After victory at Sarimbun Beach, the Japanese attempted to open a second beachhead at Kranji (west of Sarimbun). This position was defended by 2,000 men from the 27th Australian Brigade and Dalforce (a milita unit consisting of Chinese volunteers).
The Japanese objective was to capture Kranji so that they could repair the Causeway. A functional Causeway would allow the main bulk of the invasion force to enter Singapore from Johor. The Japanese had planned their invasion from the Johor Palace and agreed to execute their mission on the night of 9 Feburary.
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| The view of Palace of Sultan of Johor from Sungei Buloh, Singapore, 2020 |
At 2030, the Japanese Imperial Guards landed in Kranji via special landing crafts. The Australian forces led by Brigadier Duncan Maxwell engaged the Japanese.
10 February 1942
Although initial successes, the Japanese suffered heavy losses as they fell into a trap at Kranji River in the early hours. The Australians had ignited oil drum traps and fired mortar and heavy machine gun rounds into the Japanese advance. General Takuma Nishimura requested permission for the Japanese to withdraw, but his superior (the infamous Tomoyuki Yamashita) denied him.
Receiving news of the loss of Sarimban Beach, Maxwell preemptively withdrew his troops southwards to the Jurong Defence line. This effectively allowed the Japanese to capture the area and repair the Causeway for the rest of the invasion force to approach.
Lieutenant General Arthur Percival ordered Maxwell to guard the defensive line and to only withdraw if necessary. Again Maxwell withdrew from the defensive line preemptively. This exposed the supply depot at Bukit Timah to the Japanese.
While Maxwell attribute his early withdrawal to miscommunication, it was alleged that he feared the massive loss of Australian lives and purposely retreated early.
The second battle on Singapore soil was fought and lost.
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