[1][2] The Gemencheh Bridge is famous for being ground for the Battle of Gemas during the Second World War between Japanese and Australian forces.

Commanding Officer of the Battalion was Lieutenant Colonel Frederick "Black Jack" Galleghan.

On 14 January 1942, "B" Company of the 2/30th Battalion, launched an ambush against the Japanese in the hope of preventing them from advancing further south.

Four days later, another encounter between Japanese and Allied soldiers took place near Parit Sulong during the Battle of Malaya.

A memorial remembering fallen Australians now stands somewhere near the site of the destroyed Gemencheh Bridge in Federal route 1.