Parit Sulong: The Encircled Column at Dawn

Charles Anderson has spent four days commanding the remnants of an Australian-Indian force ground down on the Muar road. When the headquarters of the 45th Indian Infantry Brigade is bombed on 19 January, it is he who takes charge of the column. A methodical officer, he has already cleared several roadblocks at bayonet point to bring his men back toward the British lines at Yong Peng.

At first light on 21 January, the column reaches the outskirts of the village of Parit Sulong. But the bridge over the river, the only way out to the rear, is already held by the Japanese. Anderson retakes the village, yet never manages to dislodge the enemy from the bridge. The Imperial Guards Division, ten times his strength, tightens the noose. The wounded pile up by the hundreds, with no food and no chance of evacuation; aircraft and artillery pound the position without let-up.

On the morning of 22 January, Anderson must decide to avoid complete annihilation. He can order a breakout through the jungle, abandoning the wounded who cannot be moved, to save the bulk of the column; hold his ground and hope for a relief that may not be coming; or attempt to take the wounded along as well, at the risk of losing everything on an impossible march.