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Killed in Action
Malaya-Singapore
15th February 1942
After a meeting on the morning of 15th February 1942, Percival concluded, the supplies were just about exhausted and there was little left to defend, his orders were:-
‘We will surrender.’
At 1400 hours a three man delegation is sent by Percival to Yamashita’s headquarters at the Ford Motor Factory but Yamashita refuses to see them without Percival present. At 1715 hours Percival arrives ( top right) with two staff officers,
Cyril Wild on the left. threw the white flag to the ground as he did not believe Percival should surrender. A Japanese soldier picked it up and carried it.
After shaking Yamashita’s hand, they then sit opposite each other at the surrender table.
Yamashita:
‘Do you wish to surrender unconditionally ?’
Percival:
‘Yes we do.’
Yamashita:
‘Have you any Japanese prisoners of war ?’
Percival:
‘None at all.’
Yamashita:
‘Have you any Japanese civilians ?’
Percival:
‘No, they have all been sent to India.’
Yamashita:
‘Very well. Will you please sign this document of surrender ?’
Percival started to read the document and asked Yamashita to wait till morning. Yamishita knew time was not on his side and demanded immediate surrender and Percival signed.
Killed in Action
Death Toll for 15th February 1942
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Australian:-
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198
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Indian:-
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3317
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United Kingdom:-
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868
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Total:-
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4383
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This high number of deaths in the Commonwealth War Grave Commission as ‘Killed in Action’ on the 15th February 1942 needs to be approached. It must be understood that many tried to escape in ships, rowing boats, canoes and any means possible and dying in the attempt. It was established after the surrender that many had gone missing in the days before and after the surrender and they have been added to the 15th February as the date of dying.
Trying to understand the very high Indian death toll is more difficult. The ‘Farrer Park Meeting’ was held on 17th February 1942, and Fujiwara and Mohan Singh addressed the 45,000 strong British-Indian PoWs in Malaya and Singapore. Major Fujiwara assured the PoWs that they would be treated as comrades as opposed to PoWs if they joined the Indian National Army. He also repeatedly assured the PoWs that if they complied with the Japanese forces, they would be provided with the support and resources to fight against the British forces and clinch independence for India. Those who opposed this recommendation could well be included in the high Indian death toll as the Japanese were relying heavily on Indian support in the Far East.
Death Roll for 15th February 1942
The combined deaths are split into Surname order:-
ABC DEF GHI JKL MNO
PQR STU VW XYZ
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