The main position receives a dedicated corps commander and combines the Australian 8th Division, Indian 9th Division, 11th Indian Division, and the line-of-communications brigade. Anti-aircraft regiments, coastal artillery, engineers, tanks, and other heavy support are concentrated there rather than risked in small northern detachments. Giving one commander responsibility for the position is intended to preserve cohesion across formations drawn from several armies. Ivan Simson becomes the senior engineer responsible to supreme command for building substantial field works. Singapore remains important, but this mainland line is where the plan intends to impose an organized battle on the invader.
Chapter · 14:35-15:24
Build a prepared line across Malaya
Australian and Indian formations, artillery, anti-aircraft units, and engineers are concentrated around a mainland line instead of being consumed piecemeal in the north.