“The end was to begin for Singapore.” These words mark the start of a tragic yet pivotal moment in Singapore’s history. Right here stands the Sarimbun Landing Memorial. It marks the spot where the Battle of Sarimbun Beach unfolded. It was the first stage of the Japanese assault on Singapore in February 1942 during World War II.
Sarimbun Beach now a place of quiet reflection was once a fiercely contested battleground. The Japanese troops under Lieutenant-General Tomoyuki Yamashita first attacked Allied forces here. These forces were predominantly British. Lieutenant-General Arthur Percival commander of all Allied forces in Singapore did not expect the main attack to come from the northwest. He failed to reinforce the 22nd Australian Brigade. They bore the brunt of the Japanese assault right here at the Sarimbun Landing Memorial.
Imagine the scene on the evening of February 8 1942. Australian machine-gunners opened fire on vessels carrying 4000 Japanese troops toward Singapore Island. The Japanese quickly assaulted Sarimbun Beach held by the 22nd Australian Brigade. Fierce fighting raged throughout the night. The Japanese had superiority in artillery tanks planes and military intelligence. This took its toll on the ill-reinforced defenders. The Japanese exploited gaps in the Allied defense line along the coast. They used small rivers streams and creeks.
By midnight the two Australian brigades had lost communications with each other. The 22nd Brigade retreated in confusion. More Japanese troops landed at 1:00 a.m. The last Australian reserves entered the battle. Toward dawn some elements of the 22nd Australian Brigade had been overrun or surrounded. The 2/18th Australian Infantry Battalion lost more than half of its personnel. The 2/20th Australian Infantry Battalion also resisted heavily. The 2/19th Australian Infantry Battalion was being outflanked.
Percival did not reinforce the depleted 22nd Australian Brigade. This happened until Tengah Airfield was threatened with capture. The Australian and Singaporean defense units retreated to the Jurong Line. Tengah Airfield was taken by the Japanese around midday on February 9.
Shortly after dark on February 9 three British Fairmile B motor launches raided the western channel of the Straits of Johor. Their objective was to attack Japanese landing-craft and disrupt communications. They sank a few Japanese landing craft before returning to Singapore. Some Allied soldiers saw this as an example of effective defensive tactics. These tactics were used too little and too late by their senior commanders.
The name Sarimbun comes from the word rimbun. It means luxuriant in reference to the Sarimbun River once present near the site. Sarimbun Beach now a serene landscape was once filled with mangrove swamps. It made attacking it extremely difficult. The main Japanese objective after landing at Sarimbun Beach was to capture Tengah Airfield. This would establish an airbase within Singapore.
The Sarimbun Landing Memorial serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made during the Battle of Sarimbun Beach. It stands as a testament to the resilience and courage of those who defended Singapore. Let us remember their bravery and learn from the lessons of the past.