Parit Sulong (Battle of Muar)

For most people, this could be one of the most emotional war-related historical site to visit. It was at Parit Sulong, an estimated 150 Allied soldiers (110 Australian troops and 40 Indian troops) were tortured and massacred by the Japanese soldiers. A memorial known as the Parit Sulong Memorial has been built next to a river called Simpang Kiri River. Not far from the Memorial is a mural depicting the historical WWII event at Parit Sulong. Across the main road is the massacre site in the form of an elongated structure which later became the PWD (Public Works Department) barrack. About 100 metres away to the right of the massacre site is the former Japanese Army Quarters which later became a theatre and now a shop selling furnitures and electrical goods. About 50 metres to the left of the massacre site is the Parit Sulong bridge where a plaque was placed to commemorate the battle site.

The Barrack (Elongated structure / PWD barrack)
The Barrack was where the torture and the massacre took place. The first 2 rooms on the right side of the Barrack was where the tortures took place.

Burial site of the Australian soldiers (Allegedly)
This the site where the Australian soldiers that were massacred were allegedly buried. The reason we say “allegedly” is because until today, not a single body was recovered at the site or to suggest that there was a massacre and they were buried at the location. The only proof we have is based on what was described by the only two (2) people who survived the massacre. They were Lieutenant Ben Hackney and Private Reg Wharton who were shot at, bayoneted and kicked by the Japanese soldiers but somehow managed to survive and faked their death, fooling their tormentors. The alleged burial site is situated behind the Barrack. Parit Sulong Bridge
The Parit Sulong Bridge was built in 1929. A fierce battle between the Allied Forces and the Japanese troops took place at this location on 21st January 1942. However, the Parit Sulong bridge that we have today is not the same bridge as the one where the battle took place. This is a newer bridge that was built in 1997 to replace the old Parit Sulong Bridge. In remembrance of the soldiers who were killed there, a plaque was placed there by the 2/19 Battalion AIF (Australian Imperial Force) Association. The plaque states:

THIS LOCATION WAS THE SCENE OF
THE FINAL STAGE OF THE BATTLE OF MUAR
IN JANUARY 1942
TO THE EVERLASTING MEMORY OF OUR
FELLOW AUSTRALIANS WHO NOBLY AND GALLANTLY
MADE HISTORY IN THEIR SUPREME SACRIFICE