Japanese Invasion of Malaysia

japanese Invasion of Malaysiathe reasons for the fast lacqueresse usurpation of MalayaIn 1942INTRODUCTIONAfter the victory and glory on galore(postnominal) signifi commodet contends such as during Sino (1894-1895), Russo (1904-1905), Manchuria (1931) and China (1937), the Nipponese was become the majuscule power in the northern regional of Asia and likewise had steadily uprise as a world power with much advancement in its military and related outlooks1. Japan also had become the leader in the revolution of economic through the great empowerments in the development of industrial after the victorious of Industrial Power intent during the Meiji Dynasty era in 1867-1912. Japan also look their self as Leader from the einsteinium 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 western and Soviet Union (USSR) attack Poland from the East. Because of that, the Britishs Prime Minister, Nevi le Chemberlain had decl ared state of war against the Germany on 3 September 1939. Meanwhile, France also had all toldied with the Great Britain to corporate and flow together against Germany. As the freshly colonial territories were getting larger, the British forces were incap fitted to either control or defend it from outside attack. In view of this golden opport unit of measurementy, the Nipponese had intendedto incur control oversome regions in siemens East Asia such as Malaya and capital of capital of capital of Singapore. The sanction of imaginativenesss supply by the coupled States to Japan after the trespass of China in Sino Japan contend in 1937, forced the Japanese to look for alternative suppliers to fulfill its wants. suit TO ATTACK quicklyThe reason for the rapid of Japanese Invasion to Malaya can be shown from in the lowerning onslaught and after invasion started. In 1939, Malaya was the resource of 40% of the worlds rubber and 60% of the worlds tin th at fact alone implicated Japanese expansionists, but opposites additional reasons oceanled the approval on the invasion forgening that started in early 1941. Before the war, rubber and tin were exported to coupled Statesby its master(prenominal) 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 halt drastic action to conquer the resources as soon as possible. Malaya was a part of the target.The Japanese needed oil badly as e very(prenominal)(prenominal) drop of oil consumed by Japans military and industrial capacities had to be imported. For example, its dark blue required 400 tons of oil/ hour to maintain its war readiness. While Malaya plainly had a limited amount of oil production, the peninsula was a perfect staging point to launch and accept further invasion for the oil rich islands of Borneo, Java, and Sumatra. This will strongly subscribe the military r equirement its further objectives as well as from the previous war i.e. Sino Japan fight.Japan was looking for alternative resources as in Jun 1941, Japan was refused supplies of agitate and oil from United States, Britain, and Netherlands, therefore further reinforced Japanese musical theme 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 confirmatory advantages as the loop holes noteworthy in Malaya as well as other regions in Southeast Asia.Percival had de margeined to surrender at 1400hrs, Sunday, 15 February 1942 since his military man had limited supplies which enough only for two days. In the other hand, Yamashitas troops also had depleted ammunitions which was enough for couple days. In this point, it was demonstrable that Percival did non fox sharp intelligence mind, weak and insufficient logistic supports. The reason for rapid invasion is because actually Japanese only subscribe a little support from logistic. Yamashita pursue Percival to surrender immediately because he knows, the longer exploit can make him lost. Yamashita also use tolerate as the advantage. The Monsoon weather through fallember and January become a faithful 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 broker are contribute for this rapidly invasion. The cardinal chemical element for victory from Sun Tzu was If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the essences of a hundred skirmishs 3. This factor failed used by British to understand where the treat come from and the underestimating their enemy. Britishs defense force concentrated on Singapore as well as Main slide by to Singapore strategies select to safeguard its territory. The Repulse and Prince of Wales stayed in Singapore. This strategic plan focus on Singapore, but Japanese attack from the North.Matador visualiseEight month ahead the invasion, British Military strategists in Singapore prepare the secret pelan called Matador. This plan for defending forces to cross Malayan Siamese border 24 hours before any suspected by Japanese landing South of Siam4. British realize that Japanese most likely landing at Singora and Patani because two towns have airfield. But the Japanese employed effective operations security, unreal 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, push their ground forces ashore, and begin their attacks down the Malayan peninsula against the British the States 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 force 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 launching its attack. anyways that, all of the troops were well condition with the tropical weather and picked Hainan Island as t precipitateing ground, they also well trained and immense 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 itinerary or rail line to south. As addition, the troops were tough and able to lived off the lands, no reliance on re-supply lines.Another example of agreement 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 allude with the enemy in a relatively short period of ti me, and they could have taken the opport champion to rest their forces and simply shell Singapore into submission. Instead, they decided to directly attack Singapore. The Japanese felt that the psychological impact 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 current 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. Pressing the assault on Singapore thus exploited the Japanese dominances 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 master 6 Cruisers and 7 Destroyers and also 4 submarines.However, British troops were only used the outdated equipments with limited 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 spend that Japanese is very poor apparatus 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 big navy and army maneuvers. Simulating an attack on Singapore following an amphibian landing in Malaya, the 5th Division (Army), escorted by Combined Fleet elements and with cover from army air units, crossed the East China ocean while under simulated attack from air and naval units, make a landing on Kyushu, and simulated the capture of strandal defenses. That very successful exercise focused on development of antisubmarine and attack defense of convoys, the tactical challenges of amphibian 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 efficaciously and rapidly, the Japanese adopted various war tactical plans in the survey of maritime, air as well as land which had proven successful with flying colors. In the Maritime Tactical Plan, they had made sudden amphibious assault at night by using 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 number and modern aircraft which operated 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 jungle and jungle terrain faster with flanking tactics. As addition, the deployment of well trained twenty-fifth 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 analysis can equality th e reason for rapid Japanese invasion in Malaya.The JapaneseThe factor as per below Innovative Tactic The troops had embraced innovative Flanking simulated military operation and utilization of traditional sampan as a medium of local maritime.Japanese 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. rage 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 advance. 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 advanc ing momentum to the optimum and as a result they had successfully attacked on Singapore in within a week preparations.Rapid frolic They were able to move faster by using bicycles and each soldier also carry minimal payload beside no dependency on conventional supply delivery.BritishThe factor as per below pitiable appreciation They were having lack of preparations for this war such as made an precondition 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 heavily 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 strategy collapsed This strategy was aborted with the sinking of HMS Prince of Wales and HMS RepulseLacks of jungle develop Although the strength of British a rmy 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 approximately of military or war equipments such as aircrafts belongs to British troops were outdated and insufficient. The worst part, important war machine such as tank was not provided. inferenceThe 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 obedience to theater priorities and force allocations prevented the British in Malaya from being better back up 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 c onducted 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 Singapore 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 due to unprepared go up of British army as well as the Malaya itself to fight in th e battle. They were being complacency with the assumption that no other country could get the best their colonial territories in Malaya. They also concentrated to the updates on the newly declare war between their country and the Germany. Although their 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 young soldiers also had contributed to the loss.Japanese Invasion of MalayaDecember 8, 1941 January 31, 19421 Malcolm Kennedy, A piteous 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 Second 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 yellow journalism 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 Edward L Dreyer, China at War 1901-1949, Published by Longman, London 1995, p 206.