Battle of Singapore Part of Pacific War (World War II) Lt Gen. Arthur Percival, led by a Japanese officer, walks under a flag of truce to negotiate the capitulation of Allied forces in Singapore, on February 15, 1942. It was the largest surrender of British-led forces in history. Date January 31 – February 15, 1942 Location Singapore, Straits Settlements Result Decisive Japanese Victory, Japanese occupation of Singapore Belligerents Malaya Command: III Corps 8th Division 18th Division Malay Regiment Straits Settlements Volunteer Force Twenty-Fifth Army Imperial Guards 5th Division 18th Division 3rd Air Division Imperial Navy Commanders Arthur Percival # Gordon Bennett Lewis Heath # M. Beckwith-Smith # Tomoyuki Yamashita Strength 85,000 36,000 Casualties and losses 2,000 killed 5,000 wounded 50,000 captured[1] 1,713 killed 2,772 wounded[2]

v • d • e Pacific campaigns 1940–42 French Indochina – Thailand – Malaya – Pearl Harbor – Hong Kong – Philippines – Guam – Wake – Dutch East Indies – New Guinea – Singapore – Australia – Indian Ocean – Doolittle Raid – Solomons – Coral Sea – Midway

v • d • e South-East Asian Theatre French Indochina 1940 – French-Thai War – Malaya – Thailand – Prince of Wales & Repulse – Dutch East Indies – Burma – Singapore – Andamans – Christmas I. – Cocos – Indian Ocean Raid – Air Raids 1944–45 – French Indochina 1945 – Malacca Strait

v • d • e Battle of Singapore Sarimbun Beach – Kranji – Bukit Timah – Pasir Panjang

The Battle of Singapore was fought in the South-East Asian theatre of World War II when the Empire of Japan invaded the Allied stronghold of Singapore. The fighting in Singapore lasted from February 7, 1942 to February 15, 1942. For other uses, see Pacific War (disambiguation). ... Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tōjō Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000... Image File history File links Singaporesurrender. ... Lieutenant-General Arthur Ernest Percival December 26, 1887 – January 31, 1966. ... == T.R.U.C.E == Teachers Resisting Unhealthy Childrens Entertainment. ... is the 46th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1942 (MCMXLII) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link will display the full 1942 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 31st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 46th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1942 (MCMXLII) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link will display the full 1942 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Straits Settlements were a collection of territories of the British East India Company in Southeast Asia, which were given collective administration in 1826. ... The Japanese Occupation of Singapore was to become a major turning point in the history of several nations, including that of the Japanese, who rampaged down the Malay Peninsula with the singular intent of occupying Singapore to gain greater control over her war-time resource gathering efforts, the British, with... The Malaya Command was a British Army World War II formation formed for the defence of Malaya and Singapore. ... Image File history File links British_Raj_Red_Ensign. ... The British Indian III Corps was the primary ground formation that took part in the Battle of Malaya in 1942. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... The 8th Division of the Australian Army was formed to serve in World War II, as part of the Second Australian Imperial Force, who were in turn, part of the Allies of World War II. The 8th Division was raised from regular army units and new, all-volunteer infantry brigades... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom. ... The 18th (East Anglian) Infantry Division was a Division of the British Army in World War II , A duplicate of the 54th (East Anglian) Division . ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... The Royal Malay Regiment (Malay: Rejimen Askar Melayu DiRaja) is one of two infantry regiments in the Malaysian Army. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... The Straits Settlements Volunteer Force (SSVF) was a military reserve force in the Straits Settlements, while they were under British rule. ... The Japanese Twenty-Fifth Army was the Japanese force that invaded and conquered the British colony of Malaya in late 1941 and early 1942. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Japan_-_variant. ... The Japanese Imperial Guard (近衛師団 このえしだん Konoe Shidan) protects the Emperor, the Empress and Imperial Family, the Imperial Palaces and other imperial properties. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Japan_-_variant. ... The 5th Infantry Division ) was an infantry division in the Imperial Japanese Army. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Japan_-_variant. ... IJA 18th Division ) was an infantry division in the Imperial Japanese Army. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Japan_-_variant. ... The Japanese Twenty-Fifth Army was the Japanese force that invaded and conquered the British colony of Malaya in late 1941 and early 1942. ... Image File history File links Naval_Ensign_of_Japan. ... For Combined Fleet, please see that article. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom. ... Lieutenant-General Arthur Ernest Percival December 26, 1887 – January 31, 1966. ... Balian of Ibelin surrendering the city of Jerusalem to Saladin, from Les Passages faits Outremer par les Français contre les Turcs et autres Sarrasins et Maures outremarins, ca. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Lieutenant-General Gordon Bennett Lieutenant-General Henry Gordon Bennett, CB, CMG, DSO (April 16, 1887 – August 1, 1962), Australian soldier, served in both World War I and World War II. Despite highly decorated achievements during World War I, including at Gallipoli, Bennett is best remembered for his role in the... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom. ... Lieutenant-General Sir Lewis Macclesfield Heath, KBE, CB, CIE, DSO, MC (1885-1954) was a British Army officer and general during World War II. Having achieved some success as GOC 5th Indian Division during the East African Campaign, Heath was appointed to command III Indian Corps during the Battle of... Balian of Ibelin surrendering the city of Jerusalem to Saladin, from Les Passages faits Outremer par les Français contre les Turcs et autres Sarrasins et Maures outremarins, ca. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom. ... Merton Beckwith-Smith, DSO, MC, MA, Croix de Guerre, (11 July 1890 - 11 November 1942), was a British Army officer during the First and Second World Wars . ... Balian of Ibelin surrendering the city of Jerusalem to Saladin, from Les Passages faits Outremer par les Français contre les Turcs et autres Sarrasins et Maures outremarins, ca. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Japan_-_variant. ... Tomoyuki Yamashita, 1945 General Tomoyuki Yamashita (山下 奉文 Yamashita Tomoyuki,) (November 8, 1885 – February 23, 1946) was a general of the Japanese Imperial Army during the World War II era. ... Combatants Empire of Japan Vichy France Commanders Akihito Nakamura Takuma Nishimura Maurice Martin Strength 34,000 men 2,000 men Casualties  ? 800 The Invasion of French Indochina ), also known as the Vietnam Expedition, the Japanese Invasion of Vietnam, was an attempt by the Empire of Japan, during the Second Sino... Combatants Malaya Command: Indian III Corps Australian 8th Div. ... This article is about the actual attack. ... Combatants British Army Canadian Army British Indian Army Royal Hong Kong Regiment Imperial Japanese Army Commanders Mark Aitchison Young Christopher Michael Maltby Sakai Takashi Strength 15,000 troops 50,000 troops Casualties 4,500 killed 8,500 POWs 706 killed 1,534 wounded Pacific campaigns 1941-42 Pearl Harbor – Thailand... Combatants Empire of Japan United States Commanders Shigeyoshi Inoue Sadamichi Kajioka Shigematsu Sakaibara Winfield S. Cunningham Strength 2,500 infantry[1] 523 infantry of the 1st Marine Defense Battalion {understrength}, VMF-211, US Navy/US Army personnel, Others[2] Casualties 700-900 dead, 2 destroyers, 2 patrol boats, 20 aircraft... The Netherlands East Indies campaign was the shortlived defence of the Netherlands East Indies by Allied forces, against invasion by the Empire of Japan in 1941-42. ... The New Guinea campaign was one of the major military campaigns of World War II. Fighting in the Australian mandated Territory of New Guinea (the north-eastern part of the island of New Guinea and surrounding islands) and Dutch New Guinea, between Allied and Japanese forces, commenced with the Japanese... It has been suggested that Japanese Raids into Indian Ocean be merged into this article or section. ... Combatants  United States  Japan Commanders James H. Doolittle Hideki Tojo Strength 16 B-25 Mitchells Unknown number of troops and homeland defense Casualties 3 dead, 8 POWs (4 died in captivity); 5 interned in USSR all 16 B-25s About 50 dead, 400 injured Lt. ... Combatants  United States  Australia New Guinea[1]  New Zealand  United Kingdom Colony of Fiji[2] Solomon Is. ... Combatants United States Navy Royal Australian Navy Imperial Japanese Navy Commanders Frank J. Fletcher John G. Crace Shigeyoshi Inoue Takeo Takagi Strength 2 large carriers, 3 cruisers 2 large carriers, 1 light carrier, 4 cruisers Casualties 1 fleet carrier, 1 destroyer, 1 oil tanker sunk 543 killed 1 light carrier... Belligerents United States Imperial Japanese Navy Commanders Chester W. Nimitz Frank J. Fletcher Raymond A. Spruance Isoroku Yamamoto Chuichi Nagumo Tamon Yamaguchi† Strength 3 carriers, ~50 support ships, 233 carrier aircraft, 127 land-based aircraft 4 carriers, 7 battleships, ~150 support ships, 264 carrier aircraft,[1] 16 floatplanes Casualties and... The South-East Asian Theatre of World War II was the name given to the campaigns of the Pacific War in India, Burma, Thailand, Malaya and Singapore. ... Combatants Empire of Japan Vichy France Commanders Akihito Nakamura Takuma Nishimura Maurice Martin Strength 34,000 men 2,000 men Casualties  ? 800 The Invasion of French Indochina ), also known as the Vietnam Expedition, the Japanese Invasion of Vietnam, was an attempt by the Empire of Japan, during the Second Sino... Combatants Vichy France Thailand Commanders Jean Decoux Plaek Phibunsongkhram Strength 50,000 men, 20 tanks, ~100 aircraft 60,000 men, 134 tanks, 140 aircraft, 18 vessels Casualties 321 KIA and WIA, 178 MIA, 222 captured, 22 aircraft 54 KIA, 307 WIA, 21 captured, 8-13 aircraft The French-Thai War... Combatants Malaya Command: Indian III Corps Australian 8th Div. ... Combatants Force Z of the Royal Navy Imperial Japanese Navy Commanders Sir Tom Phillips † John Leach † William Tennant Niichi Nakanishi Shichizo Miyauchi Strength 1 battleship 1 battlecruiser 4 destroyers 10 aircraft 88 aircraft (34 torpedo aircraft, 51 level bombers, 3 scouting aircraft) Casualties 1 battleship, 1 battlecruiser sunk, 840 killed... The Netherlands East Indies campaign was the shortlived defence of the Netherlands East Indies by Allied forces, against invasion by the Empire of Japan in 1941-42. ... Combatants United Kingdom British India Republic of China United States Empire of Japan Indian National Army Burma National Army Thailand Commanders Louis Mountbatten William Slim Chiang Kai-Shek Joseph Stilwell Aung San(From 1944) Masakazu Kawabe Hyotaro Kimura Renya Mutaguchi Subhash Chandra Bose Aung San(until 1944) Strength Unknown Unknown... The Andaman and Nicobar Islands (8,293 sq km on 139 islands), are a group of islands situated in the Bay of Bengal at about 780 miles from Kolkata, 740 miles from Chennai and 120 miles from Cape Nargis in Burma. ... The Pacific War conquest plan set out by the Empire of Japan for the South Sea lands concluded on March 31, 1942 with the attack on and occupation of Christmas Island. ... Cocos (Keeling) Islands The Cocos Islands Mutiny was one of many among British Commonwealth forces during the Second World War. ... It has been suggested that Japanese Raids into Indian Ocean be merged into this article or section. ... Combatants Empire of Japan France Strength 55,000 Casualties  ? 2,129 Europeans killed (military & civil) The Second French Indochina Campaign also known as the Japanese coup of March 1945, was a Japanese military operation in all Vietnam, then a French colony. ... Combatants United Kingdom Empire of Japan Commanders Arthur John Power Manley Laurence Power Shigeru Fukudome Shintaro Hashimoto† Kaju Sugiura† Strength 5 destroyers 1 cruiser 1 destroyer Casualties 1 destroyer damaged, 2 killed[1] 1 cruiser sunk, 1 destroyer damaged, 927 killed[2] The Battle of the Malacca Strait, sometimes called... The Battle of Sarimbun Beach or the Sarimbun Beach Battle was an assault of the Japanese army against Allied forces in Singapore in February 1942. ... Combatants 27th Brigade 44th Brigade Dalforce Imperial Guards Commanders Duncan Maxwell Takuma Nishimura Strength ~2,000[1] ~10,000[2] The Battle of Kranji was the second stage of the Japanese assault on the north-western front of Singapore on 9 February 1942, during World War II (WWII). ... Combatants Japanese 5th and 18th Divisions British 2nd Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlander, Dalforce (Overseas Chinese Anti-Japanese Volunteer Army), 22nd Australian Brigade, 44th Indian Brigade Commanders Ian MacAlister Stewart Angus MacDonald The Battle of Bukit Timah was a momentous battle fought during World War II on 11 February 1942 in... Combatants 18th “Chrysanthemum” Division, 56th Infantry Regiment Royal Malay Regiment, British 2nd Loyals Regiment, 5th Bttn. ... The South-East Asian Theatre of World War II was the name given to the campaigns of the Pacific War in India, Burma, Thailand, Malaya and Singapore. ... Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tōjō Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000... Anthem Kimi ga Yo Imperial Reign Capital Tokyo Government Constitutional monarchy Emperor  - 1868–1912 Emperor Meiji  - 1912–1926 Emperor Taishō  - 1926–1989 Emperor Shōwa Prime Minister  - 1885-1888, 1892-1896, 1898, 1900-1901 Itō Hirobumi  - 1888-1889 Kuroda Kiyotaka  - 1889-1891 Yamagata Aritomo  - 1906-1908, 1911-1912 Saionji Kinmochi... An invasion is a military action consisting of armed forces of one geopolitical entity entering territory controlled by another such entity, generally with the objective of conquering territory, or altering the established government. ... This article is about the independent states that comprised the Allies. ... is the 38th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1942 (MCMXLII) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link will display the full 1942 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 46th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1942 (MCMXLII) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link will display the full 1942 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

It resulted in the fall of Singapore—the major British military base in South East Asia—to the Japanese, and the largest surrender of British-led military personnel in history. About 80,000 Indian, Australian and British troops became prisoners of war, joining 50,000 taken by the Japanese in the Malayan campaign. Britain's then-Prime Minister Winston Churchill called the ignominious fall of Singapore to the Japanese the "worst disaster" and "largest capitulation" in British history. Location of Southeast Asia Southeast Asia is a subregion of Asia. ... Balian of Ibelin surrendering the city of Jerusalem to Saladin, from Les Passages faits Outremer par les Français contre les Turcs et autres Sarrasins et Maures outremarins, ca. ... Geneva Convention definition A prisoner of war (POW) is a soldier, sailor, airman, or marine who is imprisoned by an enemy power during or immediately after an armed conflict. ... Combatants Malaya Command: Indian III Corps Australian 8th Div. ... Churchill redirects here. ...

The predominantly ethnic Chinese people of Singapore had long provided material support to China in its war with Japan. This was one of the motivations for the Japanese invasion of Singapore and the later suffering and atrocities inflicted by the Japanese occupation. It is regarded as the worst defeat ever suffered by the British Empire forces since the Massacre of Elphinstone's Army in the First Afghan War in the mid 19th century. The term Chinese people may refer to any of the following: A person who resides in and holds citizenship of the Peoples Republic of China (including Hong Kong and Macau) or the Republic of China (Taiwan). ... Belligerents China United States1 Empire of Japan Collaborationist Chinese Army2 Commanders Chiang Kai-shek, Chen Cheng, Yan Xishan, Feng Yuxiang, Li Zongren, Xue Yue, Bai Chongxi, Peng Dehuai, Joseph Stilwell, Claire Chennault, Albert Wedemeyer Hirohito, Fumimaro Konoe, Hideki Tojo, Kotohito Kanin, Matsui Iwane, Hajime Sugiyama, Shunroku Hata, Toshizo Nishio... The Japanese Occupation of Singapore was to become a major turning point in the history of several nations, including that of the Japanese, who rampaged down the Malay Peninsula with the singular intent of occupying Singapore to gain greater control over her war-time resource gathering efforts, the British, with... Combatants Afghan tribesmen British Empire Commanders Akbar Khan William Elphinstone Strength unknown 4,500 regular troops, 12,000 civilian refugees Casualties unknown total annihilation The massacre of Elphinstones army was a victory of Afghan forces, led by Akbar Khan, the son of Dost Mohammad Khan, over a combined British... The First Anglo-Afghan War lasted from 1839 to 1842. ...

Background

Japan sought to invade Malaya because, like other nations in South-East Asia, it had valuable natural resources that could be employed in its Pacific War with the Allies. Singapore, which lay to the south, was connected to Malaya by the Johor-Singapore Causeway. The Japanese saw it as a port which could be used as a launchpad against other Allied interests in the area, and to consolidate the invaded territory. The Japanese also sought to eliminate the sources of philanthropy from Singapore that were supporting China in the Second Sino-Japanese War. The ethnic Han Chinese in Malaya and Singapore had through financial and economics means aided the Chinese defence against the Japanese, although the effort suffered from factionalism, as the aid was split between the opposing sides of the ongoing Chinese Civil War. (The Xi'an Incident had supposedly united both the ruling Kuomintang party and the Communist Party of China against the Japanese. However, fighting between them was still common. The aid efforts procured funds and food for both humanitarian causes to relieve the Chinese civilian population, as well as support of the military forces of the Kuomintang and/or the Communist Party of China. Such aid had contributed to the stalling of the Japanese advance in China. Tan Kah Kee was a prominent philanthropist within the Singaporean Chinese community, and was a major financial contributor, with many relief efforts organized in his name. Aid to China from the population of Singapore in its several forms became part of Imperial Japan's casus belli motivation to attack Singapore through Malaya.

Invasion of Malaya

Main article: Battle of Malaya

This article is part of the History of Singapore series
Early history of Singapore (pre-1819)
Founding of modern Singapore (1819–1826)
Straits Settlements (1826–1867)
Crown colony (1867–1942)
Battle of Singapore (1942)
Japanese Occupation (1942–1945)
Sook Ching massacre (1942–1945)
Post-war period (1945–1955)
First Legislative Council (1948–1951)
Maria Hertogh riots(1950)
Second Legislative Council (1951–1955) Anti-National Service Riots (1954)
Internal self-government (1955–1962)
Hock Lee bus riots (1955)
Chinese middle schools riots (1956)
Merger with Malaysia (1962–1965)
Merger referendum, 1962
Operation Coldstore (1963)
Race Riots of 1964
MacDonald House bombing (1965)
Republic of Singapore (1965–present)
1969 Race Riots of Singapore (1969)
Operation Spectrum (1987)
East Asian financial crisis (1997)
Embassies attack plot (2001)
See also: Timeline of Singaporean history
[edit this box]

The Japanese Twenty-Fifth Army invaded Malaya from Indochina, moving into northern Malaya and Thailand by amphibious assault on December 8, 1941. This was virtually simultaneous with the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, which was meant to deter the United States from intervening in Southeast Asia. Japanese troops in Thailand coerced the Thai government to let the Japanese use Thai military bases for the invasion of other nations in Southeast Asia and then proceeded overland across the Thai-Malayan border to attack Malaya. At this time, the Japanese began conducting strategic bombing of sites all over Singapore, and air raids were conducted on Singapore from this point onwards, although anti-aircraft fire kept most of the Japanese bombers from totally devastating the island as long as ammunition was available. Combatants Malaya Command: Indian III Corps Australian 8th Div. ... The history of Singapore began as early as the 3rd Century when a Chinese account described the island at the tip of the Malay peninsula. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Singapore. ... ... The founding of modern Singapore in 1819 by Sir Stamford Raffles paved the way for Singapore to become a modern port and established its status as a gateway between the Western and Eastern markets. ... Singapore in the Straits Settlements refers to a period in the History of Singapore from 1826 to 1942, during which Singapore was part of the Straits Settlements together with Penang and Malacca. ... Singapore in the Straits Settlements refers to a period in the History of Singapore from 1826 to 1942, during which Singapore was part of the Straits Settlements together with Penang and Malacca. ... The Japanese Occupation of Singapore was to become a major turning point in the history of several nations, including that of the Japanese, who rampaged down the Malay Peninsula with the singular intent of occupying Singapore to gain greater control over her war-time resource gathering efforts, the British, with... The Sook Ching massacre (肅清大屠殺) was a systematic extermination of perceived hostile elements among the Chinese in Singapore by the Japanese military during the Japanese Occupation of Singapore, after the British colony surrendered in the Battle of Singapore on 15 February 1942 during World War II. Sook Ching was later extended... Post-war Singapore refers to a period in the history of Singapore from 1945, when the Empire of Japan surrendered to the Allies at the end of World War II, until 1955, when Singapore gained partial internal self-governance. ... The history of Singapore began as early as the 3rd Century when a Chinese account described the island at the tip of the Malay peninsula. ... Maria Hertogh and Che Aminah binte Mohamed The Maria Hertogh riots, which started on 11 December 1950 in Singapore, consisted of outraged Muslims who resented the court decision to give the custody of Maria Hertogh, then 13, to her biological Dutch Catholic parents after she had been raised as a... The history of Singapore began as early as the 3rd Century when a Chinese account described the island at the tip of the Malay peninsula. ... 1954 National Service Riots is a riot in Singapore that occurred in 1954 due to the communist influence. ... The self-governance of Singapore was carried out in several stages. ... Rioters throwing stones at police The Hock Lee bus riots occurred on May 12, 1955, in Singapore. ... The Chinese middle schools riots were a series of riots that broke out in the Singaporean Chinese community in Singapore in 1956, resulting in 13 people killed and more than 100 injured. ... On 16 September 1963, Singapore joined the Federation of Malaya together with Sabah and Sarawak to form Malaysia. ... The Singapore national referendum of 1962, or also commonly referred to as the Merger Referendum of Singapore was the first and only referendum to date held in Singapore on September 1, 1962. ... In February 1963, the government of Singapore conducted a security operation, named Operation Coldstore (sometimes spelled Operation Cold Store), and arrested at least 107 left-wing politicians and trade unionists. ... The start of the July riot on Prophet Muhammads birthday, that would later injure hundreds and kill 23 people. ... MacDonald House bombing occured on 10 March 1965, at the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank building (known as MacDonald House) along Orchard Road, Singapore. ... Operation Spectrum was launched on May 21 1987 by Singapores Internal Security Department (ISD) using its Internal Security Act (ISA). ... The East Asian financial crisis was a period of economic unrest that started in July 1997 in Thailand and affected currencies, stock markets, and other asset prices in several Asian countries, many considered East Asian Tigers. ... The Singapore embassies attack plot was a plan by the Al-Qaeda-affiliated Jemaah Islamiyah to bomb the diplomatic missions and attack personnel of the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, and Israel in Singapore and several other targets in Singapore. ... This is a brief timeline of the history of Singapore. ... The Japanese Twenty-Fifth Army was the Japanese force that invaded and conquered the British colony of Malaya in late 1941 and early 1942. ... British Malaya was a set of states that were colonized by the British from the 18th and the 19th until the 20th century. ... Flag Capital Hanoi Language(s) French Political structure Federation Historical era New Imperialism  - Addition of Laos 1893, 1887  - Vietnamese Declaration of Independence September 2, 1945  - Independence of Laos July 19, 1949  - Independence of Cambodia November 9, 1953  - Recognized Independence of Vietnam 1954, 1954 Area  - 1945 750,000 km² Currency French... Amphibious Assault began when 17-year-old, former Kittie guitarist, Fallon Bowman was on a plane from Ontario to New Jersey, skimming through a Tom Clancy novel when she came upon the term amphibious assault. ... is the 342nd day of the year (343rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see 1941 (disambiguation). ... This article is about the actual attack. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Combatants Singapore Imperial Japanese Navy Strength Anti-aircraft guns 1 battleship 1 battlecruiser 17 aircraft Casualties 61 killed 700 wounded The first air raid on Singapore was conducted by seventeen bombers of the Imperial Japanese Navy. ... “Flak” redirects here. ...

The Japanese Army was resisted in northern Malaya by III Corps of the Indian Army and several British Army battalions. Although the 25th Army was outnumbered by Allied forces in Malaya and Singapore, Japanese commanders concentrated their forces. The Japanese were superior in close air support, armour, coordination, tactics and experience. The Imperial Japanese Army Air Force was more numerous, and better trained than the second hand assortment of untrained pilots and inferior allied equipment remaining in Malaya, Borneo and Singapore. Their superior fighters, especially the Mitsubishi A6M Zero, helped the Japanese to gain air superiority. The Allies had no armored vehicles such as tanks, which put them at a severe disadvantage. The British Indian III Corps was the primary ground formation that took part in the campaign in Malaya in 1942. ... A group of native Indian Muslim soldiers posing for volley firing orders. ... The British Army is the land armed forces branch of the British Armed Forces. ... An Apache attack helicopter provides close air support to United States Army soldiers patrolling the Tigris River southeast of Baghdad, Iraq during the Iraq War. ... This article is about the armoured fighting vehicle. ... Military tactics (Greek: Taktikē, the art of organizing an army) are the collective name for methods for engaging and defeating an enemy in battle. ... The Imperial Japanese Army Air Service was Imperial Japans land based aviation force. ... Mitsubishi A6M2 Zero Model 21 (cowling removed) The Mitsubishi A6M was a light-weight carrier-based fighter aircraft employed by the Imperial Japanese Navy from 1940 to 1945. ... Air superiority is the dominance in the air power of one side air forces of another side during a military campaign. ...

The battleships HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse and four destroyers (Force Z) reached Malaya before the Japanese began their air assaults. This force was thought to be "unsinkable" and a deterrent to the Japanese. Japanese aircraft sank the capital ships, leaving the east coast of Malaya exposed and allowing the Japanese to continue their amphibious landings. For other uses, see Battleship (disambiguation). ... HMS Prince of Wales was a King George V-class battleship of the Royal Navy, built at the Cammell Laird shipyard in Birkenhead, England. ... HMS Repulse was a Renown-class battlecruiser, the second to last battlecruiser built for the Royal Navy. ... USS McFaul underway in the Atlantic Ocean. ... Combatants Force Z of the Royal Navy Imperial Japanese Navy Commanders Sir Tom Phillips † John Leach † William Tennant Niichi Nakanishi Shichizo Miyauchi Strength 1 battleship 1 battlecruiser 4 destroyers 10 aircraft 88 aircraft (34 torpedo aircraft, 51 level bombers, 3 scouting aircraft) Casualties 1 battleship, 1 battlecruiser sunk, 840 killed... Amphibious Assault began when 17-year-old, former Kittie guitarist, Fallon Bowman was on a plane from Ontario to New Jersey, skimming through a Tom Clancy novel when she came upon the term amphibious assault. ...

View of the blown up causeway, with the visible gap in the middle, delaying Japanese landfall for over a week to February 8.

Japanese forces quickly isolated, surrounded, and forced the surrender of Indian units defending the coast. They advanced down the Malayan peninsula overwhelming the defences, despite numerical inferiority. The Japanese also used bicycle infantry and light tanks, which allowed swift movement of their forces through the jungle. This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ... This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ... is the 39th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Bicycle infantry are infantry soldiers who maneuver on the battlefield using bicycles. ... The US M1A1 Abrams tank is a typical modern main battle tank. ... Box Log Falls, Lamington National Park, Queensland, Australia Jungle usually refers to a dense forest in a hot climate, such as a tropical rainforest. ...

Although more Allied units, including some from the Australian 8th Division, joined the campaign, the Japanese prevented the Allied forces from regrouping, overran cities, and advanced towards Singapore. The city was an anchor for the operations of the American-British-Dutch-Australian Command (ABDACOM), the first Allied joint command of World War II. The 8th Division of the Australian Army was formed to serve in World War II, as part of the Second Australian Imperial Force, who were in turn, part of the Allies of World War II. The 8th Division was raised from regular army units and new, all-volunteer infantry brigades... ABDACOM Area The American-British-Dutch-Australian (ABDA) Command, code name ABDACOM, was a short-lived, supreme command for all Allied forces in South East Asia, in early 1942, during the Pacific War. ... Look up ally in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tōjō Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000...

On January 31 the last Allied forces left Malaya and Allied engineers blew up the causeway linking Johore and Singapore. Japanese infiltrators—many disguised as Singaporean civilians—crossed the Straits of Johor in inflatable boats soon afterwards. is the 31st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Johor Causeway is a 1,056-meter causeway that that links the city of Johor Bahru in Malaysia across the Straits of Johor to the town of Woodlands in Singapore. ... State Motto: the state moto as appeared on the coat of arms reads kepada Allah berserah which literally means all hopes is to God (Allah) Capital Johor Bahru Bandar DiRaja Bandar Maharani Sultan Iskandar Al-haj Chief minister Abdul Ghani Othman Area 19,984 km² Population 2. ... Geography The Straits of Johor (also known as the Tebrau Strait, Johor Strait, Selat Johor, Selat Tebrau, and Tebrau Reach) is a narrow stretch of water that separates Johor state, Malaysia from Singapore. ...

Preparations

Singapore in early February 1942; the disposition of Allied ground forces is in red. The main north-south transport corridor, formed by Woodlands Road and the railway, connecting the city centre (in the south east) and The Causeway (central north), is the black line running through the centre of the island. Sarimbun is at the north west corner of the island; Bukit Timah is located close to the centre on the transport corridor; Pasir Panjang is between the city centre and the south west corner of the island and; the "Jurong Line" is the bracket-like shape in red, just west of Woodlands Road.

The Allied commander, Lieutenant-General Arthur Percival had 85,000 soldiers, the equivalent, on paper, of just over four divisions. There were about 70,000 front-line troops in 38 infantry battalions—17 Indian, 13 British, six Australian and two Malayan—and three machine-gun battalions. The newly-arrived British 18th Infantry Division under Major-General Merton Beckwith-Smith was at full strength, but lacked experience and appropriate training; most of the other units were under strength as a result of the mainland campaign. The local battalions had no experience and in some cases no training.^[3] Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 546 pixelsFull resolution (1305 × 891 pixel, file size: 235 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg)The disposition of Allied ground forces in Singapore in early February 1942, prior to the Battle of Singapore. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 546 pixelsFull resolution (1305 × 891 pixel, file size: 235 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg)The disposition of Allied ground forces in Singapore in early February 1942, prior to the Battle of Singapore. ... The Johor-Singapore Causeway, as viewed from the Woodlands Checkpoint in Singapore, facing towards Johor Bahru, Malaysia. ... Sarimbun is an area located in the north-western part of Singapore, close to the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Live Firing Area. ... // hello!!! so u are a fucker The summit of Bukit Timah, the highest point in Singapore. ... Pasir Panjang is an area in the south-western part of Singapore. ... Lieutenant-General Arthur Ernest Percival, CB, DSO and Bar, OBE, MC, OStJ, DL (December 26, 1887 - January 31, 1966) was a British Army officer and World War I hero. ... Symbol of the Polish 1st Legions Infantry Division in NATO code A division is a large military unit or formation usually consisting of around ten to twenty thousand soldiers. ... British Malaya was a set of states that were colonized by the British from the 18th and the 19th until the 20th century. ... The 18th Infantry Division was a Division of the British Army in World War 2. ... Merton Beckwith-Smith, DSO, MC, MA, Croix de Guerre, (11 July 1890 - 11 November 1942), was a British Army officer during the First and Second World Wars . ...

Percival gave Major-General Gordon Bennett's two brigades from the Australian 8th Division responsibility for the western side of Singapore, including the prime invasion points in the north-west of the island. This was mostly mangrove swamp and jungle, broken by rivers and creeks. In the heart of the "Western Area" was RAF Tengah, Singapore's largest airfield at the time. The Australian 22nd Brigade was assigned a 10 mile (16  km) wide sector in the west, and the 27th Brigade had responsibility for a 4,000 yard (3,650 m) zone just west of the Causeway. The infantry positions were reinforced by the recently-arrived Australian 2/4th Machine-Gun Battalion. Also under Bennett's command was the 44th Indian Brigade. Major General or Major-General is a military rank used in many countries. ... Henry Gordon Bennett (April 16, 1887 – August 1, 1962) was an Australian soldier who served in both World War I and World War II. Despite highly decorated achievements during World War I, including at Gallipoli, Bennett is best remembered for his role in the Fall of Singapore in the Pacific... The 8th Division of the Australian Army was formed to serve in World War II, as part of the Second Australian Imperial Force, who were in turn, part of the Allies of World War II. The 8th Division was raised from regular army units and new, all-volunteer infantry brigades... Above and below water view at the edge of the mangal. ... The Indian 17th Infantry Division was a formation of the British Indian Army raised during World War II. It had the distinction of being continually in combat during the three-year long Burma Campaign (except for brief periods of refit). ...

The Indian III Corps under Lieutenant-General Sir Lewis Heath, including the Indian 11th Infantry Division, (Major-General B. W. Key), the British 18th Division and the 15th Indian Brigade, was assigned the north-eastern sector, known as the "Northern Area". This included the naval base at Sembawang. The "Southern Area", including the main urban areas in the south-east, was commanded by Major-General Frank Keith Simmons. His forces comprised about 18 battalions, including the Malayan 1st Infantry Brigade, the Straits Settlements Volunteer Force Brigade and Indian 12th Infantry Brigade. The British Indian III Corps was the primary ground formation that took part in the campaign in Malaya in 1942. ... Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. ... Lieutenant-General Sir Lewis Macclesfield Heath, KBE, CB, CIE, DSO, MC (1885-1954) was a British Army officer and general during World War II. Having achieved some success as GOC 5th Indian Division during the East African Campaign, Heath was appointed to command III Indian Corps during the Battle of... The 11th Indian Infantry Division was a Indian division which formed part of Indian III Corps in the British forces during the Battle of Malaya. ... Lieutenant-General Berthold Wells Billy Key DSO MC ADC was a British Indian Army officer. ... The 11th Indian Infantry Division was an Indian division which formed part of Indian III Corps in the Malaya Command during the Battle of Malaya. ... // Sembawang Group Representation Constituency. ... The Royal Malay Regiment (Malay: Rejimen Askar Melayu DiRaja) is one of two infantry regiments in the Malaysian Army. ... The Straits Settlements Volunteer Force (SSVF) was a military reserve force in the Straits Settlements, while they were under British rule. ... The 12th Indian Infantry Brigade was part of the Singapore Fortress garrison during the Second World War . ...

From aerial reconnaissance, scouts, infiltrators and high ground across the straits such as the Sultan of Johore's palace, the Japanese commander, General Tomoyuki Yamashita and his staff gained excellent knowledge of the Allied positions. From February 3 the Allies were shelled by Japanese artillery. This article concerns the sultan of Johor. ... Tomoyuki Yamashita, 1945 General Tomoyuki Yamashita (山下 奉文 Yamashita Tomoyuki,) (November 8, 1885 – February 23, 1946) was a general of the Japanese Imperial Army during the World War II era. ... is the 34th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...

One of Singapore's 15 inch coastal defence guns elevated for firing.

Japanese air attacks on Singapore intensified over the next five days. Air and artillery bombardment intensified, severely disrupting communications between Allied units and their commanders and affecting preparations for the defence of the island. Image File history File links Size of this preview: 439 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (493 × 673 pixel, file size: 52 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Description: One of Singapores 15 inch coastal defence guns elevated for firing. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 439 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (493 × 673 pixel, file size: 52 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Description: One of Singapores 15 inch coastal defence guns elevated for firing. ...

Singapore's famous large-calibre coastal guns—which included one battery of three 15-inch (381 mm) guns and one with two 15-inch (381 mm) guns—were supplied mostly with armour-piercing (AP) shells and few high explosive (HE) shells. AP shells were designed to penetrate the hulls of warships and were ineffective against infantry, rendering the guns relatively ineffective. It is commonly said that the guns could not fire on the Japanese forces because they faced south, but this is not so. Although placed to defend against enemy ships instead of the straits, most of the guns could turn northwards and they did fire at the invaders. Military analysts later estimated that if the guns had been well supplied with HE shells the Japanese attackers would have suffered heavy casualties, but the invasion would not have been prevented. 19th century coastal artillery guns preserved in Suomenlinna fortress in Helsinki Coastal artillery is the branch of armed forces concerned with operating mobile anti-ship artillery or fixed gun batteries in coastal fortifications. ... An Armour piercing shell is a type of ammunition designed to penetrate armour. ... This article is concerned solely with chemical explosives. ...

Yamashita had just over 30,000 men, from three divisions: the Imperial Guards Division under Lieutenant-General Takuma Nishimura, the 5th Division under Lieutenant-General Takuro Matsui and the 18th Division under Lieutenant-General Renya Mutaguchi. The elite Imperial Guards units included a light tank brigade. The Japanese Imperial Guard (近衛師団 このえしだん Konoe Shidan) protects the Emperor, the Empress and Imperial Family, the Imperial Palaces and other imperial properties. ... Takuma Nishimura (1899–1951) was a soldier of the Empire of Japan. ... The 5th Infantry Division ) was an infantry division in the Imperial Japanese Army. ... IJA 18th Division ) was an infantry division in the Imperial Japanese Army. ... (1888-1966) Lieutenant-General Renya Mutaguchi Commanded the 18th Division in south China and in the World War II Campaigns in Malaya, Philippines and Burma. ...

The Japanese landings

The Japanese landings on Singapore Island.

Main article: Battle of Sarimbun Beach

Blowing up the causeway had delayed the Japanese attack for over a week. At 8.30pm on February 8, Australian machine gunners opened fire on vessels carrying a first wave of 4,000 troops from the 5th and 18th Divisions towards Singapore island. The Japanese assaulted Sarimbun Beach, in the sector controlled by the Australian 22nd Brigade under Brigadier Harold Taylor. Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... The Battle of Sarimbun Beach or the Sarimbun Beach Battle was an assault of the Japanese army against Allied forces in Singapore in February 1942. ... is the 39th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Battle of Sarimbun Beach or the Sarimbun Beach Battle was an assault of the Japanese army against Allied forces in Singapore in February 1942. ...

Fierce fighting raged all day, but eventually the increasing Japanese numbers—and the superiority of their artillery, aircraft and military intelligence—began to take their toll. In the northwest of the island they exploited gaps in the thinly spread Allied lines such as rivers and creeks. By midnight the two Australian brigades had lost communications with each other and the 22nd Brigade was forced to retreat. At 1am further Japanese troops were landed in the northwest of the island and the last Australian reserves went in. Towards dawn on February 9 elements of the 22nd Brigade were overrun or surrounded, and the 2/18th Australian Infantry Battalion had lost more than half of its personnel. is the 40th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... See also Australian 8th Division Battle of Singapore Blakang Mati Changi Prison Prisoner of war Prisoner-of-war camp External links The Australian War Memorial Research Centre http://www. ...

Air War

Firefighters battle the results of a Japanese air raid on February 8, 1942.

Malay civilians passing by a Hawker Hurricane fighter shot down on February 8, along East Coast Road.

Brewster Buffalo fighters based at Sembawang Airfield.

Air cover was provided by only one squadron, RAF 232 Squadron, based at Kallang airfield. This was because Tengah, Seletar and Sembawang were in range of Japanese artillery at Johore Bahru. Kallang Airfield was the only operational airstrip left—the remaining squadrons were withdrawn from Singapore by January. This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ... This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ... This article is about the profession. ... is the 39th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1942 (MCMXLII) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link will display the full 1942 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... The Hawker Hurricane was a British single-seat fighter aircraft designed and predominantly built by Hawker Aircraft Ltd. ... is the 39th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... East Coast Park Serivice Road is a road that runs along the perimeter of the East Coast Park and the majority of the East Coast Parkway. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... The Brewster F2A Buffalo was an American fighter plane which saw limited service during World War II. In 1939, the F2A became the first monoplane fighter aircraft used by the US Navy. ... RAF is an three letter acronym for: Royal Air Force -- the Air Force of the United Kingdom (see also Air Ministry) Red Army Faction (Rote Armee Fraktion) -- a German terror organisation Rigas Autobusu Fabrika -- a factory making buses in Riga, Latvia Rapid Action Force in India Računarski Fakultet RAF... This is a list of Royal Air Force aircraft squadrons. ... The Kallang Airport (Chinese: 加冷机场), also known as the Kallang Aerodrome, opened on 1937 as Singapores first purpose-built civil airport, together with a anchorage for seaplanes. ... Seletar Airport (IATA: XSP, ICAO: WSSL) (Chinese: 实里达机场) was Singapores first international airport. ... This article refers to the largest city of the State of Johor in Malaysia. ... The Kallang Airport (Chinese: 加冷机场), also known as the Kallang Aerodrome, opened on 1937 as Singapores first purpose-built civil airport, together with a anchorage for seaplanes. ...

This fighter force performed considerably well, but was outnumbered and often outmatched by the Japanese A6M Zero—it suffered severe losses, both in the air and on the ground during February. The only reliable aircraft left was the Hawker Hurricane, but only ten were left in Singapore when the Japanese invaded. The Mitsubishi A6M Zero (A for fighter, 6th model, M for Mitsubishi) was a lightweight, carrier-based fighter aircraft employed by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service from 1940 to 1945. ... The Hawker Hurricane was a British single-seat fighter aircraft designed and predominantly built by Hawker Aircraft Ltd. ...

From December 8, Singapore was subject to aerial bombing by long-range Japanese aircraft, such as the Mitsubishi G3M ("Nell") and the Mitsubishi G4M ("Betty"), based in Japanese-occupied Indochina. is the 342nd day of the year (343rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The aerial bombing of cities became a common tactic in World War II. // World War I The first ever aerial bombardment of civilians was on January 19, 1915, in which two German Zeppelins dropped 24 fifty-kilogram high-explosive bombs and ineffective three-kilogram incendiaries on Great Yarmouth, Sheringham, Kings... The Mitsubishi G3M (九六式陸上攻撃機: Type 96 land-based attack aircraft; Allied reporting name Nell) was a Japanese bomber aircraft used during World War II, mostly against the Chinese. ... Mitsubishi G4M The Mitsubishi G4M (一式陸上攻撃機:Type 1 land-based attack aircraft; Allied reporting name Betty) was a twin-engined, land-based bomber aircraft used by the Imperial Japanese Navy in World War II. The bomber is nicknamed the Betty by the American military. ... Indochina 1886 Indochina, or the Indochinese Peninsula, is a region in Southeast Asia. ...

During December, 51 Hurricane Mk II fighters were sent in crates to Singapore, with 24 pilots, the nuclei of five squadrons. They arrived on 3 January, 1942, by which stage the Buffalo squadrons, had been overwhelmed. No. 232 Squadron was formed and No. 488 Squadron RNZAF, a Buffalo squadron, converted to Hurricanes. 232 Sqn became operational on 20 January and destroyed three Ki-43s that day,^[4] for the loss of three Hurricanes. However, like the Buffalos before them, the Hurricanes began to suffer severe losses in intense dogfights. The Hawker Hurricane was a British single-seat fighter aircraft designed and predominantly built by Hawker Aircraft Ltd. ... 488(NZ) Squadron, Royal Air Force 488 Squadron formed in September 1941 at Rongotai, New Zealand under squadron leader W.G. Clouston, a veteran of the Battles of France and Britain with 9 victories to his credit. ...

During the period January 27–January 30, another 48 Hurricanes (Mk IIA) arrived with No. 226 Group (four squadrons) on the aircraft carrier HMS Indomitable, from which they flew to airfields code-named P1 and P2, near Palembang, Sumatra in the Dutch East Indies. The staggered arrival of the Hurricanes, along with inadequate early warning systems, meant that Japanese air raids were able to destroy a large proportion of the Hurricanes on the ground in Sumatra and Singapore. is the 27th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 30th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... HMS Indomitable (R92) was a modified Illustrious class aircraft carrier of the British Royal Navy. ... Location of Palembang Palembang is a city in the south of the Indonesian island of Sumatra. ... For other uses, see Sumatra (disambiguation). ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

On the morning of February 8, a number of aerial dogfights took place over Sarimbun Beach and other western areas. In the first encounter, the last ten Hurricanes of 232 Sqn were scrambled from Kallang Airfield to intercept a Japanese formation of about 84 planes, flying from Johore to provide air cover for their invasion force. In two sorties the Hurricanes shot down six Japanese planes for the loss of one of their own—they flew back to Kallang halfway through the battle, hurriedly re-fuelled, then returned to it.^[5] is the 39th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the aerial combat maneuver. ... The Kallang Airport (Chinese: 加冷机场), also known as the Kallang Aerodrome, opened on 1937 as Singapores first purpose-built civil airport, together with a anchorage for seaplanes. ...

Air battles went on over the island for the rest of the day, and by nightfall it was clear that with the few machines Percival had left Kallang could no longer be used as a base. With Percival's assent the remaining Hurricanes were withdrawn to Palembang, Sumatra, and Kallang became merely an advanced landing ground. No allied aircraft were seen again over Singapore, and the Japanese had full control of the skies.^[6] Lieutenant-General Arthur Ernest Percival December 26, 1887 – January 31, 1966. ... Location of Palembang Palembang is a city in the south of the Indonesian island of Sumatra. ... For other uses, see Sumatra (disambiguation). ...

The second day

Percival maintained a belief that further landings would occur in the northeast and did not reinforce the 22nd Brigade. During February 9 Japanese landings shifted to the southwest, where they encountered the Indian 44th Brigade. Allied units were forced to retreat further east. Bennett decided to form a secondary defensive line, known as the "Jurong Line", around Bulim, east of Tengah Airfield and just north of Jurong. is the 40th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Jurong is a constituency and town of Singapore, located in the western part of the mainland, in the West Region. ...

Brigadier Duncan Maxwell's Australian 27th Brigade, to the north, did not face Japanese assaults until the Imperial Guards landed at 10pm on February 9. This operation went very badly for the Japanese, who suffered severe casualties from Australian mortars and machine guns, and from burning oil which had been sluiced into the water. A small number of Guards reached the shore and maintained a tenuous beachhead. is the 40th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Soldier Firing the M224 60-mm Mortar. ... Sluice gates near Henley, on the River Thames A small wooden sluice in Magome, Japan, used to power a waterwheel. ... A beachhead is a military term used to describe the line created when a unit (by sea) reaches a beach, and begins to defend that area of beach, while other reinforcements (hopefully) help out, until a unit large enough to begin advancing has arrived. ...

Command and control problems caused further cracks in the Allied defence. Maxwell was aware that the 22nd Brigade was under increasing pressure, but was unable to contact Taylor and was wary of encirclement. In spite of his brigade's success—and in contravention of orders from Bennett—Maxwell ordered it to withdraw from Kranji in the central north. The Allies thereby lost control of the beaches adjoining the west side of The Causeway. Encirclement is a military term for the situation when one sides force or target is isolated and surrounded by other sides forces. ... Kranji is a north area located in Singapore, about 22 kilometres (15 miles) of the city centre. ...

The Japanese breakthrough

Japanese forces at Bukit Timah.

The opening at Kranji made it possible for Imperial Guards armoured units to land unopposed there. Tanks with flotation equipment attached were towed across the strait and advanced rapidly south, along Woodlands Road. This allowed Yamashita to outflank the 22nd Brigade on the Jurong Line, as well as bypassing the Indian 11th Division at the naval base. However, the Imperial Guards failed to seize an opportunity to advance into the city centre itself. Image File history File linksMetadata Bosjaptankbukitimah. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Bosjaptankbukitimah. ... Combatants Japanese 5th and 18th Divisions British 2nd Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlander, Dalforce (Overseas Chinese Anti-Japanese Volunteer Army), 22nd Australian Brigade, 44th Indian Brigade Commanders Ian MacAlister Stewart Angus MacDonald The Battle of Bukit Timah was a momentous battle fought during World War II on 11 February 1942 in...

On the evening of February 10, General Archibald Wavell ordered the transfer of all remaining Allied air force personnel to the Dutch East Indies. By this time the last airfield at Kallang was so pitted with bomb craters that it was no longer usable. is the 41st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Field Marshal Archibald Percival Wavell, 1st Earl Wavell, GCB, GCSI, GCIE, CMG, MC, PC (May 5, 1883 – May 24, 1950) was a British field marshal and the commander of British Army forces in the Middle East during World War II. He led British forces to victory over the Italians, only... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

On the evening of February 10, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, cabled Wavell, saying: is the 41st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Churchill redirects here. ...

Wavell subsequently told Percival that the ground forces were to fight on to the end, and that there should not be a general surrender in Singapore. Chief of the Imperial General Staff (CIGS) was the title of the professional head of the British Army from 1908 to 1964. ... Field Marshal Alan Francis Brooke, 1st Viscount Alanbrooke, KG, GCB, OM, GCVO, DSO (23 July 1883 - 17 June 1963) was a British career soldier, the Chief of the Imperial General Staff during the Second World War, and was promoted to Field Marshal in 1944. ... The Malay Peninsula (Malay: Semenanjung Tanah Melayu) is a major peninsula located in Southeast Asia. ... The 18th (East Anglian) Infantry Division was a Division of the British Army in World War II , A duplicate of the 54th (East Anglian) Division . ... Combatants Soviet Union,[1] Poland, Tannu Tuva (until 1944 incorporation with USSR), Mongolia Germany,[2] Italy (to 1943), Romania (to 1944), Finland (to 1944), Hungary, Slovakia, Croatia, Spain (to 1943, unofficial) Commanders Joseph Stalin, Aleksei Antonov, Ivan Konev, Rodion Malinovsky, Ivan Bagramyan, Kirill Meretskov, Ivan Petrov, Alexander Rodimtsev, Konstantin Rokossovsky... Combatants the Philippines, United States Japan Commanders Douglas MacArthur/ Jonathan M. Wainwright Masaharu Homma Strength About 150,000 120,000 Casualties 2,500 killed in action; 10,000 POWs killed/died during Bataan Death March 5,000 wounded 100,000 POWs total 1,200 killed; 500 missing in action 1...

On February 11, knowing that Japanese supplies were running perilously low, Yamashita decided to bluff and he called on Percival to "give up this meaningless and desperate resistance". By this stage the fighting strength of the 22nd Brigade—which had borne the brunt of the Japanese attacks—had been reduced to a few hundred men. The Japanese had captured the Bukit Timah area, including most of the allied ammunition and fuel and giving them control of the main water supplies. is the 42nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Combatants Japanese 5th and 18th Divisions British 2nd Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlander, Dalforce (Overseas Chinese Anti-Japanese Volunteer Army), 22nd Australian Brigade, 44th Indian Brigade Commanders Ian MacAlister Stewart Angus MacDonald The Battle of Bukit Timah was a momentous battle fought during World War II on 11 February 1942 in...

Malayan infantry in the Battle of Pasir Panjang.

The next day the allied lines stabilised around a small area in the south-east of the island and fought off determined Japanese assaults. Other units, including the Malayan 1st Infantry Brigade, had joined in. A Malayan platoon, led by Lt Adnan bin Saidi, held the Japanese for two days at the Battle of Pasir Panjang. His unit defended Bukit Chandu, an area which included a major allied ammunition store. Adnan was executed by the Japanese after his unit was overrun. Image File history File links Bosmalaymortar. ... Image File history File links Bosmalaymortar. ... Combatants 18th “Chrysanthemum” Division, 56th Infantry Regiment Royal Malay Regiment, British 2nd Loyals Regiment, 5th Bttn. ... The 1st Malaya Infantry Brigade was formed in Singapore during the Second World War . ... ġσ ς Lt. ... Combatants 18th “Chrysanthemum” Division, 56th Infantry Regiment Royal Malay Regiment, British 2nd Loyals Regiment, 5th Bttn. ... Bukit Chandu (Opium Hill) is an area in Singapore where the Battle of Bukit Chandu took placed on 14 February 1942 during Battle of Singapore in World War II. Reflections of Bukit Chandu museum Kent Ridge Park Categories: | | | ...

On February 13, with the Allies still losing ground, senior officers advised Percival to surrender in the interests of minimising civilian casualties. Percival refused, but unsuccessfully sought authority to surrender from his superiors. is the 44th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...

That same day military police executed a convicted British traitor, Captain Patrick Heenan, who had been an Air Liaison Officer with the Indian Army.^[8] Japanese military intelligence had recruited Heenan before the war, and he had used a radio to assist them in targeting Allied airfields in northern Malaya. He had been arrested on December 10 and court-martialled in January. Heenan was shot at Keppel Harbour, on the south side of Singapore, and his body was thrown into the sea. Circa February 8, 1941. ... is the 344th day of the year (345th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... About Keppel Harbor in Singapore is one of the worlds largest container-handling facilities, situated near to the City states Central Business District. ...

The following day the remaining Allied units fought on; civilian casualties mounted as one million people crowded into the area still held by the Allies, and bombing and artillery fire intensified. Civilian authorities began to fear that the water supply would give out.

Alexandra Hospital massacre

A plaque commemorating the massacre and expanding on the hospital's history after the war.

At about 1pm on February 14 Japanese soldiers approached the Alexandra Barracks Hospital. No resistance was offered by anyone in the building, but the Japanese attacked and killed the medical staff and some patients, including an allied corporal who was lying on an operating table. The following day about 200 male staff members and patients, many of them walking wounded, were ordered to walk about 400 metres to an industrial area. Anyone who fell on the way was bayoneted. The men were forced into a series of small, badly ventilated rooms and were imprisoned overnight without water. Some died during the night as a result of their treatment. The remainder were bayoneted the following morning.^[9] is the 45th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Alexandra Hospital is a 400-bed hospital located in the West of Singapore. ... This article is about the military rank. ... For other uses, see bayonet (disambiguation). ... Dehydration (hypohydration) is the removal of water (hydro in ancient Greek) from an object. ...

The fall of Singapore

Lt Gen Yamashita (seated, centre) thumps the table with his fist to emphasize his terms — unconditional surrender. Lt Gen Percival sits between his officers, his clenched hand to his mouth.

Surrendering troops of the Suffolk Regiment held at gunpoint by Japanese infantry.

By the morning of Chinese New Year, February 15, the Japanese had broken through the last line of defence and the Allies were running out of food and some kinds of ammunition. The anti-aircraft guns had also run out of ammunition and were unable to repel any further Japanese air attacks which threatened to cause heavy casualties in the city centre. February 15, 1942. ... February 15, 1942. ... Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... The Suffolk Regiment was an infantry regiment of the line in the British Army with a history dating back to 1685. ... For other traditions of celebrating lunar new year, see Lunar New Year. ... is the 46th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...

At 9:30 a.m, Percival held a conference at Fort Canning with his senior commanders. Percival posed two alternatives. Either launch an immediate counter-attack to regain the reservoirs and the military food depots in the Bukit Timah region and drive the enemy's artillery off its commanding heights outside the town, or capitulate. All present agreed that no counter-attack was possible. Percival opted for surrender. Fort Canning Park, River Valley Road entrance Fort Canning Park, Hill Street entrance Fort Canning (Chinese: 福康宁; Pinyin: Fúkāngníng) is a small hill in the southeast portion of the island city-state of Singapore, within the Central Area that forms Singapores central business district. ... // hello!!! so u are a fucker The summit of Bukit Timah, the highest point in Singapore. ...

A deputation was selected to go to the Japanese Headquarters. It consisted of a senior Staff Officer, the Colonial Secretary and an interpreter. They set off in a motor car bearing a Union Jack and a white flag of truce towards the enemy lines to discuss a cessation of hostilities. They returned with orders that Percival himself proceed with Staff Officers to the Ford Motor Factory, where General Yamashita would lay down the terms of surrender. A further requirement was that the Japanese Rising Sun Flag be hoisted over the tallest building in Singapore, the Cathay Building, as soon as possible to maximise the psychological impact of the official surrender. Percival formally surrendered shortly after 5.15pm. Flag Ratio: 1:2 Union Jack is the commonly used name for the Union Flag of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. ... Lt Gen Arthur Percival, led by a Japanese officer, marches under a flag of truce on the driveway towards the Ford Motor Factory to negotiate the capitulation of Allied forces in Singapore, on 15 February 1942. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... While the main structure of the Cathay Building has been demolished to make way for the development of The Cathay, the front façade has been preserved and gazetted as a national monument. ...

The terms of the surrender included:

• The unconditional surrender of all military forces (Army, Navy and Air Force) in Singapore Area.
• Hostilities to cease at 8:30 p.m. that evening.
• All troops to remain in position until further orders.
• All weapons, military equipment, ships, planes and secret documents to be handed over intact.
• To prevent looting, etc., during the temporary withdrawal of all armed forces in Singapore, a force of 100 British armed men to take over until relieved by the Japanese.

Earlier that day Percival had issued orders to destroy before 4 p.m. all secret and technical equipment, ciphers, codes, secret documents and heavy guns. Yamashita accepted his assurance that no ships or planes remained in Singapore. According to Tokyo's Domei News Agency Yamashita also accepted full responsibility for the lives of British and Australian troops, as well as British civilians remaining in Singapore. Domei Tsushin (United News Agency) was Japans official news agency and most important news source in the 1930s and until 1945. ...

Bennett, along with some of his staff officers, caused controversy when he handed command of the 8th Division to a brigadier and commandeered a small boat.^[10] They eventually made their way back to Australia.

The Japanese Occupation of Singapore had begun. The city was renamed Syonan-to (Japanese: 昭南島 Shōnan-tō, literally Light-of-the-South Island). The Japanese sought vengeance against the Chinese and to eliminate anyone who held anti-Japanese sentiment. The Imperial authorities were suspicious of the Chinese because of the Second Sino-Japanese War, and killed many in the Sook Ching Massacre. The other races of Singapore, such as the Malays and the Indians were not spared. The residents would suffer great hardships under Japanese rule over the following three and a half years. The Japanese Occupation of Singapore was to become a major turning point in the history of several nations, including that of the Japanese, who rampaged down the Malay Peninsula with the singular intent of occupying Singapore to gain greater control over her war-time resource gathering efforts, the British, with... Anti-Japanese sentiment refers to the view of the Japanese people or of the Japanese nation with suspicion or hostility. ... The Sook Ching massacre (肅清大屠殺) was a systematic extermination of perceived hostile elements among the Chinese in Singapore by the Japanese military during the Japanese Occupation of Singapore, after the British colony surrendered in the Battle of Singapore on 15 February 1942 during World War II. Sook Ching was later extended... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... A non-resident Indian (NRI) is an Indian citizen who has migrated to another country. ...

Victorious Japanese troops marching through Fullerton Square.

Many of the British and Australian soldiers taken prisoner remained in Singapore's Changi Prison. Many would never return home. Thousands of others were shipped on prisoner transports known as "hell ships" to other parts of Asia, including Japan, to be used as forced labour on projects such as the Siam-Burma Death Railway and Sandakan airfield in North Borneo. Many of those aboard the ships perished. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... The Fullerton Singapore is a masterpiece of understated comfort and elegance. ... Changi chapel, built by Australian POWs in 1944, later relocated to Duntroon, Canberra Changi Prison (Simplified Chinese: ) is a prison located in Changi in the eastern part of Singapore. ... The term Hell Ship refers to any of the ships used by the Imperial Japanese Navy to transport prisoners of war out of the Philippines, Hong Kong and Singapore during World War II. The POWs would be taken to Japan, Taiwan, Manchuria, or Korea to be used as forced labor. ... Unfree labour is a generic or collective term for forms of work, especially in modern or early modern history, in which adults and/or children are employed without wages, or for a minimal wage. ... The Bridge over the river Kwai Map of the Death Railway The Death Railway (known also as Thai-Burma Railway or Burma Railway) was a railway built from Thailand to Burma (now Myanmar) by the Japanese during World War II to complete the route from Bangkok to Rangoon and support... October 24, 1945. ... Motto: Pergo et Perago (Latin: I undertake and I achieve”) British North Borneo Capital Jesselton Language(s) Malay, English Government Monarchy Monarch  - 1882 - 1901 Victoria  - 1952 - 1963 Elizabeth II Governor  - 1896 - 1901 Robert Scott Historical era New Imperialism  - North Borneo Company May, 1882  - British protectorate 1888  - Japanese invasion January 1...

The Japanese were highly successful in recruiting Indian soldiers taken prisoner. From a total of about 40,000 Indian personnel in Singapore in February 1942, about 30,000 joined the pro-Japanese "Indian National Army", which fought Allied forces in the Burma Campaign.^[11] Others became POW camp guards at Changi. However, many Indian Army personnel resisted recruitment and remained POWs. An unknown number were taken to Japanese-occupied areas in the South Pacific as forced labour. Many of them suffered severe hardships and brutality similar to that experienced by other prisoners of Japan during World War II. About 6,000 of them survived until they were liberated by Australian or U.S. forces, in 1943–45.^[11] The Indian National Army (I.N.A) or Azad Hind Fauj was the army of the Arzi Hukumat-e-Azad Hind (The Provisional Government of Free India ) which fought along with the Japanese 15th Army during the Japanese Campaign in Burma, and in the Battle of Imphal, during the Second... Combatants United Kingdom British India Republic of China United States Empire of Japan Indian National Army Burma National Army Thailand Commanders Louis Mountbatten William Slim Chiang Kai-Shek Joseph Stilwell Aung San(From 1944) Masakazu Kawabe Hyotaro Kimura Renya Mutaguchi Subhash Chandra Bose Aung San(until 1944) Strength Unknown Unknown...

After the Japanese surrender in 1945 Yamashita was tried by a US military commission for war crimes committed by Japanese personnel in the Philippines earlier that year, but not for crimes committed by his troops in Malaya or Singapore. He was convicted and hanged in the Philippines on February 23, 1946. Representatives of Japan stand aboard the USS Missouri prior to signing of the Instrument of Surrender. ... In the context of war, a war crime is a punishable offense under International Law, for violations of the laws of war by any person or persons, military or civilian. ... is the 54th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1946 (MCMXLVI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full 1946 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

See also

• Battle of Malaya
• Greater East Asia War in the Pacific
• Pacific War
• British Malaya Command - Order of Battle
• British Far East Command

Combatants Malaya Command: Indian III Corps Australian 8th Div. ... The Greater East Asia War was a term used, at least publicly in December of 1941, by Japans Imperial General Headquarters (Imperial GHQ) to refer to the conflict that followed (and ultimately reversed) Japans invasions in the 1930s and early 1940s of other nations in eastern Asia and... For other uses, see Pacific War (disambiguation). ... The Malaya Command was a command of the British Commonwealth forces formed in the 1920s for the coordination of the defences of Malaya and Singapore. ... The Far East Command was a British military command which had 2 distinct periods. ...

References

The University of Hawaii Press is a university press that is part of the University of Hawaii. ...

Footnotes

It has been suggested that Penguin Modern Poets, Penguin Great Ideas be merged into this article or section. ... is the 39th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1942 (MCMXLII) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link will display the full 1942 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Australian War Memorial is Australias national memorial to the members of all its armed forces and supporting organisations who have died or participated in the wars of the Commonwealth of Australia. ...

External links

• National Heritage Board, Battlefield Singapore
• Bicycle Blitzkrieg - The Japanese Conquest of Malaya and Singapore 1941-1942
• Royal Engineers Museum Royal Engineers and the Second World War - the Far East
• The diary of one British POW, Frederick George Pye of the Royal Engineers. Fred Pye was a POW for 3½ years, including time spent building the Burma Railway. He managed to save, write on and bury scraps of paper, and after the war compiled them into a readable form.
• Animated History of the Fall of Malaya and Singapore