The British command in Singapore was not indeed surprised by the Japanese invasion, but expected it much further north (on the narrow land bridge Kra Isthmus), and therefore assumed that the advance to the south will take to the Japanese much longer. Landings near Singora, Patani and Kota Baharu closed the distance between Kra and Singapore to half, thus destroyed the British time dispositions. (Ivan Hrbek, Jaroslav Hrbek - Krvav oce醤y, Na歟 vojsko 1994)
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Article on English Wikipedia (1)
Article on English Wikipedia (2)| Scenario in dates: |
| July 25, 1940: |
From Washington - The United States prohibits the export of oil and metal products in certain categories, unless under license, to countries outside the Americas generally and to Britain. This move is seen as an anti-Japanese measure, particularly because of Japan磗 needs for foreign oil. From this time Japanese fuel stocks begin to decline. There are similar problems with other raw materials. Japanese attention is, therefore, drawn south from China to the resources of the Netherlands East Indies and Malaya. |
| November 14, 1940: |
In Singapore - The prospective (from November 18) British Commander in Chief for the Far East, Air Marshal Brooke-Popham arrives. |
| March 13, 1941: |
Britain - Captain Henry Charles Biard, military expert of the British Royal Air Force and WW1 veteran, says "the Japanese have not one single home-built war plane that could stand up for three minutes to a frontline equivalent from the United States, Britain, Germany - no, not even Italy or Russia!" |
| July 28, 1941: |
In French Indochina - Japanese forces begin to occupy bases in southern Indochina. It is clear that the main use for such bases would be in an invasion of Malaya, the East Indies or the Philippines. |
| October 2, 1941: |
Scotland - In the shipyards in Clydebank, the keel of the battleship HMS Vanguard is laid. After the disaster of Force Z at the end of the year, however, there will be major changes to the original design and subsequent delays in the construction, which will result in the post-war operation as the largest and last built Royal Navy battleship (and in its category in the world already followed only by French Jean Bart in 1955). |
| October 25, 1941: |
Britain - The British battleship Prince of Wales, carrying Admiral Phillips sails for the Far East. The admiral is to take command of the new British Far East Fleet to be created around the Prince of Wales. |
| November 3, 1941: |
Jamaica - British aircraft carrier HMS Indomitable runs aground on a coral reef unhappily. The repairs will require a delay that will preventher from reaching Southeast Asia in time to provide air cover for Force Z, a naval force sent to deter the Japanese from attacking Singapore. |
| November 1, 1941: |
In Malaya - British authorities declare a "State of Emergency" following reports of a pending Japanese attack. |
| December 2, 1941: |
In the East Indies - The British battleship HMS Prince of Wales and the battle cruiser HMS Repulse arrive in Singapore. They arrive to late to have the planned deterrent effect but the Japanese do note the British naval presence. |
| December 4, 1941: |
In the South China Sea - The Japanese landing force sails from Hainan bound for Malaya. |
| 6. prosince 1941: |
Malaya - the reonnaisance aircraft Catalina flying boat of No. 205 Squadron RAF searching Japanese warships is shot down by five Nakajima Ki-27 fighters before it could radio its report to air headquarters in Singapore. Flying Officer Patrick Bedell, commanding the Catalina, and his seven crew members became the first Allied casualties in the war with Japan. |
| December 8, 1941: |
In Malaya - Japanese troops (18th Division) begin landings at Kota Bharu protected by two battleships and six heavy cruisers under the command of Admiral Kondo. The following morning, troops (5th Division) as well as tank units are landed at Singor and Patini in Thailand. The British defenders under command of General Percival, have 3 divisions in Malaya but almost no tanks. Only one division is not committed to static defensive positions around air fields and possible landing sites. Of the 158 RAF planes, most are destroyed on the ground and the airfield at Kota Bharu is captured intact by the Japanese. |
| December 8, 1941: |
In Singapore - The British battleship HMS Prince of Wales, the battle cruiser HMS Repulse and four destroyers sail from Singapore to aid in the fighting in Malaya. |
| December 8, 1941: |
In Thailand - Fears of offending American public opinion by violating Thailand磗 neutrality have prevented the British from preparing defenses in Thailand and difficulties with Thai border guards prevent a quick response to the Japanese landings further north. |
| December 9, 1941: |
In the South China Sea - The British battleship HMS Prince of Wales and the battle cruiser HMS Repulse, on their way to Japanese landing sites in Malaya, are spotted by Japanese submarines. The ships continue until sighted by Japanese aircraft and then turn back. |
| December 9, 1941: |
In Malaya - Japanese troops continue to land at Kota Bharu, Singora and Patani. Japanese forces occupy Bangkok. The Japanese army occupies Bangkok. Butterworth airfield is being attacked by Japanese aircraft when the British force is preparing to take off, with only one Blenheim, piloted by Squadron Leader Arthur Scarf of 62 Squadron getting away, carrying out a single-handed attack on Singora. His Blenheim is heavily damaged by Japanese fighters and anti-aircraft fire, badly injuring Scarf. Despite his injuries, he manages to make a forced landing at Alor Star, saving the rest of his crew. The same evening, however, he succumbs to his injuries at a local hospital, even though his young wife Elizabeth, who works there as a nurse, gives him a transfusion of her own blood. Scarf will be eventually posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions this day. |
| December 9, 1941: |
Britain - the American volunteer pilots from No.71 (Eagle) Squadron RAF decide they want to go to Singapore to fight the Japanese and a proposal is put to RAF Fighter Command, but it is turned down. |
| December 10, 1941: |
In Thailand - The British advance from Malaya, to meet the Japanese, reaches "The Ledge" to find that the Japanese have secured the area first. The British are forced back. |
| December 10, 1941: |
In the South China Sea - Admiral Phillips, commanding the British ships, HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse receives information of a Japanese landing at Kuantan and alters course to reach it, believing that air support from Singapore will join them. The ships position is discovered and reported by a Japanese. The report of the landing proves to be false, no air support is sent and Japanese aircraft find and attack the battleships. Approximately 90 planes are involved in the attack and both ships are sunk within two hours. There is no longer an active Allied battleship in the entire theater. |
| December 10, 1941: |
In Malaya - A traitor, British Captain Patrick Heenan, is arrested at Alor Setar Airfield. He is caught in the act while guiding Japanese planes by radio during a raid. The prisoner is sent to Singapore. Just before the surrender of Singapore, he will be killed by his wardens. |
| December 11, 1941: |
In Malaya - The 11th Indian Division at Jitra is attacked by advancing Japanese units from Singora. |
| December 11, 1941: |
Thailand (Siam) - After brief fights between Thai troops and the Japanese, Thailand surrenders. In addition, the Treaty of Peace and Mutual Assistance, signed by Siamese Prime Minister Pibul Songgramen and Japanese Ambassador Cubogami, Thailand joins the Pact of Three. |
| December 12, 1941: |
In Malaya - Jitra is abandoned by the 11th Indian Division to advancing Japanese forces. |
| December 13, 1941: |
In Burma - British abandon their airfield at Victoria Point on the Kra Isthmus. Japanese occupy it. |
| December 14, 1941: |
In Malaya - Japanese forces continue advances from "The Ledge" to Kroh. |
| December 15, 1941: |
In Malaya - British forces retreat to Gurun and suffer heavy losses defending against the Japanese attack. Gurun however, holds. |
| December 16, 1941: |
In Malaya - The second wave of Japanese invasions as the 5th and 18th divisions will are brought to full strength. British forces withdraw from Penang on the west coast. |
| December 17, 1944: |
In Malaya - The British withdraw from Gurun. Japanese begin landing the Imperial Guard Division. |
| December 28, 1941: |
In Malaya - British forces are retreating in the wake of the Japan advance to Ipoh. |
| December 30, 1941: |
In Malaya - The Japanese advance continues, they have reached near Kampar in the west and Kuantan in the east. |
| January 2, 1942: |
In Malaya - Continued Japanese advances force the British and Commonwealth forces to retreat southward. The 15th Indian Brigade is forced back from Kampar. |
| January 3, 1942: |
From Washington - By the authority of the Arcadia Conference, Chiang Kai-shek is named Commander in Chief of Allied Forces in China. General Wavell is appointed to the newly establish American-British-Dutch-Australian Command (ABDA). Wavell磗 task is to hold the Malay Barrier, the line from Malaya through the Dutch East Indies to Borneo against the Japanese. |
| January 4, 1942: |
In Malaya - The 11th Indian division prepares to stand at the River Slim but is suffering losses from heavy Japanese air attacks, as the new Japanese air bases in Thailand become operational. |
| January 6, 1942: |
In Malaya - Japanese tanks and infantry attack the positions of the 11th Indian Division around Trolak and Kampong Slim. The two brigades most heavily engaged emerge at about 20 per cent of their original strength. |
| January 8, 1942: |
In Malaya - A third wave of Japanese troops lands under heavy air and naval protection. |
| January 8, 1942: |
In Singapore - Visiting General Wavell, orders the Allied forces to withdraw to beyond the Muar River and prepare defenses there. |
| January 12, 1942: |
In Malaya - Japanese troop enter Kuala Lumpur. |
| January 15, 1942: |
In Malaya - Japanese troops are now south of Malacca. The Japanese 5th Division engages Australian troops at Batu Anam in heavy fighting. Japanese Imperial Guard troops breach the coastal section of the Allied area fighting against the 45th Indian Brigade. |
| January 16, 1942: |
In Malaya - Fighting on the river Muar continues with Japanese making gains against the British and Commonwealth troops. |
| January 21, 1942: |
In Malaya - the Allied forces begin a retreat south of the Muar River. They have taken heavy losses. The 45th and 15th Brigades have been almost wiped out in the fighting. Japanese air raids on Singapore increase in intensity, as the few British Hurricane fighters are outmatched by Japanese Zeros. |
| January 25, 1942: |
In Malaya - British and Allied troops abandon the last defensive position near the Muar River. General Wavell authorizes General Percival to retreat to Singapore. |
| January 26, 1942: |
Malaya - A total of 24 old Vickers Type 267 Vildebeest Mk.IIIs from the 36th and 100th RAF Squadrons attack Japanese invasion forces landing near the town of Endau on the east coast of the Malay Peninsula. |
| January 27, 1942: |
In Malaya - The British carrier Indomitable brings a cargo of 48 Hurricanes to Java, from here they be sent to augment the defenses at Singapore. The 22nd Indian Brigade is isolated by the fighting near Layang Layang, south of Kluang. |
| January 31, 1942: |
In Malaya - The remainder of the British and Australian troops are removed from the Malayan mainland to Singapore. |
| February 1, 1942: |
Dutch East Indies - Due to the rapid advance of the Japanese in Malaya, Air Commodore Stanley Vincent establishes the headquarters of the newly formed 226th Fighter Group in Palembang, Sumatra, consisting of units evacuated from Singapore and reinforcements from Britain. Vincent is the only RAF pilot to shoot down enemy aircraft in both world wars, but even under his leadership, Hurricanes and Buffalos will not hold back the Japanese rush, and this engagement will end in an evacuation to Australia. |
| February 4, 1942: |
In Malaya - Japan demands the surrender of Singapore. British authorities there refuse. General Wavell continues to bring in reinforcements despite the overwhelming odds against success in battle against the Japanese. Wavell wants the island to hold while Allied forces elsewhere in the East Indies are being strengthened. |
| February 5, 1942: |
From Washington - The United States declares war on Thailand. |
| February 5, 1942: |
In the South China Sea - The British troop transport Empress of Asia (16,400 tons) is sunk by Japanese bombers off the coast of Singapore. It is a huge loss for the fortress defenders as it sinks to the bottom with the long-awaited delivery of tanks and weapons. Chinese conscript and volunteers will eventually go to fighting armed with only shotguns, machetes and knives - just everything that can be found improvised. |
| February 7, 1942: |
Singapore - General Percival, commanding the defence of Singapore, declares that the city will be held to the last man. |
| February 8, 1942: |
In Malaya - The Japanese invade Singapore after a day of air bombardment. Troops of the Japanese 5th, 18th and Imperial Guards Divisions land on the northwest of the island in the area defended by the 22nd Australian Brigade. The garrison at this point is almost 85,000 strong including support troops. The Japanese have successfully avoided the large guns at the fortress on Singapore as they were designed to defend against a direct sea borne attack. |
| February 10, 1942: |
In Malaya - Due to confusion, the Allied forces on Singapore Island facing Japanese attack withdraw farther than needed, abandoning strongholds along the Jurong Line. Fighting continues on the island. |
| February 11, 1942: |
In Sinapore - The Allied counterattack against the Japanese invaders fails with heavy losses. The Allies must retreat to their final perimeter around the city itself. |
| February 13, 1942: |
Singapore - A number of British evacuation vessels leave the besieged port, pursued by a Japanese air force determined to prevent a second Dunkirk. Imprisoned British captain and traitor Patrick Heenan is killed without trial by his guards. As Singapore磗 defenses collapsed, Heenan became very very cocky, taunting his guards that he would soon be free and they would be prisoners. The British military police took matters into their own hands. |
| February 13, 1942: |
Dutch East Indies - Japanese paratroopers land in Palembang, Sumatra. Admiral Ozawa approaches the island with a naval invasion force, crossing the path of Allied vessels fleeing Singapore. The light cruiser Yura with the destroyers Asagiri and Fubuki sink the gunboat HMS Scorpion. The Japanese aircrafts sinks a number of Allied ships including two Dutch tankers Manvantara and Merula. 80 kilometers northwest of Batavia, the Japanese submarine I-55 sinks the British transport ship Derrymore carrying ammunition supplies and airmen. Among the rescued is the future Prime Minister of Australia John Gorton. |
| February 14, 1942: |
In South China Sea - In Karimata Strait while evacuating australian nurses and wounded servicemen away from Singapore Royal Navy transport ship SS Vyner Brooke (ex royal yacht of Sarawak) was bombed by Japanese aircraft and sunk. Some of the survivors who reached Bangka Island east of Sumatra in the Dutch East Indies were massacred by the Imperial Japanese Army. |
| February 14, 1942: |
Singapore - During the Japanese advance to the city, a British (later Alexandria磗) hospital is on the front line. As retreating Indian sappers shoot at the Japanese from this building, Japanese soldiers of the 18th Division unleash a massacre after the conquest of the hospital, in which 200 patients and members of the nursing staff die, including a Czechoslovak volunteer in the British army, Ba漚 employee Silvestr N靘ec. Despite the traditional myth that it was an action ordered by General Yamashita - to resort to atrocities to show the British how he plans to deal with the defenders of the fort if they do not give up - the post-war investigation does not confirm that he knew about the action at the time, as well as the division commander General Mutaguchi. |
| February 15, 1942: |
In Malaya - The Allied defense perimeter is now a small area around the city of Singapore. Water and ammunition are in short supply. The Japanese control the water reservoir. British general Percival is forced to unconditionally surrender by Japanese General Yamashita. Japanese losses in the Malayan campaign have been 10,000. British and Allied losses 138,000. |
| February 14, 1942: |
In Dutch East Indies - on Bangka Island beach near Sumatra a group of survivors from the sunken ship Vyner Brooke evacuating staff from Singapore is being massacred by Japanese soldiers. These are the wounded British and Australian soldiers who have been shot or bayonetted and 22 Australian nurses who are commanded to go to the sea, where they are shot from behind from the beach by a machine gun. The only sister, Vivian Bullwinkel, survives with a shot in staying motionless on the surface and escapes to island after the soldiers after leaving. Eventually, she gets into the Japanese captivity that will survive the end of the war by concealing what she witnessed. |
| February 17, 1944: |
In Occupied Singapore - The Japanese authorities rename the island city Syonan (meaning "Light of the South"). |
| May 22, 1942: |
Burma - Above the Gulf of Bengal in his Ki-43 fighter plane is shot down by defensive fire attacked British bomber Blenheim famous commander of the Japanese 64th Sentai Tateo Kato. The most successful Japanese fighter unit, also nicknamed "Kato Sentai", led since the beginning of the war in the Pacific in the fighting for Malaya, Sumatra and Burma. Although he shot down at least 18 enemy aircraft and in his unit served many aces, he disallowed individual victory credits for the sake of teamwork. Even during the war about him and his unit will be filmed propagandist film Kato hayabusa sento-tai. |
| September 26, 1943: |
Singapore (occupied) - Operation Jaywick, British-Australian Commando penetrates the harbor at night on folding canoes and destroys 7 merchant ships in a classic demonstration of special forces action. On the Krait, originally a Japanese fishing boat Fukoku Maru not suspicious, everyone returns to Australia. |
| January 11, 1944: |
Malaya - Japanese light cruiser Kuma is sunk near Penang by the British submarine HMS Tally-Ho. Paradoxically, the cruiser is returning from the anti-submarine warfare exercises. |
| March 9, 1944: |
Japan - war movie Kato Hayabusa sento-tai is released, featuring the 64th Sentai, the most successful JAAF fighter wing in World War II with the largest number of fighter aces in its ranks and nicknamed after the famous commander Tatea Kato "Kato Sentai". The film describes the winning struggles of the unit in Malaya, Sumatra and Burma at the beginning of the Pacific War, when on their machines Ki-43 Hajabusa (Falcon in English, in the allied code designation Oscar) clashed with AVG, ie Flying Tigers. The film is full of hilarious tricks and beautiful shots of flying warbirds. The musical theme is the captivating accompaniment and song "Kato Hayabusa Sento Tai no Uta". |
| June 29, 1944: |
Malaya - In Batu Gajah磗 Japanese prison, Lim Bo Seng dies, a Chinese-born naval hero of Singapore who was arrested two months earlier by the Kampeitai military police in an attempt to create a spys network in the occupied Malaya. Among his team磗 achievements was contact with British Major Freddie Chapman, who had been hiding in the jungle with Communist partisans for over a year and a half since the Japanese invasion. |
| July 31, 1945: |
In Singapore - British submarines penetrate port and by frogmen using limpet mines sink the Japanese heavy cruiser Takao. |
| August 20, 1945: |
In China - Communist and Nationalist troops clash in the north. In Manchuria, the Red Army occupies Mukden and Harbin. An American volunteer team rescues a number of high-ranking Allied prisoners of war by parachuting into Mukden, in Manchuria, shortly before the arrival of Soviet troops. Among the POWs are Lt. Gen. Jonathan Wainwright, who led the American last stand on Corregidor in the Philippines in 1942, Lt. Gen. Arthur Percival, commander of the Singapore garrison at its surrender in 1942, and the governor-general of the Dutch East Indies, Mr. van Starkenborch Stachouwer Starkenborgh Stachouwer. |
| September 2, 1945: |
In Tokyo - The Japanese surrender is signed aboard the battleship USS Missouri (BB-63) in Tokyo Bay. Foreign Minister Shigemitsu leads the Japanese delegation. MacArthur accepts the surrender on behalf of all the Allies. Admiral Nimitz signs for the United States and Admiral Fraser for Britain. There are representatives of all the other Allied nations. Also present are Generals Percival and Wainwright who have been Japanese prisoner since they surrendered at Singapore and Corregidor, respectively and who then flew to the Philippines to accept the surrender of General Jamashita giving up on the same day with 50,000 remaining men. |
| February 23, 1946: |
Philippines - in Manila, a death sentence is executed over the "Tiger of Malaya" Japanese General Yamashita. The general, after his brilliant victory in Malaya, was weaned by his jealous colleagues intrigue for an insignificant post in Manchuria, China, but at the end of the war he was charged with the hopeless defense of the Philippine Islands. He managed to keep part of the island of Luzon until the end of the war, but he was betrayed the second time after the surrender, when he was assigned to him by the Allied Military Tribunal for war crimes committed in the Battle of Manila by raging Japanese troops, but whos acted in violation of his orders and he had no real control over them. One of the most capable field commander of the Second World War is so dishonestly dying by hanging as a victim of mist from its less talented enemies. |
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