Hari Ini Dalam Sejarah : Battle of Singapore Feb 8th - 15th 1942

Fall of Singapore

Exactly 76 years ago today, the Battle of Singapore began between the invading Japanese Army and the British Empire.  After landing in Singora (south Thailand) and Kota Bharu on Dec 7th-8th 1941, the Japanese Imperial forces had made lightning advances straight down the Malay Peninsula. In a lightning campaign lasting just 63 days, they were already on the shores of the Tebrau Straits and launching their attack on Singapore. 

The actual fight for Singapore lasted seven days from 8th Feb to 15th Feb 1942. Singapore surrendered unconditionally on 15th February, 1942.

At 09:30 (15th Feb), Percival held a conference at Fort Canning with his senior commanders. Percival opted for surrender. 

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 toward 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 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.

Percival formally surrendered shortly after 5:15pm. 

Singapore in early February 1942. 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. 

Under the terms of the surrender hostilities were to cease at 20:30 that evening, all military forces in Singapore were to surrender unconditionally, all Allied forces would remain in position and disarm themselves within an hour, and the British were allowed to maintain a force of 1,000 armed men to prevent looting until relieved by the Japanese. In addition, Yamashita also accepted full responsibility for the lives of the civilians in the city.