Battle of Kampar

Battle of Kampar
Part of the Battle of Malaya, World War II
Sikh infantry of the Indian Army served alongside the British Empire troops where they were involved in a fierce battle against the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) in Kampar, c. 1941–1942.
Date 30 December 1941 – 2 January 1942 Location Kampar, Malaya Result Tactical Allied victory
Belligerents
United Kingdom Malaya	Japan
Commanders and leaders
Archibald Paris 2nd Lt. Adnan Saidi	Takuro Matsui
Strength
1,300 infantry[1]	9,000 infantry 200 tanks 100 artillery pieces
Casualties and losses
150 killed (Japanese estimate)	500 killed (Japanese estimate)

The Battle of Kampar (30 December 1941 – 2 January 1942) was an engagement of the Malayan Campaign during World War II, involving British and Indian troops from the 11th Indian Infantry Division and the Japanese 5th Division.

On 27 December, in an effort to prevent the capture of RAF Kuala Lumpur, the 11th Indian Infantry Division occupied Kampar, which offered a strong natural defensive position. In doing so they were also tasked with delaying the advancing Japanese troops long enough to allow the 9th Indian Infantry Division to withdraw from the east coast. The Japanese intended to capture Kampar as a New Year’s gift to Emperor Hirohito and on 30 December the Japanese began surrounding the British and Indian positions. The following day fighting commenced. The Allied forces were able to hold on for four days before withdrawing on 2 January 1942, having achieved their objective of slowing the Japanese advance.