ABSTRACT
With northern and central Malaya in enemy hands, Percival decided to cut his losses and to make a substantial withdrawal to what he hoped would be a more defensible line in Johore. This involved abandoning the provinces of Selangor, Negri Sembilan and Malacca without a fight. It also involved fighting in an area where there were more roads, which allowed the enemy to use his tanks more fully. But the risk had to be accepted in the hope of halt ing the piecemeal withdrawal, and making a stand in Northern Johore, on a line running from Muar on the west coast, via Mount Ophir, to Segamat, and on to Mersing on the east coast, with a forward position at Gemas. It was an opportunity to give some relief to 11 Indian Division, too. Percival intended to switch the major role from the Indians to the Australians, who had not so far been brought into the battle.
