Fall of Malaya and Singapore

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[Cause of Attack] [Japanese Preparations] [British Prepare] [Attack on Malaya] [Siege of Singapore] [Chronology of Malaya and Singapore]

Fall of Malaya and Singapore

Compiled by Ron Taylor

Malaya and Singapore The Japanese planned to occupy Malaya to gain its natural resources, this task was given to General Yamashita and his Twenty-fifth Army, a combat strength of 70,000.

The British relied on the virgin jungle of Malaya as a defence for Singapore from the north, but they were proved wrong by the preparations of Colonel Masanobu Tsuji. The Japanese campaign was launched in December 1941 and finished with the fall of Singapore early in February 1942.

This is the story of the battle for Malaya and the 60,000 allied soldiers that had to survive for three and a half years as Japanese prisoners of war.

	Cause of Japanese Attack - In 1939 Malaya produced 40 per cent of the worlds rubber and nearly 60 per cent of its tin, most of this went to America.

	Singapore Defences by Lieut.-General Sir Henry Pownall

	Japanese Preparations - The Japanese started preparations for the attack on Malaya twleve months before they entered the war.

	British Preparations - Singapore was proteced from the sea and observation of the north could be carried out, but the 1,000 miles of Malayan coast was unprotected.

	Malaya Command - Battle Order on 8th December, 1941.


	Attack on Malaya - At 2.15am on the 8th December 1941, Yamishita received a message saying Takumi had succeeded in the landing. Yamishita was now aboard ship in Singora harbour.

	Siege of Singapore - The Singapore fortress was Britain’s stronghold in the Far East, but she fell too quickly for Churchill.

	Killed in Action Malaya-Singapore - A complete database on those who died defending Malaya and Singapore


	Dispatches and Reports
	Air Operarations in Malaya & NEI - the complete dispatch as compiled by Vice-Marshal Sir Paul Maltby
	Force Z. - dispatch on the sinking of the Prince of Wales and Repulse by Admiral Sir G.Layton
	Operations of Malaya Command - the complete dispatch as compiled in Changi POW Camp 1942-45 and printed in the London Gazette 1948 by Lieut.-General. A.E. Percival
	Pownall´s Report by Lieut.-General Sir Henry Pownall
	War Diary by Admiral Sir Geoffrey Layton
	Wavell Report - Report drawn up by Major H.P. Thomas, O.B.E. I.A. This report is intended to give a general outline of the conditions under which the campaign was conducted. Supplied to the War Cabinet by General A.P. Wavell.

	Timeline
	Chronology of the Malayan and Singapore War - Taken from Media Masters* World War II Battlefield Guide of The Japanese Conquest of Malaya and Singapore.*

By Ron Taylor, dedicated to my father, Private 5776807, who fought in Singapore with the 18th Division and worked on the Death Railway, so we do not forget.

Taken from:

Defeat in Malaya and the fall of Singapore by Arthur Swinson

The Second World War by Winston Churchill

Knights of Bushido by Lord Russell of Liverpool

The Rising Sun by Arthur Zich

Malayan Postcript by Ian Morrison

[Cause of Attack] [Japanese Preparations] [British Prepare] [Attack on Malaya] [Siege of Singapore] [Chronology of Malaya and Singapore]

[FEPOW Family] [Research] [Serving Country] [Fall of Malaya and Singapore]

Keeping The Candle Burning

In Memory of FEPOW Family Loved Ones

Who Suffered in the Far East

Thanks for all the support

[FEPOW Family] [Research] [Fall of Malaya and Singapore]

Designed by Ronnie Taylor

Ronnie.Taylor@fepow.family