Deceptive Reception PTO (id:#57579)

Critical Hit (Total Pacific Theatre Pack 1 ID: PTO1-7)   [next]   [previous]

Gemencheh Bridge, Malaya 1942-01-14 (1 other)

Overview:

In Malaysia, intensive Japanese air attacks on Commonwealth troops added to the pressure of the Japanese advance down the western part of the peninsula. The British Command planned a series of delaying actions as the men of the III Indian Corps slowly retreated southwards into the through the lines established by the newly arrived Australians. Bridges along the road would be left intact to heighten the effect of disorganized flight by the Indian troops, but were actually meant to lull the Japanese into becoming over-confident and careless. An ambush was set up by the veteran 2/30th Battalion AIF, at a small wooden bridge of the Gemencheh River. Shortly before 1600 on January 14, Japanese soldiers on bicycles passed through the ambush position while the Australians waited for the motorized transport section. Just a few minutes later, another bicycle column began crossing the bridge, and the Australians decided that the ambush would be triggered by setting off the demolition charge under the bridge. . .

Defender: Australian (B Company, 2/30 Australian Infantry Battalion)  

Errata (source)