that started in e arly 1941. Before the war, rubber and tin were exported to United Statesby its main producers mostly in Southeast Asia region. With the war sanction upon Japan by the United States and as the internal stocks were depleting, Japanese were forced to take drastic action to conquer the resources as soon as possible. Malaya was a part of the target.The Japanese needed oil badly as every drop of oil consumed by Japans military and industrial capacities had to be imported. For example, its Navy required 400 heaps of oil/ hour to maintain its war readiness. term Malaya only had a limited amount of oil production, the peninsula was a perfect staging point to fix and promote further invasion for the oil rich islands of Borneo, Java, and Sumatra. This will strongly condescend the military requirement its further objectives as well as from the old war i.e. Sino Japan War.Japan was looking for alternative resources as in Jun 1941, Japan was refused supplies of iron and oil from United Stat es, Britain, and Netherlands, therefore further reinforced Japanese thought that Southeast Asia must be taken. This reason make a main part of the Japanese invasion to Southeast Asian. The British France had allied and against the Germany, this was the irrefutable advantages as the loop holes significant in Malaya as well as other regions in Southeast Asia.Percival had decided to surrender at 1400hrs, Sunday, 15 February 1942 since his march had limited supplies which enough only for two days. In the other hand, Yamashitas multitude also had depleted ammunitions which was enough for couple days. In this point, it was obvious that Percival did not turn over sharp intelligence mind, weak and insufficient logistic supports. The reason for rapid invasion is because actually Japanese only have a little support from logistic. Yamashita pursue Percival to surrender immediately because he knows, the longer operation can make him lost. Yamashita also use weather as the advantage. The Mo nsoon weather through celestial latitude and January become a substantially concealment and the Japanese had taken advantages over erratic weather.THE REASON FOR THE RAPIDLY INVASIONThe Failure British StrategiesWhen the invasion started on 8 Dec 1941 in Kota Baharu, Kelantan, Japanese move from one place to another with smoothly. So many factor are contribute for this rapidly invasion. The meaning(a) factor for victory from Sun Tzu was If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the results of a hundred battles 3. This factor failed used by British to understand where the treat come from and the underestimating their enemy. Britishs defense concentrated on Singapore as well as Main Fleet to Singapore strategies adopted to shelter its territory. The Repulse and Prince of Wales stayed in Singapore. This strategic plan focus on Singapore, but Japanese attack from the North.Matador PlanEight month before the invasion, British soldiers strategists in Singapore prepare the secret pelan called Matador. This plan for defending forces to cross Malayan Siamese b govern 24 hours before any suspected by Japanese landing South of Siam4. British realize that Japanese most likely landing at Singora and Patani because both towns have airfield. But the Japanese employed legal trading operations security, deceptive routing, and speed to protect the movement and intended destination of their naval convoys. The result was that the Japanese were able to rapidly secure those ports, free energy their ground forces ashore, and begin their attacks down the Malayan peninsula against the British army before Operation Matador could be ordered into execution. The predictions, as its happen, are accurate but Matador is hung led by British top brass and ultimately failed5.Japan StrategiesThe Japanese army had obeyed the Thai non-aggression pact and also set up special unit named Doro Nawa which acted as Intelligence and sourcing for relevant information before launc hing its attack. Besides that, all of the forces were well condition with the tropical weather and picked Hainan Island as reading ground, they also well trained and wide experience in war. They had landed during night time or while heavy monsoon rain by surprise. While on the land, they were moving follow through road or rail account to south. As addition, the troops were tough and able to lived off the lands, no creed on re-supply lines.Another example of arranging operations was the Japanese decision to press their attack on Singapore rather than just shelling it. They had successfully occupied the entire Malayan peninsula, moving a large distance in constant contact with the enemy in a relatively in brief period of time, and they could have taken the opportunity to rest their forces and simply shell Singapore into sub complaint. Instead, they decided to directly attack Singapore. The Japanese felt that the psychological intrusion of the rapid capitulation of the so-called impregnable fortress of Singapore on both their enemy and their own people would be significant. They also wanted to take possession of the British naval base as soon as possible, and thus ensure safe passage of their ships through the Singapore straits. In addition, the troops involved in the Malaya-Singapore operation were sorely needed for the ongoing campaigns in the Philippines and the Netherlands East Indies 6. The Japanese forces still had momentum, whereas the British and their allies had been in retreat and on the defensive for most of the campaign. force per unit areaing the assault on Singapore thus exploited the Japanese strengths and the weaknesses of their enemies.Japanese StrengthsThe strength of this troops were consisted of 36,000 military, 28 Infantry Battalions, 80 Tanks, Aircraft for Army were 459 and then 158 for Naval usage, Its ships contain 6 Cruisers and 7 Destroyers and also 4 submarines.However, British troops were only used the outdated equipments with l imited supplies of ammunition and fuel for its operation. Meanwhile, the strength of its army consisted of 125,000 military with 38 Infantry Battalions, aircraft with 158 air forces, ships facility were 2 Cruisers and 4 Destroyers and without tank at all. This situation make a lot of different. British army always told their soldier that Japanese is very poor weapon and machinery, but when the invasion started most of the soldier especially British Indians Army, are run away because shocked looking for the tanks and aircraft.Well TrainingThe Japanese make a good decision to train their soldier at Hainan Island. The similarity of weather and terrain make advantage for the rapid invasion in Malaya. The first exercise took place in March of 1941, and involved large-scale naval forces and army maneuvers. Simulating an attack on Singapore following an amphibious landing in Malaya, the 5th Division (Army), escorted by Combined Fleet elements and with cover from army air units, crossed th e East China Sea while under simulated attack from air and naval units, made a landing on Kyushu, and simulated the capture of coastal defenses. That very successful exercise focused on development of antisubmarine and antiaircraft defense of convoys, the tactical challenges of amphibious landings, and rapid construction of airstrips in newly occupied areas. The commander of the exercise later became Yamashitas chief of staff in Malaya 7.Japanese War Tactical PlansIn order to invade the Malaya effectively and rapidly, the Japanese adopted various war tactical plans in the aspect of maritime, air as well as land which had be successful with flying colors. In the Maritime Tactical Plan, they had made sudden amphibious assault at night by apply local sampans and succeeded in the sinking of two Britishs major ships namely HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse.In other hand, Japanese Air Tactical Plan included having air superiority with greater subject and modern aircraft which operate d from south Thailand. They also had built secured aerodrome in the north Malaya which provided support for ground troops. Beside that, they also had provided air support from sea and would destroy British aircraft on the ground Land Tactical Plan covered the utilization of light tanks and 18,000ish bicycles which made them manoeuvre rapidly in hobo camp and jungle terrain fast-breaking with flanking tactics. As addition, the deployment of well trained 25th Army which had wide experiences in battle in China also advantages for Japan 8.ANALYSISBased on the discussion, we can differentiate the strategies, approaches as well as implementation by both parties either the Japanese or the British in this Malaya Singapore Campaign. This psychoanalysis can compare the reason for rapid Japanese invasion in Malaya.The JapaneseThe factor as per infra Innovative Tactic The troops had embraced advance(a) Flanking Tactics and utilization of traditional sampan as a medium of local maritime.Ja panese air superiority They had advancements in term of modern aircraft which provided air support to ground troops and eventually succeeded in the sinking of British warships.Surprise They had planned their attack well by putting surprises elements such as good concealing intentions, attacked at night as well as unpredicted utilization of light tanks in their movements.Deception They were good in camouflage as local people since they were quite resemble the Chinese while advancing. Beside that, they had done diversionary attack on NE coast of SingaporeFiltration The soldiers were penetrated into British line by using the jungle and had launched their operation in the small units.Continuity They were capable in fully exploiting their advancing momentum to the optimum and as a result they had successfully attacked on Singapore in within a week preparations.Rapid Manoeuvre They were able to move faster by using bicycles and each soldier also carry minimal payload beside no depen dency on conventional supply delivery.BritishThe factor as per below Poor appreciation They were having lack of preparations for this war such as made an assumption that Malaya was not accessible by tanks beside no tanks to stop land advance.Plan Matador averted The late decision by London to launch Matador make a first mistake and effect badly for British.Lack of air support Their aircrafts were severely attacked by the Japanese and as a result all of them had destroyed on the ground. Besides, these small number aircraft were older, outdated and deteriorating.Fleet to Singapore dodging collapsed This strategy was aborted with the sinking of HMS Prince of Wales and HMS RepulseLacks of jungle training Although the strength of British army were outnumbered the Japanese soldiers, they were incompetent to have a battle in the tropical jungle compared to Japanese army which had intensive training in the tropical Hainan Jungle.Lack of resources Most of military or war equipments s uch as aircrafts belongs to British troops were outdated and insufficient. The worst part, important war machine such as tank was not provided.CONCLUSIONThe Japanese success during the Malaya campaign, like any success, can be attributed to a number of factors. It could be argued that political decisions on the part of the British with respect to theater priorities and force allocations prevented the British in Malaya from being let on supported by their air and naval forces. It could be argued that there were issues of leadership and unity of command, issues of training and morale, and that elements of luck played a part. Certainly these were all factors, as no doubt were others. But it doesnt change the fact that the Japanese conducted a joint warfighting campaign as it would be defined in todays terms, and it was that aspect of their operations that was crucial to their success in Malaya, irrespective of other factors.Japanese victory on its instant invasion over Malaya and Sing apore were significant and historical moments for Japan because it was shown to the world that Japanese army was superior compared to the British forces. Beside that it was important to note that the Japan succession was heavily rely on well planned mission by its brilliant commander, General Yamashita as well as his experienced troops. They had prepared accordingly in term of modern military and war equipments, effective and excellent tactics, strategy and coordination. The Japanese propaganda also important because it was accepted by people to release them from British. Meanwhile, from the wide perspectives, the British had badly defeated mainly ascribable to unprepared nest of British army as well as the Malaya itself to fight in the battle. They were being complacency with the assumption that no other verdant could overpower their colonial territories in Malaya. They also concentrated to the updates on the newly declared war between their country and the Germany. Although thei r troops were outnumbered the Japanese, most of them were soldiers who have no battle experience in the jungle. The sufficient, appropriate military and war equipment such as the absence of tank and enough ammunition, naval and air defense for these teenage soldiers also had contributed to the loss.Japanese Invasion of MalayaDecember 8, 1941 January 31, 19421 Malcolm Kennedy, A Short Story of Japan, Mentors Book, USA, 1963, p188.2 Howard J Langer, The World War II The Ranking of the Most Influential Figures of the south World War, Published by Bounty Books 2006, p 193.3 Tzu, Sun. The Art of War. Edited by James Clavell. New York Delacorte Press, 1983 p 8.4 Ong Chit Chung, Operation Matador, Eastern Universities Press 2003, p 233.5 The Fall of Malaya, Media Master Guides To Pacific War Battlefields (1941-1945)6 Falk, Stanley L., Seventy Days to Singapore. New York G.P. Putnams Sons,1975, p 44.7 Falk, Stanley L., Seventy Days to Singapore. New York G.P. Putnams Sons,1975, p 258 Edw ard L Dreyer, China at War 1901-1949, Published by Longman, London 1995, p 206.