Dalforce
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
Please help improve this article or section by expanding it. Further information might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion. This article has been tagged since January 2007. |
| Dalforce | |
|---|---|
 Flag of British Straits Settlements. |
|
| Active | 25 December 1941 - 13 February 1942 |
| Country | Singapore |
| Branch | Guerrilla Army |
| Role | Light Infantry |
| Size | Approx. 4,000 soldiers |
| Part of | Straits Settlements Volunteer Force |
| Garrison/HQ | Kim Yam Road Headquarters, Singapore |
| Nickname | Dalley's Desperadoes |
| Battles/wars | Battle of Singapore Battle of Bukit Timah Battle of Pasir Panjang |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
Lt. Col. John Dalley |
Dalforce (a.k.a Singapore Overseas Chinese Anti-Japanese Volunteer Army) was a mixed group of Kuomintang, Communist Chinese and Singaporeans formed to defend Singapore. It was created on 25 December 1941 by Lieutenant Colonel John Dalley of the Federated Malay States police force. The army was named Dalforce, after its chief instructor and commanding officer, John Dalley.
Contents |
[edit] Origins
Dalley had suggested creating a guerrilla network in 1940, but it was not until about a year later, when the Japanese invasion was imminent, did it become apparent that the recruitment of the local Chinese against the Japanese was essential, despite the majority of them favouring Communists. The British Government relented and on 25 December 1941, Dalforce was established. John Dalley, together with his fellow British officers, began training in Johore in mid-January 1942 with a force of 200 men. By the time of the Battle of Singapore, Dalforce numbered 4,000 resistance fighters.
[edit] Development
The troops wore normal clothes, white canvas shoes and a piece of white cloth on their head as there were no uniforms or helmets. Most were issued World War I Lee-Enfield rifles, bayonets and only 24 bullets. Others had to carry weapons used for hunting animals (shotguns, swords, parangs etc). Only few wielded grenades and none were given machine guns. The men were given simple military training of about 10 days. Female members were responsible for first aid, cooking, relaying messages and other simple tasks.
Many Dalforce soldiers felt the British military was being unfair as British soldiers, Indian soldiers, Australian soldiers, the Gurkha army and the Malayan People's Anti-Japanese Army were better equipped. The British actually intended to fully equip the guerilla forces but could not be done when the troop carrier, the SS Empress of Asia, which carried the vital supplies for the men, was sunk by Japanese aircraft while on its way to Singapore from Bombay.
[edit] Combat history
Dalforce fought in Bukit Timah, Woodlands, Kranji, Johore and reportedly served in the Battle of Pasir Panjang. The army suffered severe casualties due to lack of training, equipment and armament. Despite this, Dalforce managed to inflict heavy casualties on the enemy as well, likely because of the Japanese frequent use of banzai charges, which gave the guerillas clear targets. The Japanese despised Dalforce bitterly, deciding to use them as an excuse for their savage treatment of innocent civilians.
[edit] Disbandment
On 13 February 1942, two days before Percival's surrender of Singapore, Colonel Dalley assembled Dalforce troops at Kim Yam Road Headquarters and ordered them to disband. The surviving members were each paid S$10 for their services.
Many men and women would be captured, tortured and executed during the Japanese occupation of Singapore for their involvement in the army. Others would escape into the jungles and continue the resistance by joining up with the Malayan People's Anti-Japanese Army.
The British noted how ferociously the Chinese volunteers in Dalforce fought which earned them the nickname "Dalley's Desperadoes." A mini-series called A War Diary, filmed by a Singapore production company, shows Dalforce in the first few episodes. However, the series never went on sale nor was it aired again since its premiere in 2000.
