| Original caption: “Japanese troops cross a river, in the Labis area, by means of an improvised foot bridge. Alongside is an iron bridge which was destroyed during the British withdrawal down the Malayan Peninsula.” Imperial Japanese Army infantry, some of whom are on bicycles, cross the Segamat Railway Iron Bridge. Opened for travel on July 1, 1909, this iron and brick truss bridge provided rail traffic across Malaya for 30 years. The British Commonwealth Westforce’s withdrawal was effected on the evening of January 19, over the 1 narrow bridge across the Segamat River. The bridge spanned a deep gorge, and if the Japanese had bombed it, Westforce would have been trapped. There were delays in getting through the town because all the shops along the main street were on fire. Brigadier Eric W. Goodman (December 8, 1891 – March 7, 1986), Commander, Royal Artillery of the Royal Army 9th Indian Infantry Division, was at the bridge with Major General Arthur E. “Bustling Bill” Barstow (March 17, 1888 – January 28, 1942). He noted, “Some bright fellow, an Australian, had set fire to some houses in the town which lit up the bridge and would have made it a good target for an aeroplane if any had come over, which fortunately they didn’t.” The fire had been started by 1 of Lieutenant General Henry G. Bennett’s (April 15, 1887 – August 1, 1962) favorite officers, Major Charles A. J. Moses (January 21, 1900 – February 9, 1988), to destroy a large stock of bagged rice in some warehouses, but the blaze had spread and destroyed shops and houses. The rice was barely scorched. Bennett intended Westforce to fight a decisive battle in front of Segamat. However, the rapidly developing situation in Johore necessitated that the Allies commit their units, 1 battalion at a time, to halt the Japanese advance rather than deploying divisions or corps. Not that the poorly trained and underequipped Commonwealth forces could execute complex maneuvers in the jungle. So Westforce had to flee. The Segamat Railway Iron Bridge was demolished on January 20, and the Japanese entered Segamat the next day. The Japanese engineers’ ability to bridge rivers quickly was a hallmark of the Malaya campaign. The Japanese traveled light, using bicycles and walking infantry for quick movement, and allowed their organic motor vehicles to catch up when possible. Therefore, engineers with the frontline units could quickly build light bridges, specifically for light infantry. Allied command and rank and file were stunned by the rapid advancement of the Japanese over natural defenses like rivers. The Segamat Railway Iron Bridge was rebuilt after the war. When a new bridge was built, it was preserved as a memorial. It is a tourist attraction today. | |
| Image Filename | wwii1544.jpg |
| Image Size | 1.02 MB |
| Image Dimensions | 3952 x 2747 |
| Photographer | |
| Photographer Title | Imperial Japanese Army |
| Caption Author | Written or Adapted by Jason McDonald |
| Date Photographed | January 21, 1942 |
| Location | |
| City | Segamat |
| State or Province | Johor |
| Country | Malaya |
| Archive | Australian War Memorial |
| Record Number | 127897 |
| Status | Caption ©2026 MFA Productions LLC Please Do Not Duplicate or Distribute Without Permission; Image in the Public Domain |
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