The Lion's Claws, the Unicorn's Horn, Shattered (February 1942)

Lieutenant Tom Wade

15th February 1942

Singapore, the 'city of lions' had fallen. The greatest military name in all Asia and Australasia had been humbled after a 70-day campaign and with it had fallen the richest country of the world, taking into account its population - the rubber and tin-bearing Malay States. The defenders and the world were awestruck: a giant had proved to have feet of clay. Singapore had surrendered.

Contrary to popular belief, Singapore was not a fortress in any sense of the word. Millions of pounds had been spent with the idea of making it one, but millions more would still be needed. The money spent had bought it a well-equipped naval base, a giant floating dock, five 15-inch guns set in the hills facing the sea and a number of 9.2- and 6-inch batteries guarding the sea approaches. It had also bought many large barracks, three airfields and a well-defended small island, Blakang Mati, next to the harbour. But it provided zero defences of any kind on the northern, western and even portions of the southern shore of the island.

The Japanese had command of the air and command of the sea and proved themselves superior on land. Command of the air and sea could scarcely have been avoided in the Far East at that time, and around a peninsula like Malaya their superiority in those areas proved decisive. But superiority on land was due to more thorough training and greater experience. The Japanese made themselves masters of jungle warfare and fought with efficiency, determination and speed which only perfect training brings. They used their three main weapons - mortars, infantry guns and tanks - to the best possible effect, and to this they added unflagging determination and breathtaking speed.

Compare this to us, the British. Some of us had three years of war experience in China, whereas most of us had none. The generalship of General Yamashita was brilliant; our generalship was almost always bad and wrong. It was weak and uninspiring; its existence was rarely felt. And we had dreadfully underestimated the Japanese. A few of us tried to offer excuses for our defeat. They said we ran out of aircraft or ammunition or water. The answer to this was best given by a Lancashire private of the Loyal Regiment: 'The only thing we run out of was land!'.

Why I had not contemplated getting onto a ship out to sea bound for Java was beyond me. And now Changi awaits.