The Battle for Singapore (1 February 1942 to 13 February 1942)

My family and I were hiding ourselves in the town centre because Japanese successfully landed on Singapore on 8 February 1942.

Do you all wonder how Japanese successfully invaded Singapore??

Below is the chain of event I heard from a reporter, a friend of my father:

·         The Johor Sultan’s palace. General Yamashita set up headquarters at the Johor Sultan’s palace, thus getting a bird’s eye view of northern Singapore. He knew that the Britain would not attack the palace. Although the tower was an easy target for the British. Yamashita was confident that the British would not fire at the home of their old friend, Sultan Ibrahim and he was right.



Yamashita in 1941, his nickname is ‘Tiger of Malaya’

 ·         The Japanese Trick. The Japanese bombed Changi and Pulau Ubin. As a result, the British moved their defences from the northwest to the northeast of Singapore.

·         Landings from the northwest. On 8 February, the Japanese troops crossed the Johor Straits using rubber boats and rafts. They headed towards the northwestern part of Singapore.



The Japanese landings on Singapore Island

 ·         Order for withdrawal. The Japanese repaired the Causeway in preparation for an invasion. General Percival ordered his troops to withdraw if necessary to protect the town centre. The troops misunderstood his intentions and withdrew even before the Japanese arrived!

·         The Battle at Bukit Timah Hill. In the battle at Bukit Timah Hill on 11 February 1942, the Japanese took control of a reservoir and supplies left by the British.

Japanese soldiers in Bukit Timah

 

Japanese troops assaulting Bukit Timah hill, under Allied fire

 ·         Fall of Pasir Panjang. On 13 February 1942, fierce fighting broke out at Pasir Panjang and both sides suffered heavy casualties. Most of Percival’s commanders reported to him that their troops were demoralized and exhausted.

 

Citation:

Books:
1. Curriculum Planning & Development Division MOE, Singapore. (2012). Singapore From Settlement To Nation Pre-1819 To 1971 (2nd Edition). Singapore. Marshall Cavendish Education.

Website:
1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Yamashita
      2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Singapore
      3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Bukit_Timah
      4. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Pasir_Panjang