Known as Parit Sulong Bridge Memorial: this commemorative plaque honours the heroism of the Allied forces and the sacrifice of military personnel and civilians who died.

Between 18-22 January 1942, a small contingent of Australian soldiers from 2/19 and 2/29 Infantry Battalions, supported by gunners from 4 Anti-tank and 2/15 Field Regiments and a depleted 45 Indian Infantry Brigade, engaged in a desperate rear-guard action to hold back a 10,000-strong Imperial Japanese Guard's Division advancing towards Yong Peng from Muar. Although the Allied forces fought valiantly, and mounted a most successful ambush against enemy tanks near Bakri, they faced an impossible task.

Cut off and vastly outnumbered, the Allied commander, Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Anderson, 2/19 Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, ordered a retreat. Loading their wounded onto all available vehicles, the troops began the long withdrawal to Parit Sulong, where a bridge spanning the Simpang Kiri River was held by British troops - the only avenue of escape. After protracted hand-to-hand fighting, and under constant aerial and artillery bombardment, Anderson and his men forced several road blocks to reach the outskirts of Parit Sulong before dawn on 21 January only to find that the village, and the bridge, were in Japanese hands.

Although surrounded, they gained control of the village but, despite many heroic attempts, were unable to force the enemy from the bridge. Finally, on the morning of 22 January, in order to avoid complete annihilation, the defenders were ordered to try to escape through the jungle to rejoin the main Allied army at Yong Peng. That many reached safety was due to the bravery of local people, who risked their lives to help them.

For his leadership and outstanding gallantry during the Bakri-Parit Sulong battle, Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Anderson received the British Empire's highest award, the Victoria Cross for Valour - the only Allied soldier to be so honoured in the entire Malayan Campaign.

The 2/19 Battalion AIF Association placed a plaque on the bridge at Parit Sulong during the 1960s to commemorate the massacre. This plaque was replaced several times, with assistance from the Office of Australian War Graves (OAWG), due to theft or vandalism.

Parit Sulong, Malaysia.

Located on Parit Sulong Bridge.