The Japanese invasion of Malaya in December, 1941 occurred on the same day as the attack on Pearl Harbour, taking place at Kota Bharu in the north, and by January, 1942 the Japanese army had swept south capturing Kuala Lumpur despite stout resistance by the British forces.
The British retreated to a defensive line in Johor but were soon overrun and by the end of January 1942 the whole of Malaya was in Japanese hands.
During the occupation the Japanese tried to win support from the local population by portraying themselves as liberators from British imperialism whilst at the same time introducing Japanese language and customs to everyday life.
The local Sultans were allowed to retain their positions although nominally and several of the northern Malay States were annexed to Thailand. Many Chinese were persecuted and around 50,000 lost their lives.
During the occupation the local population suffered terrible hardships with lack of food and eventually hyperinflation occurred. A local resistance movement was organized and attacked Japanese interests.
Eventually the Japanese surrendered in 1945 and the first place that was liberated was Penang by British forces who then proceeded to establish the British Military Administration in Kuala Lumpur.
The two Japanese swords pictured above which were surrendered in 1945 are on display in the Police Museum in Kuala Lumpur and have interesting stories attached to them.
We’re told that the top sword was owned by Colonel Marimoto who was attached to the education department of the Japanese government of occupation and fell in love with a local teacher. He committed suicide in 1945 and the sword was found next to the dead lovers in a house in Kuala Lumpur.
The other sword bears three stars denoting high rank and was owned by a Japanese garrison Commander in Klang. He also committed suicide in 1945 and the sword was recovered next to his body.
Malaysia 1786 - 1957 