Major-General Gordon Bennett, General Officer Commanding AIF, Malaya 1941-1942
Meeting of the Allied High Command during the Battle of Singapore (reconstruction)
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Major-General Gordon Bennett
Lieutenant-General Arthur Percival, the General Officer Commanding Malaya, was a controversial figure for his part in the Fall of Singapore. But equally, so was Major-General (later to be Lieutenant-General) Henry Gordon (Gordon) Bennett. With a near contempt for British senior officers gained from WWI, an outspoken nature and a confidence in his own ability, Bennett clashed with Percival and the other generals of the Allied High Command in Singapore. But, unlike the other generals, Bennett escaped from Singapore, just hours after Percival had signed the surrender.
Bennett had fought with distinction during WWI, both at Gallipoli and on the Western Front in Europe rising through the officer ranks and at the age of 29, became the youngest general in the Australian army. After the war, he returned to a successful civilian life holding senior positions in industry in New South Wales. He maintained his links with the military serving with the militia being appointed major-general of the 2nd Australian Division in 1930.
With the outbreak of WWII in 1939, Bennett returned to full-time service but was passed over for command of the Second Australian Imperial Force. It was cited that his temperament was unsuitable for a semi-diplomatic command and one that would be subordinate to British generals. Bennett had not helped his cause prior to WWII, by being scathing of the actions of British officers and Australian regular officers during WWI. Bennett was given command of the Volunteer Defence Corps, an Australian version of the British Home Guard. But, in August 1940, he was appointed commander of the newly formed 8th Australian Division.
Amid growing concerns over Japanese expansion and as part of Australia’s commitment to bolster numbers for the defence of the Malayan Peninsula, Bennett’s 8th Division headquarters and the 22nd Brigade were sent to Singapore in February 1941 to be followed by the 27th Brigade in August. The division’s third brigade, the 23rd Brigade, would remain in Australia at that time.
Australian troops arriving in Singapore
Initially, Bennett’s relationship with the 22nd Brigade commander, Brigadier Harold Taylor, was not good. But this would improve. However, Bennett’s dealings with senior British officers were less than harmonious, especially with Lieutenant-General Arthur Percival, the General Officer Commanding Malaya. The relationship between Bennett and Percival was made even more difficult in that Bennett had the option to discuss his orders from Percival, with the Australian government if he (Bennett) disagreed with them. (This was the case for all Australian division commanders in all theatres of war.) This gave Bennett considerable freedom much to Percival’s frustration. But Bennett was not alone, Percival had an acrimonious relationship with Lieutenant-General Lewis Heath, the commander of the 3rd Indian Corps.
In December 1941, the Japanese invaded Malaya. The Australians did not engage with the Japanese until early in January 1942. By that time, with overwhelming numbers, greater mobility and air superiority, the Japanese had pushed the defenders down into southern Malaya. The Australians fought in several actions around Gemas and Muar where they had some success against the Japanese. But were forced to withdraw to Singapore along with the other allied forces.
Bennett’s two brigades were given the defence of the north-west side of Singapore. On the night of the 8th February 1942, 14,000 Japanese invaded an area defended by only 3,000 Australians of the 22nd Brigade. Within a few hours, the 22nd Brigade was overrun, and was forced to withdraw. The following day, another 10,000 Japanese landed in the area defended by the 27th Brigade and although able to hold back this invasion, the Japanese were able to regroup and attack once more. This time, fearing they would be cut off by the Japanese who had overrun the 22nd Brigade’s position, the 27th Brigade withdrew to the centre of the island.
Australian soldiers in action in Malaya
On the 15th February, Percival signed a surrender agreement with the Japanese. That night, after completing all formalities regarding the surrender, Bennett handed over command of the 8th Division to Brigadier Cecil Callaghan and with some others, took the opportunity (and risk) of escaping from Singapore finally arriving in Melbourne in March 1942.
Major-General Bennett addresses the military press corps after successes against the Japanese in Malaya
Although praised publicly, within the senior officer ranks of the military, Bennett was criticised for leaving his troops. In what would seem as a contradictory move, Bennett was promoted to lieutenant-general and given command of the 3rd Australian Corps in Perth.
After the war, Percival who had never got on with Bennett, wrote a letter accusing Bennett of relinquishing his command without permission. A military court of enquiry was held and found that Bennett was not justified in handing over his command, or, in leaving Singapore. In November 1945, a Royal Commission was conducted also finding that Bennett’s actions were unjustified allowing his prejudice against regular officers and his ambition, to cloud his professional judgement. But in 1948, Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Fry, a military lawyer, found that the Royal Commission’s report was based on international law and did not consider Bennett’s action from the viewpoint of Australian military law by which Bennett was bound. Australian military law did not place Bennett under any obligation to remain in Singapore.
Bennett retired from the military and continued his successful civilian career. He maintained his links with the 8th Division veterans, the majority of which supported his actions to escape Singapore and always remained loyal to him. Bennett returned to Singapore in 1957 for the opening of the Kranji War Memorial.
Gordon Bennett died in August 1962.