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APPENDIX " F."
Malaya Command Operation Instruction No. 35.
Information.
1. (a) Enemy. 5 Division (H.Q. Labis) operating astride the road Segamat—Ayer Hitam and has Guards Division on the axis Muar—Ayer Hitam.
(b) Own Troops. Our forward troops are holding North and West of Yong Peng road junction. We also hold Batu Pahat.
Intention.
2. Our troops will be withdrawn to-night to positions covering Kluang and Ayer Hitam and including Batu Pahat.
Method.
3. Yong Peng road junction will be held during the withdrawal under arrangements to to be made by Westforce. 53 Brigade Group less Loyals will be withdrawn under orders Westforce clearing Yong Peng road junction by midnight 23-24th January and will come under orders Comd. 3 Indian Corps on passing Ayer Hitam cross roads. Loyals will revert to Comd. Westforce.
Troops of 9 Indian Division operating on road Labis—Ayer Hitam will follow 53 Infantry Brigade under orders issued by Westforce.
4. Westforce will come under command of 3 Indian Corps as soon as last troops have been withdrawn south of Yong Peng road junction.
5. Garrison at Kahang may be withdrawn to Jemaluang area at discretion of Comd. 3 Indian Corps. Comd. Westforce will arrange flanking protection on the road Kluang— Jemaluang.
6. Main L. of C. Batu Pahat will be via west coast road.
Administrative.
7. The Comd. of the Kuang Area will be made responsible that the R.A.F. Petrol Dump at the Kluang Aerodrome which the Army is now using is destroyed if necessary to prevent it falling into the hands of the enemy.
Inter-Communication.
8. H.Q. 3 Indian Corps Johore Bahru. H.Q. Westforce. Rengam Area. H.Q. 11 Indian Division is moving to Pontian Kechil.
9. Ack.
Advance H.Q.M.C.
23rd January, 1942.
T.O.O. 1920.
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