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Though outnumbered by the British defenders, the Japanese concentrated their forces and utilized combined arms skills learned in earlier campaigns to repeatedly flank and drive back the enemy. Utilizing light tanks and bicycles, the Japanese swiftly moved through the peninsula's jungles. Though reinforced, Lieutenant General Arthur Percival's command was unable to halt the Japanese and on January 31 withdrew from the peninsula to the island of Singapore. Destroying the causeway between the island and Johore, he prepared to repel the anticipated Japanese landings. Considered a bastion of British strength in the Far Eastit was anticipated that Singapore could hold or at least offer protracted resistance to A History of the First World War Japanese. To defend Singapore, Percival deployed three brigades of Major General Gordon Bennett's 8th Australian division to hold the western part of the island. Advancing to Johore, Yamashita established his headquarters at the Sultan of Johore's palace. Though a prominent target, he correctly anticipated that the British would not attack it for fear of angering the sultan. Utilizing aerial reconnaissance and intelligence gathered from agents that infiltrated the island, he began to form a clear picture of Percival's defensive positions. On February 3, Japanese artillery began hammering targets on Singapore and air attacks against the garrison intensified. British guns, including the city's heavy coastal guns, responded but in the latter case, their armor-piercing rounds proved largely ineffective. On February 8, the first Japanese landings began on Singapore's northwest coast. Elements of the Japanese 5th and 18th Divisions came ashore at Sarimbun Beach and met fierce resistance from Australian troops. By midnight, they had overwhelmed the Australians and forced them to retreat. Believing that future Japanese landings would come in the northeast, Percival elected not to reinforce the battered Australians. Widening the battle, Yamashita conducted A History of the First World War in the southwest on February 9. Encountering the 44th Indian Brigade, the Japanese were able to drive them back. Retreating east, Bennett formed a defensive line just east of Tengah airfield at Belem. To the north, Brigadier Duncan Maxwell's 27th Australian Brigade inflicted heavy losses on Japanese forces as they attempted to land A History of the First World War of the causeway. Maintaining control of the situation, they held the enemy to a small beachhead. Unable to communicate with the Australian 22nd Brigade on his left and concerned about encirclement, Maxwell ordered his troops to fall back from their defensive positions on the coast. This withdrawal allowed the Japanese to begin landing armored units on the island. Pressing south, they outflanked Bennett's "Jurong Line" and pushed towards the city. Aware of the deteriorating A History of the First World War, but knowing that the defenders outnumbered the attackers, Prime Minister Winston Churchill cabled General Archibald Wavell, Commander-in- Chief, India, that Singapore was to hold out at all costs and should not surrender. This message was forwarded to Percival with orders that the latter should fight to the end. On February 11, Japanese forces captured the area around Bukit Timah as well as much of Percival's ammunition and fuel reserves. The area also gave Yamashita control of the bulk of the island's water supply. Though his campaign had been successful to date, the Japanese commander was desperately short of supplies and sought to bluff Percival into ending "this meaningless and desperate resistance. Slowly being pushed back on February 13, Percival was asked by his senior officers about surrendering. Rebuffing their request, he continued the fight. The next day, Japanese troops secured Alexandra Hospital and massacred around patients and staff. Early on the morning of February 15, the Japanese succeeded in breaking through Percival's lines. This coupled with the exhaustion of the garrison's anti-aircraft ammunition led Percival to meet with his commanders at Fort Canning. During the meeting, Percival proposed two options: an immediate strike at Bukit Timah to regain the supplies and water or surrendering. Informed by his senior officers that no counterattack was possible, Percival saw little choice other than surrender. Dispatching a messenger to Yamashita, Percival met with the Japanese commander at the Ford Motor Factory later that day to discuss A History of the First World War. The formal surrender was completed shortly after that evening. The worst defeat in the history of British arms, the Battle of Singapore and the preceding Malayan Campaign saw Percival's command suffer around 7, killed, 10, wounded, andcaptured. Japanese losses in the fighting for Singapore numbered around 1, killed and 2, wounded. While some of the British and Australian prisoners were kept at Singapore, thousands more were shipped to Southeast Asia for use as forced labor on projects such as the Siam—Burma Death Railway and Sandakan airfield in North Borneo. Singapore would remain under Japanese occupation for the remainder of the war. During this period, the Japanese massacred elements of the city's Chinese population as well as others who opposed their rule. Immediately after the surrender, Bennett turned over command of the 8th Division and escaped to Sumatra with several of his staff officers. Successfully reaching Australia, he was initially regarded as a hero but was later criticized for leaving his men. Though blamed for the disaster at Singapore, Percival's command was badly A History of the First World War for the duration of the campaign A History of the First World War lacked both tanks and sufficient aircraft to achieve victory on the Malay Peninsula. That being said, his dispositions prior to the battle, his unwillingness to fortify Johore or the north shore of Singapore, and command errors during the fighting accelerated the British defeat. Remaining a prisoner until the end of the war, Percival was present at A History of the First World War Japanese surrender in September Share Flipboard Email. Kennedy Hickman. Military and Naval History Expert. Kennedy Hickman is a historian, museum director, and curator who specializes in military and naval history. He has appeared on The History Channel as a featured expert. Facebook Facebook. Updated March 27, ThoughtCo uses A History of the First World War to provide you with a great user experience. By using ThoughtCo, you accept our. 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Could "super soldier" upgrades turn U. What if the U. Public health officials are trying to find a common thread among the four cases identified so far in Colorado. A bonafide badass leatherneck, with the scars to prove it. Here are The worldwide pandemic actually killed more healthy adults than it did children or elderly people -- and it stumped Sam Mendes quit his gig as director of the James Bond movies to make "," and his bet seems to be paying off. Marines will be seeing more of the red patches after the service reactivated 2nd Landing Support Battalion. The Marine Corps is also adding a new podcast to the list, which will come out at least every two weeks. David Berger. World War I. Here's everything you need to know. How '' Taught a New Generation to Care About World War I "" is one of those rare movies whose impact seems to A History of the First World War coming in waves long after you first see it. My Profile News Home Page. Most Popular Military News. Here's Why A History of the First World War will be seeing more of the red patches after the service reactivated 2nd Landing Support Battalion. The History of World War II's Battle of Singapore

Historical Events Historical Figures History vs. It's been called one of American's biggest foreign policy failures. But why was it such a disaster? Let's count the ways. About 25 symbols in the Egyptian hieroglyphic "alphabet" denote specific sounds. But very few words were written purely alphabetically. Seven might seem like the no-brainer answer if you grew up in the U. But it may surprise you to know that experts around the world disagree on how many continents are out there. Here's why. Fourteen countries and 39 million square miles A History of the First World War up Oceania in the South Pacific. Known for its natural beauty and cannibalistic past, this region also invented bungee jumping. Although Zionism draws its name from the biblical Mount Zion, it is primarily a secular, rather than religious movement. So, what does it mean, and why do some people find it controversial? Movies like '' have popularized the image of ancient Spartans as brutal super-warriors. But that's only part of the story: They had a softer side, too, for dancing and crafts. And their women had an unusual amount of freedom. The KGB, the Soviet Union's vast secret police and espionage apparatus, technically was dismantled decades ago. But it still actually exists under a new name. Here are some things you may not know about this amazing Mayan wonder. For years, the Ottoman Empire covered a territory stretching across huge swaths of Europe and the Middle East, until it all came down after World War I. What hastened its demise? Slavery followed indigo, a cash A History of the First World War from which blue dye was made, around the world, until it was replaced by synthetic substitutes in the early 20th century. Mongolia is a country struggling to maintain its nomadic ways while stepping boldly into the modern 21st century world. Millions of people around the world have no country they can call their own. Sometimes they're not allowed to have a birth certificate, go to school or work. What are some of the biggest groups in this category? Before World War II, a third of the world's population lived a territory controlled by a colonial power. How did this A History of the First World War and how did it end? You may know the story of how Fletcher Christian and A History of the First World War men mutinied aboard the ship the Bounty. But what was the voyage all about in the first place? How has it survived so long and how worried should Americans be about a nuclear attack? The origins of the Dead Sea Scrolls have baffled scholars since their discovery in Who wrote A History of the First World War ancient texts and what do they mean about the history of Judaism? The Israeli settlements have been a source of controversy for decades, with the Israel government insisting they are legal while much of the rest of the world says they are not. We look at both sides of the story. It takes more than frustration with the government and endless optimism to make your new country's independence stick. Linguistic and cultural clues have long suggested Madagascar's prehistoric human settlers came from Southeast Asia, but now scientists have found physical proof. Controversies surround not just the possible existence of hidden chambers, but even the ability of Egyptologists to undertake the search for them. In the midth century, STDS were a big problem, and penicillin was a potential solution. In an experiment gone badly awry, U. Beer may be one of the most humble of alcoholic beverages, but its history is no less noble -- or muddled -- than wine or liquor. World History. HowStuffWorks looks at the history and culture of places from all over the world. How Did Constantinople Become Istanbul? Capitalize This! The State Capitals Quiz. Japanese Kamikazes: Heroic or Horrifying? Learn More. Deciphering the History, Symbols and Sounds of Egyptian Hieroglyphics About 25 symbols in the Egyptian hieroglyphic "alphabet" denote specific sounds. How Many Continents Are There? What Does Zionism Really Mean? By Patrick J. The Dark History of Indigo, Slavery's Other Cash Crop Slavery followed indigo, a cash crop from A History of the First World War blue dye was made, around the world, until it was replaced by synthetic substitutes in the early 20th century. Ridiculous History: Breadfruit, the Bounty and the Birth of Globalization You may know the story of how Fletcher Christian and his men mutinied aboard A History of the First World War ship the Bounty. If the past is any indication, it might. By Laurie L. How Israeli Settlements Work The Israeli settlements have been a source of controversy for decades, with the Israel government insisting they are legal while much of the rest of the world says they are not. Mysterious First Settlers of Madagascar Identified by Ancient Seeds Linguistic and cultural clues have long suggested Madagascar's prehistoric human settlers came from Southeast Asia, but now scientists have found physical proof. It's Not That Simple Controversies surround not just the possible existence of hidden chambers, but even the ability of Egyptologists to undertake the search for them.