Fall of Singapore
Introduction:
Singapore was Britain's foothold in South East Asia, a fortress at the tip of the Malayan Peninsula. Singapore was the key to the British defence strategy in the Asia-Pacific region. It was also a naval base Britain created as the leading naval power in the Asia-Pacific region. The total of British and Commonwealth forces stationed on the Malayan Peninsula and Singapore was over 130,000 troops. The British assumed that this vast number of soldiers would hold off any invader, particularly the Japanese. The British assured the world that if Japan attempted to invade Singapore, it would take at least four months, enough time for even more British defence forces to rally. The British military in Singapore had been over confident, believing they would easily defeat any Japanese attack.
However, the Empire of Japan aimed to dominate Asia and the Pacific. After conquering China, Mongolia and parts of the Soviet Union (Russia), Japan set her sights on the Pacific. Japan entered the war when she bombed the American fleet at Pearl Harbor on 7 December, 1941. The bombing was part of a strategic campaign to create the Greater East Asian Co-Prosperity Sphere.
Singapore was Britain's foothold in South East Asia, a fortress at the tip of the Malayan Peninsula. Singapore was the key to the British defence strategy in the Asia-Pacific region. It was also a naval base Britain created as the leading naval power in the Asia-Pacific region. The total of British and Commonwealth forces stationed on the Malayan Peninsula and Singapore was over 130,000 troops. The British assumed that this vast number of soldiers would hold off any invader, particularly the Japanese. The British assured the world that if Japan attempted to invade Singapore, it would take at least four months, enough time for even more British defence forces to rally. The British military in Singapore had been over confident, believing they would easily defeat any Japanese attack.
However, the Empire of Japan aimed to dominate Asia and the Pacific. After conquering China, Mongolia and parts of the Soviet Union (Russia), Japan set her sights on the Pacific. Japan entered the war when she bombed the American fleet at Pearl Harbor on 7 December, 1941. The bombing was part of a strategic campaign to create the Greater East Asian Co-Prosperity Sphere.
The Invasion and Fall of Singapore:
The day after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Japan invaded the Malay Peninsula and Japanese soldiers began their advance through the Malay jungle towards Singapore. At the same time, Japanese aircraft began bombing Singapore's key sites. Singapore and therefore the British, expected an attack from the sea and Allied forces struggled to respond effectively.
In late December, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) squadrons were ordered to evacuate the area and British, Indian and Australian troops, along with thousands of refugees, retreated to the island of Singapore. The Japanese attack there began on 8 February and within six days had reached Singapore city. Allied forces were battle weary, depleted in numbers and weakened by a poorly coordinated defence strategy. Royal Australian Navy (RAN) warships escorted merchant and other ships that were struggling to help people escape capture. With the water supply running low, constant bombing and little or no anti-aircraft ammunition, General Percival (overall commander) surrendered to General Yamashita on 15 February 1942. 130,000 British and Allied troops were taken prisoner, this included 15,395 Australian soldiers.
The day after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Japan invaded the Malay Peninsula and Japanese soldiers began their advance through the Malay jungle towards Singapore. At the same time, Japanese aircraft began bombing Singapore's key sites. Singapore and therefore the British, expected an attack from the sea and Allied forces struggled to respond effectively.
In late December, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) squadrons were ordered to evacuate the area and British, Indian and Australian troops, along with thousands of refugees, retreated to the island of Singapore. The Japanese attack there began on 8 February and within six days had reached Singapore city. Allied forces were battle weary, depleted in numbers and weakened by a poorly coordinated defence strategy. Royal Australian Navy (RAN) warships escorted merchant and other ships that were struggling to help people escape capture. With the water supply running low, constant bombing and little or no anti-aircraft ammunition, General Percival (overall commander) surrendered to General Yamashita on 15 February 1942. 130,000 British and Allied troops were taken prisoner, this included 15,395 Australian soldiers.