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As war broke out in the Pacific Japanese forces based in [[Vichy French]]-controlled [[French Indochina|Indochina]] quickly overran [[Thailand]] and invaded Malaya. The [[Sinking of Prince of Wales and Repulse|loss of two British capital ships]], [[HMS Repulse (1916)|HMS ''Repulse'']] and [[HMS Prince of Wales (53)|HMS ''Prince of Wales'']], off Malaya on 10 December 1941, neutralised Allied naval superiority,{{sfn|Thompson|2005|p=424}} allowing the Japanese to perform [[Amphibious warfare|amphibious assault]]s on the Malayan coast with much less resistance. Japanese forces met stiff resistance from [[III Corps (India)|III Corps]] of the [[British Indian Army|Indian Army]] and British units in northern [[Malaya Command|Malaya]], but Japan's superiority in [[air superiority|air power]],{{sfn|Farrell|Pratten|2009|p=101}} [[tank]]s and [[military tactics|infantry tactics]] forced the British and Indian units, who had very few tanks and remained vulnerable to isolation and [[encirclement]],{{sfn|Thompson|2008|pp=196 & 233}}{{sfn|Brayley|2002|p=15}} back along the west coast towards [[Gemas]] and on the east coast towards [[Endau]].{{sfn|Morgan|2013|p=7}}
On 14 January 1942, parts of the division went into action for the first time south of [[Kuala Lumpur]], at Gemas and [[Muar (town)|Muar]]. The 2/30th Battalion had some early success at the Gemencheh River Bridge, carrying out a large-scale ambush which destroyed a Japanese battalion.{{sfn|Morgan|2013|pp=7–8}} Following this, the Japanese attempted a flanking towards Muar. The 2/29th and the 2/19th Battalions were detached as reinforcements for the [[45th Indian Infantry Brigade]], which was in danger of being overrun near the [[Muar River]]. By 22 January, a mixed force from the two battalions, with some Indian troops, had been isolated and forced to fight their way south to Yong Peng. Members of the [[Imperial Guard (Japan)|Imperial Japanese Guards]] Division [[Parit Sulong#Parit Sulong Massacre|massacred about 135 Allied prisoners at Parit Sulong]], following the fighting. Lieutenant-Colonel [[Charles Groves Wright Anderson|Charles Anderson]], acting commander of the 2/19th,
On the east coast, the 22nd Brigade fought a series of delaying actions around [[Mersing]], as the Japanese advanced. On 26 January, the 2/18th Battalion launched an ambush around the Nithsdale and Joo Lye rubber plantations, which resulted in heavy Japanese casualties and briefly held up their advance allowing the 22nd Brigade time to withdraw south.{{sfn|Morgan|2013|pp=10–11}} Meanwhile, the remainder of the 27th Brigade waged a rearguard action around the Ayer Hitam trunk road,{{sfn|Farrell|Pratten|2009|p=201}} while the 22nd Brigade was sent back to guard the north end of the [[Johor–Singapore Causeway|Johore–Singapore Causeway]] which linked the [[Peninsular Malaysia|Malayan Peninisula]] to Singapore, as Allied forces retreated.{{sfn|Morgan|2013|p=11}}
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