Henry Gordon Bennett

Henry Gordon Bennett (1887-1962), Major General of Australian Imperial Forces

Gordon Bennett, Commander of the Australian Imperial Forces (AIF) was in command of 'Westforce,' a new line of defence from east to west in northern Johore.On 10 January he had inspected the Gemencheh River and the wooden bridge that spanned it, located just above the railway junction town of Gemas.Bennett had chosen the spot for a major ambush against advancing Japanese troops on their way south towards Singapore.Ambush positions were taken up by men belonging to the 2/30th Battalion of the Australian 27th Brigade.
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Bennett, he would have realised he had the heavy responsibility of reserving whatever troops he could for the fast approaching 'Battle for Singapore' in an attempt to save British 'face' and an 'impregnable fortress' from humiliating surrender.