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APPENDIX "C." 23rd December. 1941. Headquarters Malaya Command order No. 28.' The broad policy is to continue opposition to the enemy on the mainland to cover the arrival of our reinforcements. 5. 3 Indian Corps.—Will fight the enemy wherever met and will NOT give ground till forced to subject to the condition that the Corps must remain in being as a fighting formation. It is of importance to cover Kuala Lumpur as long as possible owing to the large amount of material stored in that area. The lateral road Jerantut—Raub—Kuala Kubu provides the main communication between East and West Malaya. This important factor should be given full consideration in the conduct of the battle. 6. It is the intention to withdraw the Kuantan garrison at a time to be decided later, dependent upon the development of operations elsewhere and upon climatic conditions. Preliminary arrangements will be put in hand forthwith. 7. On completion of the withdrawal of the garrisons from Kelantan and Kuantan, the role of the 9 Indian Division will be: (a) to protect the Line of Communication Gemas—Kuala Lipis. (b) to prevent the enemy repairing and using the Line of Communication Kuala Lipis—Kuala Krai. (c) to form a reserve in the area Raub Bentong. 8. The 11 Indian Division should therefore, if forced to fall back from its present position, fight the enemy in South Perak under instructions to be issued by the Commander, 3 Indian Corps, who will ensure that the operations of the two divisions are co-ordinated. 9. The Commander, 3 Indian Corps, will also be prepared for landings on the west coast of Malaya. For this purpose a small naval flotilla is being formed and will be based on Port Swettenham. 10. A.I.F.—While retaining his main forces for the defence of the east coast, the Com mander, A.I.F., will at the same rime make preliminary arrangements to deal with (a) an enemy advance down the main Kuala Lumpur —Singapore road (6) landings by small enemy forces on the west coast of Malaya. 11. C.A.A.D__The C.A.A.D. will be pre pared to provide the maximum possible A.A. protection for ships arriving with reinforcements while they are unloading. 12. Singapore Fortress.—The Commander, Singapore Fortress, will arrange for reconnaissance of the north shore of Singapore Island to select positions for the defence of possible landing places. 14. There must be NO unnecessary withdrawals. 15. Arrangements are being made by Head quarters Malaya Command to harass the enemy's communications. Similar arrangements should be made by subordinate formations whenever the opportunity offers.
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