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"There is no help or hope on the horizon."
-- Gen. Arthur Percival, British Singapore commander, personal diary (February 15, 1942)
General Yamashita despite being outnumbered decided not to wait for reinforcements to seize Singapore. A force of Japanese after a feint from the east soldiers using collapsible boats crossed the Straits at night and effected a landing along the northwest coast of the Island (February 8). In a carefully planned operation, the Japanese by dawn had two divisions on the island with light artillery. Australian troops attempted to dislodge them, but failed. The Japanese moved to seize both Tengah Airfield and the causeway (February 9). They immediately set about rebuilding the bridge which was soon operational (February 13). This permitted them to bring in heavy artillery and tanks. The British defense was poorly organized, there were major problems with both communications and consolidation. The garrison fought bravely, including the Commonwealth troops, Dalforce, and Chinese irregulars. Nevertheless, the Japanese took Bukit Timah, the highest point on the island (February 11). The British forces retreated to a final defensive perimeter around the city itself. The British position ran from Pasir Panjang to Kallang. Yamashita offered General Percival the opportunity to surrender. Japanese forces broke through the final perimeter at Pasir Panjang (February 13). This brought the entire city within artillery range. Civilian casualties were extensive as the Japanese continued to bombing the city by day and shelling it at night. An estimated 2,000 civilians were being killed daily and many more wounded. Governor Thomas cabled London, "... there are now one million people within radius of 3 miles. Many dead lying in the streets and burial impossible. We are faced with total deprivation of water, which must result in pestilence...." General Percival cabled General Wavell asking for permission to surrender (February 13). He wanted to avoid the carnage that would result from a house-to-house battle for the city. Churchill was outraged at Percival's surrender request. It was Percival's seeming willingness to so quickly surrender that enraged Churchill.Churchill seeing the futility of the military situation relented and gave his permission (February 14). Percival at the Japanese military headquarters set up in the the Ford factory at Bukit Timah, General Percival signed away the most important base in Asia, surrendering unconditionally to General Yamashita. As a result of his stunning victory, Yamashita became known as the Tiger of Malaya.
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