RI Y2 Fall of Singapore Lesson 1 2020

MAIN INQUIRY QUESTION Why did Singapore fall to the Japanese?

WHAT ARE SOME THINGS THAT DETERMINE DEFEAT OR VICTORY OF THE BATTLE? 1. PRIORITY 2. LEADERSHIP (on the ground) 3. MILITARY CAPABILITIES 4. STRATEGY (Plan, Propaganda, Preparation, Execution)

SOURCES TO HELP YOU: • Reading – Y2 History T extbook, pp.23-27 • Fall of Singapore explained (2m7s) by ABC News https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIB7hbrZj7c • Ep 1: The Singapore Strategy (4m26s) by Roots Sg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BktyGG36viE&t=99s • Ep 2: The Battle for Singapore (4m53s) by Roots Sg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZ8Q07WfoD0 • Ep 3: British Surrender & Japanese Occupation (3m51s) by Roots Sg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQSYCSVMJKE • Generals at War: The Battle of Singapore (47m11s) by NatGeo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbszSQaIGz8

1. PRIORITY - JAPAN’S SITUATION IN 1941 • IJA - war with China since 1937, severe drain on resources, worsened by US embargoes on resources. • SEA: resource-rich region, several key resources IJA required to continue its war effort in China • IJA: building up forces on Hainan Island and in French Indochina.

PRIORITY - THE WORLD SITUATION IN 1941 • The Axis Powers: height of power. • German military forces: conquered large part of Europe, vanquished France in 6 weeks, driving on into the heart of Russia, creating potential for cross-channel German invasion of the British Home Islands. • The Italians moving eastward across Egypt towards the Suez Canal, threatening to seize vital British and French oilfields in the Middle East.

BRITISH OVERSTRETCHED • British military forces were overstretched – need to fight in multiple theatres across the world. • The main priority for the British Government was to defend the British Isles against a German invasion • Secondary to that was the defence of Suez and the Middle East, as well as aid to Russia • Consequently, this meant that the defence of Malaya and Singapore was underprioritised Wha t would this mean for the defence of Singapore? Fewer & more inferior resources! Vulnera - ble !

BRITISH PRIORITIES (1941) 1.Defence of the British Home Islands: • Most important because it is their homeland territory, defeat would signify loss of British sovereignty. 2.Providing aid and assistance to Russia: • Russia was considered critical to the allied war effort in WWII. • With the British out of continental Europe, Russia was the only remaining country that could kill Axis soldiers. • Hence, it was important for the British to give everything they could to support the Russian war effort. 3.Defence of Suez Canal and Middle East: • Loss of the Suez Canal would mean British ships having to take a much longer route to reach East Asia and jeopardise British communications with India, Malaya and Singapore. • Oil of the Middle East was also essential to make war and Churchill wanted to prevent the oil from falling into Axis hands. • Churchill personally viewed this theatre as important – he sent 200 British tanks that was meant for home defence to British forces in Egypt. 7 Why did Singapore fall to the Japanese? BRITISH PRIORITIES IN 1941

JAPANESE PRIORITIES IN 1941 In contrast, the focus of Japan was largely on the Pacific Theatre. • Remained largely unopposed in Asia although conflict with China ensued. • Disable US’ capabilities to counterstrike by attacking Pearl Harbour first. ➔ Therefore the Japanese were able to concentrate resources solely to conquer Southeast Asia, including Singapore