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APPENDIX " K "
Malaya Command Operation Instruction No. 40
Ref. Map Johore and Singapore 1/25,000
1. Enemy attacked Western Area in strength 9th February and succeeded in penetrating to the East of Tengah aerodrome. A party of the enemy is reported to have blocked the road Hong Kah Village 6917—road junction 6313 in rear of 44 Ind. Inf. Bde.
2. A.I.F. Malaya have been ordered to with draw to and hold the line S. Kranji—Bulim Village 6919—S. Jurong. 6/15 Bde. has been placed under comd. of A.I.F. Malaya.
3. Should it be impossible to hold the enemy on the line mentioned in para. 2 above, G.O.C.Malaya intends to withdraw to an inner position on which the final battle for Singapore will be fought.
4. General line of this inner position will be:—
West Bank of Kallang River in 8711— thence west of the inundated area in 8611, 8612, and 8712 to Mt. Vernon 8814—north of Pierce Reservoir 8118—Hill 581 in 7616— west of Bukit Timah Village 7515—pt. 105 in 7412—Pasir Panjang Village 7409—thence along the south coast of Singapore Island to west bank of Rochore River in 8710. Pulau Blakang Mati, Pulau Brani. Pulau Tekong and the defended perimeter of Pengerang will also be held.
5. This position will be divided into three Areas:—
Northern Area —Comd.—Comd. 3 Ind. Corps. Troops—3 Ind. Corps of 11 Ind. Div. and 18 Div.
Southern Area —Comd. —Comd. Southern Area (Major - General Keith Simmons). Troops—existing garrison of Southern Area.
Western Area —Comd.—Comd. A.I.F. Malaya.
Note.—Allocation of 12 Ind. Inf. Bde. and 44 Ind. Inf. Bde. will be decided later. At least one of these formations wilt be in Command Reserve.
6. Boundaries.—The defended area defined in para. 4 above will be divided into sectors by boundaries as follows:—
Between 3 Ind. Corps and AJ.F. Incl. A.I.F. Electric Transmission Line 7716— Incl. Swiss Rifle Club 7715—-incl. road junc tion 780143—incl. Bukit Timah Road—road junction 838117.
Between 3 Ind. Corps and Southern Area. Incl. 3 Ind. Corps Macpherson Road— Serangoon Road—excl. Farrer Park—road junction 838117.
Between A.I.F. and Southern Area. Incl. Southern Area track 750107—Ayer Raja Road—Alexandra Road—road junction 809092—incl. road junction 812102— Grange Road—incl. road junction 827102— excl. road junction 829108—excl. road junction 838117.
Comd. Southern Area will be responsible for defence of Pulau Rlakang Mati, Pulau Brani. Pulau Tekong and Pengerang.
7. Reconnaissances of Areas will be carried out at once and the plans for the movement of formations into the areas allotted to them will be prepared. Formations will arrange to move back and locate in their new areas units located in their present areas which are under command of H.Q. Malaya Command.
8. C.A.A.D. will remain responsible to G.O.C. Malaya for A.A. Defences.
9. H.Q. of G.O.C. Malaya will be located at Fort Canning (Battle H.Q.) together with H.Q. Southern Area.
10. Administrative adjustments which can be made now to fit in with the above organization will be put in hand immediately.
11. ACK.
Adv. H.Q.M.C. 10th February. 1942.
T.O.O. 0050.
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