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For a detailed description of the Kranji Battle see FORTRESS SINGAPORE, The Battlefield Guide, pp. 38-41, Maj. Yap Siang Yong, Romen Bose, Angeline Pang, Times Books International, Second Edition 1995. Available at most major book sellers in Singapore.
On February 8, 1942 the Japanese 18th and 5th divisions crossed the Straits landing at Sarimbun. The next day the Japanese Imperial Guards Division landed at Kranji. The British-Australian forces were too spread out and not re-enforced with artillery; they were no match for the battle-hardened Japanese. The invasion of February 9 straddled the Kranji River and to the west.
The Japanese quickly consolidated their position and advanced down Lim Chu Kang Road, then across on Choa Chu Kang Road, towards Bukit Timah.
| This photo was taken from the jetty at the end of Lim Chu Kang Road. We are looking at the west side of the Straits where the Japanese 5th Division crossed into Singapore. This was part of the second day's landings on February 9. | |
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At the end of the jetty looking back towards the beach, which at this location are really mud flats.
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The photo on the left shows the Sultan of Jahore's Tower. The Sultan's Palace was used as Yamashita's headquarters prior to landing in Singapore. |
Percival did not want to upset the Sultan, so he purposely did not fire artillery at the tower. As you can see, at low tide, the mud flats would have made it pretty hard to land tanks and vehicles. For the British, it was a shame they did not have adequate defenses built up on the north side of the island.
 Landing near the jetty. |
 Landing near Kranji Reservoir |
Copyright © Glenn Griffin 1999, 2000 and 2003. All rights reserved
