The Japanese Imperial Army landed the 25th Army under the command of General Tomoyuki Yamashita on the east coasts of Malaya and Thailand on the night of 7 December 1941.

History

The Japanese Imperial Army invaded Malaya and Thailand on 7 December 1941. The conquest of Malaya was completed in less than three months when Singapore surrendered on 15 February 1942. The Japanese Twenty-Fifth Army under General Tomoyuki Yamashita was given the task of conquering Malaya.

Order of Battle Japanese 25th Army on 8 December 1941

Imperial Guards Division

The Imperial Guards Division made its first appearance in the Malayan campaign during the Battle of Muar where it destroyed the 45th Indian Brigade and inflicted heavy casualties on the two supporting Australian infantry battalions. The Imperial Guards took part in the Battle of Singapore.

5th Infantry Division

The 5th Division faced the brunt of British defences throughout the Battle of Malaya and participated in the invasion of Singapore. The 5th Division landed at Patani and Singora in Thailand on 7 December 1941 and then proceeded to attack down the west coast of Malaya. The 41st Regiment of 5th Division suffered heavy casualties at the Battle of Kampar when the 11th Indian Division set up an artillery and infantry ambush, but a few days later the 5th Division managed to destroy the 12th Indian and 28th Gurkha Brigades of the 11th Indian Division at the Battle of Slim River between 6 and 8 January 1942. The 11th and 41st Regiments of 5th Division suffered heavy casualties at the hands of the Australian 8th Division at the ambush at Gemencheh Bridge.

18th Infantry Division

This division supplied the troops used in the invasion of Malaya at Kota Bharu. The 18th Division attacked down the east coast of Malaya and participated in the Battle of Singapore especially at Bukit Timah.

Auxiliary units

Artillery

Engineers

Line of communication (headquarters and units)

Armoured Units

3rd Tank Group

Air Units

Army 3rd Air Corps (飛行集団, Hikō Shudan)

Navy 11th Koku Kantai

Based at Saigon, these units also served in the Philippines Campaign Ship board units