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==Japanese invasion==

==Japanese invasion==

Japan’s 25th Army invaded Malaya coming from Indochina moving northwards towards Thailand. This invasion was done simultaneously with the attack on Pearl Harbor in an effort to try and stop the US Navy from interfering in Southeast Asia. The Japanese government had persuaded the Thai government to let them use Thai military bases for defense against invasion from the southeast by the Allied nations.

Japan's 25th Army invaded Malaya coming from Indochina moving northwards towards Thailand. This invasion was done simultaneously with the attack on Pearl Harbor in an effort to try and stop the US Navy from interfering in Southeast Asia. The Japanese government had persuaded the Thai government to let them use Thai military bases for defense against invasion from the southeast by the Allied nations.

The Japanese 25th Army faced resistance in north Malaya from the British officered 3rd Indian Corps. Although the Japanese were outnumbered they consolidated their forces and were far superior in air support and war techniques. The British constantly allowed the Japanese army to outflank them as they believed that the Malayan jungle was impossible to pass. The Japanese made good use of bicycles and light tanks which made it possible for rapid movements in the jungle.

The Japanese 25th Army faced resistance in north Malaya from the British officered 3rd Indian Corps. Although the Japanese were outnumbered they consolidated their forces and were far superior in air support and war techniques. The British constantly allowed the Japanese army to outflank them as they believed that the Malayan jungle was impossible to pass. The Japanese made good use of bicycles and light tanks which made it possible for rapid movements in the jungle.

The Australian defenders were battle-weary, having lost nearly 700 men fighting in Malaya since 14 January, with hundreds of others wounded or sick.   

The Australian defenders were battle-weary, having lost nearly 700 men fighting in Malaya since 14 January, with hundreds of others wounded or sick.   

On 5 February 1942, down to 18 tanks and lacking ammunition and food, a small force commanded by Lieutenant General [[Tomoyuki Yamashita]] attacked the island of Pulau Ubin off Singapore’s northeast coast. This diversion deceived General Percival, commander of the forces in Singapore, who moved his major ammunitions stores to the east. The main Japanese attack came later from the northwest.

On 5 February 1942, down to 18 tanks and lacking ammunition and food, a small force commanded by Lieutenant General [[Tomoyuki Yamashita]] attacked the island of Pulau Ubin off Singapore's northeast coast. This diversion deceived General Percival, commander of the forces in Singapore, who moved his major ammunitions stores to the east. The main Japanese attack came later from the northwest.

On 8 February, the actual attack on Singapore started with the landing of troops on the northwest coast. Australian troops fought well initially, inflicting heavy casualties on the invaders. However, the Australian defenders retreated unnecessarily amidst the confusion of battle, allowing the Japanese to establish a beachhead.<ref>"During the night of 8 February after a fifteen-hour artillery bombardment the Japanese landed on the western shores of Singapore island. The sector was guarded by Australian troops, but most deserted their posts and refused orders to stand firm." The Second World War: Ambitions to Nemesis, Bradley Lightbody, p. 132, Psychology Press, 2004</ref> Subsequent landings by the Japanese were unopposed. The military situation for the British and Indian defenders under Lieutenant-General [[Arthur Percival]] worsened.

On 8 February, the actual attack on Singapore started with the landing of troops on the northwest coast. Australian troops fought well initially, inflicting heavy casualties on the invaders. However, the Australian defenders retreated unnecessarily amidst the confusion of battle, allowing the Japanese to establish a beachhead.<ref>"During the night of 8 February after a fifteen-hour artillery bombardment the Japanese landed on the western shores of Singapore island. The sector was guarded by Australian troops, but most deserted their posts and refused orders to stand firm." The Second World War: Ambitions to Nemesis, Bradley Lightbody, p. 132, Psychology Press, 2004</ref> Subsequent landings by the Japanese were unopposed. The military situation for the British and Indian defenders under Lieutenant-General [[Arthur Percival]] worsened.

The Indian revolutionary leader [[Rash Behari Bose]] formed the [[Indian National Army]] (INA) with the help of the Japanese, who were highly successful in recruiting 20,000 Indian soldiers taken prisoner.<ref>[http://www.nlb.gov.sg/resourceguides/indian-national-army-ina/ Indian National Army (INA)]</ref>

The Indian revolutionary leader [[Rash Behari Bose]] formed the [[Indian National Army]] (INA) with the help of the Japanese, who were highly successful in recruiting 20,000 Indian soldiers taken prisoner.<ref>[http://www.nlb.gov.sg/resourceguides/indian-national-army-ina/ Indian National Army (INA)]</ref>

Lord Moran, Churchill’s physician, wrote: ''"The fall of Singapore on February 15 stupefied the Prime Minister."'' In particular, the surrender of the British and Australian troops bewildered him. ''"How come 100,000 men (half of them of our own race) were to hold up their hands to inferior numbers of Japanese?"'', wrote Moran. Though Churchill had been gradually prepared for its fall, the surrender of the British fortress stunned him, according to Moran. ''"He felt it was a disgrace. It left a scar on his mind. One evening, months later, when he was sitting in his bathroom enveloped in a towel, he stopped drying himself and gloomily surveyed the floor: ‘I cannot get over Singapore,’ he said sadly."''

Lord Moran, Churchill's physician, wrote: ''"The fall of Singapore on February 15 stupefied the Prime Minister."'' In particular, the surrender of the British and Australian troops bewildered him. ''"How come 100,000 men (half of them of our own race) were to hold up their hands to inferior numbers of Japanese?"'', wrote Moran. Though Churchill had been gradually prepared for its fall, the surrender of the British fortress stunned him, according to Moran. ''"He felt it was a disgrace. It left a scar on his mind. One evening, months later, when he was sitting in his bathroom enveloped in a towel, he stopped drying himself and gloomily surveyed the floor: ‘I cannot get over Singapore,’ he said sadly."''

Military historians consider the capture of the Malayan Peninsula and Singapore among the Japanese Army’s greatest military victories. The capture of the Singapore fortress shocked the British public and changed the view of people in the British colonies that Britain was not invincible, as they previously thought. Hence, calls for independence were made everywhere after the war with the backing of the former British colony, the United States. The fall of Singapore marked the beginning of the end of the British Empire.

Military historians consider the capture of the Malayan Peninsula and Singapore among the Japanese Army's greatest military victories. The capture of the Singapore fortress shocked the British public and changed the view of people in the British colonies that Britain was not invincible, as they previously thought. Hence, calls for independence were made everywhere after the war with the backing of the former British colony, the United States. The fall of Singapore marked the beginning of the end of the British Empire.

== Notes ==

== Notes ==