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APPENDIX " G."
Minutes of Conference Held at Headquarters, Westforce.
1515 hours. 25th January, 1942.
Present:—G.O.C. (Lieut.-General percival). G.O.C. 3 Indian Corps (Lieut.-General Sir lewis heath). Comd. Westforce (Major-General gordon bennett).
Comd. 11 Indian Division (Major-General key).
1. Comd. 11 Indian Division reported that the force at Batu Pahat had been heavily engaged all the morning and that the coast road had been blocked near Senggarang.
2. Comd. Westforce reported that the situation at Kluang was confused but that we were still holding the Kluang road junction and he believed the counter attack carried out by the Sikhs had been successful.
3. The following decisions were taken: —
(a) Order the Batu Pahat Garrison to with draw at once and link up with 53 Infantry Brigade in the Senggarang area.
(b) Westforce to withdraw to-night to the general line S. Sayong Halt—S. Benut. This position to be held until the night 27-28th January at least. Subsequent withdrawals to take place to positions, to be laid down in advance, which would in turn be held for a minimum fixed period and longer if possible.
(c) Movement of Eastforce and 11 Division to conform to that of Westforce, under orders to be issued by 3 Indian Corps.
(d) In view of a possible threat to the Pontian Kechil area Comd. Westforce to hold a good battalion in reserve, whenever possible, which could be made available to move rapidly to that flank.
Advance HQ.M.C.
26th January, 1942.
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