The battle of GEMAS marks not only the first time Australian troops engaged the Japanese Army directly but also one of the few successful Allied defensive actions of the Malaya Campaign.
The 2/30th infantry battalion of the 8th division 27th Brigade were known as Gallegharis Greyhounds after the first commander lieutenant colonel FG Black Jack Galleghan.
On the afternoon of 14 January 1942, B Company of the 2/30th battalion lay in wait at Gemencheh Bridge, several miles towards GEMAS for the approach of the Japanese Army. They were camouflaged by the heavy jungle that overlooked the bridge, which they had wired with explosive the day before. At around 4pm first Japanese soldier appeared, riding south across the bridge on bicycles. They were completely unaware of B company presence. After several had passed, the bridge was blown up and B company opened fire.