Malaya

Discussion in 'General' started by mooshoepork, Apr 25, 2005.

  1. mooshoepork

    mooshoepork Junior Member

    Hello, I'm doing a project for school on the Malay peninsula and have 2 questions i cant find answers to. How were the people in the pacific region affected after the invasion? and what was the outcome? any help would be greatly appreciated. :)
     
  2. Kiwiwriter

    Kiwiwriter Very Senior Member

    The outcome: the Japanese conquered Malaya in less than 90 days, bundling a British Commonwealth force that outnumbered them three to one down the peninsula. Effect on the Malay people: they no longer believed the British Empire was invincible and demanded independence after the war. Check out my article in World War II History Magazine if you can find it.
     
  3. GUMALANGI

    GUMALANGI Senior Member

    Since you said pacific region,..

    can i add Indonesia, which located just near by to Malaya peninsula.. former Dutch Colony used to be known as East India
    People of Indonesia, at least some if not most, have the perception of being
    liberated from Dutch colonialist. Japan was considered as 'Older' Brother to Indonesian that period. Japan was then created several Military Bodies consists of natives. which promised to be a future of Indonesia Armed Force once Indonesia being Granted Independence by Japanese. Despite of not everybody trust on 'too good to be true' promised. On 1945 when Japan was bombed, Admiral Maeda, one of the highest Military Authorities in East India region blessed the request by mr Soekarno a local movement leader and his men to declare sovereignty of Rep. of Indonesia on August 1945.
    Despite of above,..The atrocities of Indonesia under Japanese rules can be compared to any other country which once was occupied by Japan, They were comfort ladies, Forced labour and many other type of supressions.

    Regards
    Gumalangi
     
  4. Blackblue

    Blackblue Senior Member

    The Japanese forces assigned to the invasion of Malaya and Singapore were around 110,000 with the allied defenders eventually totalling about 130,000 with the vast majority of these being either poorly trained or Lines of Communication Troops based in Singapore. The Commonwealth units that actually fought against the Japanese in Malaya itself were considerably outnumbered. When the surrender came in Singapore the Japanese were considerably outnumbered on the island itself, however the remainder of their army were just across the causeway. The fighting Divisions the Japanese put in the field already had extensive battle experience in China, whilst the majority of Commonwealth units were relatively new formations with none. The allies were defeated by experienced troops, with far better preparation, experience, equipment, logistics and air support. The Japanese occupied Malaya, Singapore and most of the South West Pacific Area within a matter of months and ended up in New Guinea on Australia's doorstep before the tide was eventually turned in late 1942. The people of the Pacific region were greatly affected. Forced labour for the majority of civilians and wholesale executions were the order of the day, let alone considering the treatment of captured military personnel. There is plenty on the net about the Japanese occupation and atrocities.

    Rgds

    Tim
     

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