Dalforce

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Dalforce, or the Singapore Overseas Chinese Anti-Japanese Volunteer Army (星华义勇军; Xinghua Yi Yong Jun) was an irregular forces/guerrilla unit within the British Straits Settlements Volunteer Force during World War II. It's members were recruited among the ethnic Chinese people of Singapore. It was created on 25 December 1941 by Lieutenant Colonel John Dalley of the Federated Malay States Police Force. The unit was named Dalforce, after its chief instructor and commanding officer, John Dalley. The unit took part in the Battle of Singapore and some members conducted a guerilla campaign against Japanese forces during the Japanese occupation.

The British noted how ferociously the Chinese volunteers in Dalforce fought, earning them the nickname Dalley's Desperadoes.

[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. 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 SS Empress of Asia ablaze after being attacked by Japanese aircraft. Part of the supplies onboard the ship were to equip Dalforce.

Because there were insufficient British standard army issue unifoms and helmets to be distributed to Dalforce, the troops had to wear white canvas shoes, white bandanas and mostly blue coloured shirts made from tailors to prevent tragedies from friendly fire.

Most were issued Short Magazine Lee-Enfield Mk III rifles, bayonets and two 10-round magazine clips. Others had to carry weapons used for hunting animals, such as shotguns, sporting rifles and parangs. Military training lasted up until the Japanese invaded Singapore. Female members were given the responsibility of simple tasks like first aid and cooking.

The British actually intended to fully equip the troops but became impossible when the liner 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] Disposition of companies

Dalforce had a total of five companies in Singapore, each containing about a hundred troops:

• 1) Company stationed at Jurong 18th Milestone.
• 2) Company attached to the Australian 22nd Brigade at Sarimbun beach.
• 3) Company at Causeway Sector.
• 4) Company at area between Serangoon River and Pasir Ris (Also referred to as the company at Hougang).
• 5) Overseas Chinese Guard Platoon stationed in Kranji.

[edit] Combat History

Dalforce fought in the battles of Sarimbun Beach, Bukit Timah, as well as the Woodlands and Kranji areas. They were mostly used to patrol mangrove swamps where enemy landings might be made. A Dalforce unit was also attached to the 1st Malaya Infantry Brigade which took part in the Battle of Pasir Panjang. Dalforce was most notable in the Battle of Bukit Timah. Because of their resistance, the Japanese sought revenge by slaughtering an entire Chinese village nearby.

The unit suffered severe casualties due to lack of training, equipment and armament. Nonetheless, Dalforce managed to inflict heavy casualties on the enemy as well, likely because of the Japanese frequent use of the banzai charge tactic, which gave the guerillas clear targets. The Japanese despised the resistance fighters, deciding to use them as an excuse for their savage treatment of the Chinese population, but this behaviour was instigated by the Kempeitai rather than by General Yamashita.

[edit] End of Dalforce

On 13 February 1942, two days before General 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 ten Straits dollars for their services.^[1]

Many men and women would be captured, tortured and executed in the Sook Ching massacre for their involvement in Dalforce. Others would flee into the jungles and continue the fight against the Japanese by joining up with the MPAJA, or Force 136. John Dalley mysteriously vanished from history, but is known to have survived the invasion of Singapore, evacuating to the Dutch East Indies, where he was eventually captured by the Japanese in Sumatra.

[edit] Popular culture

• Dalforce are depicted in the Battle of Singapore episode in the 2001 television drama, A War Diary, produced by Dreamforest Productions.

[edit] References

[edit] Books

• Anthony Livesey, Great Commanders and their Battles
• Eternal Vigilance, the Price of Freedom; compiled by Foong Choon Hon, translated by Yuen Chen Ching; Asiapac Books, Singapore; 2006
• Lee Geok Boi; The Syonan Years - Singapore under Japanese Rule 1942 - 1945; National Archives of Singapore; 2005

[edit] External Links

• Dalforce at the Fall of Singapore 1942: The Creation of an Overseas Chinese Legend
• Dalforce at the Fall of Singapore in 1942: An Overseas Chinese Heroic Legend