Before the Japanese occupation ...

General Percival: Let’s use the ‘Main Fleet to Singapore’s strategy

British soldier: Do you mean that Britain would send ships from Europe if there is trouble in Asia?

General Percival: To maintain the fleet, a huge naval base had to be built in the Far East.

General Percival: Furthermore, we need to install 15-inch guns, usually mounted on ships to defend the naval base in Singapore. Military airfields have to be built in Tengah and Sembawang. Underground bunkers have to be built in several places like Fort Canning, Labrador and Sembawang..

British soldier: Yes, sir. I will inform them to start work now!

With the efforts made by the British to defend Singapore, Singapore has become so strong or inaccessible that it cannot be broken into or captured. Singapore was then known as the “impregnable” fortress of the British Empire in the East.

Hence, Japan therefore proceeded to invade China. To safeguard against Japan’s attack on China, the United States of America (USA) therefore cut off their oil supply to Japan to save China. This has resulted in Japan setting their sights on Southeast Asia which was rich in oil and other raw materials.

During the Japanese occupation ...

In September 1939, a war broke out in Europe.

General Yamashita: We want to be the master of Southeast Asia and the Pacific region while Germany wants to be the master of Europe! We must conquer Southeast Asia!

In September 1940, Japan signed a treaty of friendship with Germany and Italy, calling themselves as Axis Powers.

Before the Japanese invasion…

General Percival: The tanks are not suitable for jungle warfare.

British soldier: Sir, are you sure?

General Percival: Yes!

British soldier: The tanks are able to move at a fast speed.

General Percival : However, it can’t move at a fast speed in the jungle.

General Percival : How about the soldiers that we have sent for war?

British Soldier: We have sent many young soldiers for war.

General Percival: Our soldiers are well-trained and I am sure they are able to defeat the Japanese. We will concentrate with the war in Europe for the time-being.

General Yamashita: Let’s prove to them that they are inferior to us.

During the Japanese invasion…

Japan began to attack Singapore on 11 December 1941

General Yamashita: The time has come…

In 1941, more Indian, British and Australian troops arrived in Singapore to defend Malaya and Singapore for a possible Japanese attack.

General Percival: Get ready! We will have to set off to Malaya and Singapore to defend a possible Japanese attack!

On 2 December 1941, the battleships known as HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse arrived in Singapore but the British could not send more naval and air reinforcements because they are having a war in Europe and North Africa.

On 7 December 1941...

General Yamashita: We will attack Pearl Habour in Hawaii to destroy the American Pacific fleet to aid in our invasion of Southeast Asia. At the same time, we will begin our attacks on Malaya and other ports of Southeast Asia by air, sea and land.

Japanese soldier: Yes, sir!

General Yamashita: Are you ready?

Japanese soldier: Of course!

On 10 December 1941, HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse were sunk off the coast of Kuantan.

General Yamashita: Before the war, we have received information from Malaya and Singapore about British defence and readiness and we have planned how to defeat the British. Haha! We will definitely win the war!

General Percival: We have underestimated the Japanese. We believed that they were inferior to us but they proved us wrong.

General Yamashita: Haha! We have a large modern airforce and naval fleet unlike the British! We are also better trained in jungle warfare. We are going to conquer Singapore soon! HAHAHA!

General Yamashita: I set up a headquarters at Johor Sultan's palace to get a bird's eye view of Singapore. Although the tower will be an easy target but I'm very sure that the British will not attack the home of their old friend. What a smart idea I've got!

British soldier: During the fight, we have misunderstood General Percival’s intention and have withdrawn even before the Japanese arrive. We're deadbeat and extremely exhausted from fighting and retreating.

On 15 February 1942, the British had a final conference at the Fort Canning bunker.

General Percival: More men will be killed if they are engaged with the Japanese in street fighting. Our supplies of food and water are also running out..

After a while of brainstorming on ideas to defeat the Japanese...

General Percival: Alright, I've decided! In order to prevent further bloodshed, we will opted for surrender. We've got no other better choice.

At the negotiating table, General Percival met General Yamashita for the first time. The British gave in and surrendered to the Japanese.

General Yamashita: I want to hear whether you want to surrender or not. If you want to surrender, I will insist if to be unconditional. What is your answer? Yes or no?

General Percival: Will you give me until tomorrow morning to consider?

General Yamashita: Tomorrow? I cannot wait and the Japanese forces will have to attack tonight.

General Percival: How about waiting until 11.30pm (Tokyo time)?

General Yamashita: If that is the case, the Japanese forces will have to resume our attack till 11.30pm. What is your answer?

General Percival: (silence)

General Yamashita: I want to hear a decisive answer and I insisted on an unconditional surrender. What do you say?

General Percival: Yes.

General Yamashita: Alright then. The order to cease fire must be issued exactly at 10pm. I will immediately send one thousand troops into the city area to maintain peace and order. Do you agree to that?

General Percival: Yes.

General Yamashita: If you violate these terms, the Japanese will not hesitate to launch a general and final offensive against Singapore City.

General Percival signed the surrender agreement.

During the Japanese occupation……

Life was harsh under the Japanese rule and screams of torture could be heard.

Victim 1: I was forced to learn Japanese but I was relunctant to learn.

Victim 2: I prefer the life before Japanese occupation.

Victim 2: Everything was in Japanese and I do not understand the language.

Victim 1: Being a Chinese, life was a torture with lots of hardship.

Victim 2: I have been tortured practically everyday. I hope that the Japanese will treat us better.

Japanese soldier: Are u guys complaining and cursing behind our back?

Victim 1: No! We have always treated the Japanese with due respect.

On August 1945, World war 2 ended after the bombing of two Japan cities (Nagasaki and Hiroshima). General Yamashita decided to surrender to reduce the number of casualties.

General Yamashita: I decided to surrender.

General Percival: What a wise decision!