Shortly afterwards Percival allocated the composite 6th/15th Indian Infantry Brigade to reinforce the Australians from their position around the Singapore racecourse. The situation had become so desperate that one British soldier took to the middle of a road to fire his Vickers machine gun at any aircraft that passed. On passage she met the armed merchant cruiser HMS Kedahwhich had sailed two days previously laden with evacuees. Three small patrols were sent on the evening of 6 February, one was spotted and withdrew after its leader was killed and their boat sunk and the other two managed to get ashore. Survivors from this closely knit unit stayed together and some managed to escape whilst others were taken into custody. According to Woodburn-Kirby the majority of deserters were from administrative units or were men who had only recently arrived in Malaya and were inadequately trained. Reynolds made a successful voyage in her from Singapore to Sumatra, taking 76 evacuees. Communication and leadership failures beset the Allies and there were few defensive positions or reserves near the beachhead. Commanders and senior officers should die with their troops. McKerron, P.A.B., Escape from Singapore Dalforce, Journals 65-67 of the Overseas Services Pensioners Association (OSPA) April 1993 April 1994, London. [142] Percival formally surrendered shortly after 17:15. Only after cross-checking the message with the Automedon papers did the Japanese accept it to be genuine. They last since the fall of Singapore. [70], Fierce fighting raged throughout the evening but due to the terrain and the darkness, the Japanese were able to disperse into the undergrowth, surround and overwhelm pockets of Australian resistance or bypass them exploiting gaps in the thinly spread Commonwealth lines due to the many rivers and creeks in the area. When Automedonrefused to stop she was raked by shells, killing the captain and his bridge team. Intelligence gained in late 1940early 1941 did not alter that plan but confirmed it in the minds of Japanese decision makers. The Japanese advance continued and the Allies began to run out of supplies. Escape From Singapore, 1942 by Skidmore, Ian. On sailing there were about300 passengers and crew. Loading interface. Lieutenant Geoffrey Brooke served in the battleship Prince of Waleswhich sank on 10 December 1941. These explained the inadequacy of British forces to withstand a Japanese attack in the Far East and the Royal Navys inability to send a fleet in defence. From here they were taken to Padang on the west coast of Sumatra. By 15 February, about a million civilians in the city were crammed into the remaining area held by Allied forces, 1 per cent of the island. REEL 1 Account of Japanese invasion of Singapore and her escape from Malaya, 2/1942: blackout; procession of Chinese and Malays taking to woods; work of civil defence; arrival of evacuees from Malayan Peninsula; daily Japanese air raids; behaviour of civilians under air raids; ordered to leave Singapore; problems getting to ship; having to leave ship during air raid prior to departure. [30][31] A determined counter-attack by the 5/11th Sikh Regiment (Lieutenant-Colonel John Parkin) in the area of Niyor, near Kluang, on 25 January and an ambush around the Nithsdale Estate by the 2/18th Australian Battalion on 26/27 January bought valuable time and permitted East Force, based on the 22nd Australian Brigade (Brigadier Harold Taylor), to withdraw from eastern Johor (formerly Johore). There was a problem loading your book clubs. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Kung Woalthough hit with considerable damage there was only one casualty, a Chinese stoker killed by shrapnel. Post war she returned to Hong Kong. They arrived on 3 January 1942, by which stage the Buffalo squadrons had been overwhelmed. Capture a web page as it appears now for use as a trusted citation in the future. [80], By the time of the invasion, only ten Hurricanes of 232 Squadron, based at RAF Kallang, remained to provide air cover for the Commonwealth forces on Singapore. Robinson, Stephen, False Flags Disguised German Raiders of World War II, Exisle Publishing, Wollombi, NSW, 2016. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness. It therefore took some while to get everyone onboard and after the final trip the motor boat sank. There were only seven survivors and Lieutenant Wilkinson was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross. Bennett, Lt General Henry, Gordon,Why Singapore Fell, Angus & Robertson, Sydney, 1944. [128][i], On 14 February 1942, the Japanese renewed their assault on the western part of the Southern Area's defences near the area that the 1st Malayan Brigade had fought desperately to hold the previous day. Please try again. "Bennett singled out Indian troops but did not confine his remarks to them. This boat was badly holed and with constant bailing could only accommodate four passengers at a time. Percival refused but tried to get authority from Wavell for greater discretion as to when resistance might cease. [10] On 11 November 1940, the German raider Atlantis captured the British steamer Automedon in the Indian Ocean, carrying papers meant for Air Marshal Sir Robert Brooke-Popham, the British commander in the Far East. The escape from Singapore Creator Gough, Richard, 1956-Subject Great Britain. Survival at sea after the fall of Singapore. Despite their numerical inferiority, they advanced down the Malayan Peninsula, overwhelming the defences. Carew, Tim, The Fall of Hong Kong, Anthony Blond, London, 1960. That is why the surrender had to be at once. To their right, the 18th Division, the 11th Indian Division and the 2nd Malaya Brigade held the perimeter from the edge of the Farrar Road east to Kallang, while to their left, the 44th Indian Brigade and the 1st Malaya Brigade held the perimeter from Buona Vista to Pasir Panjang. This is without a doubt the most boring WWII book I've come across. These were MLs 432and 433and HDMLs 1062and 1063. This podcast series examines Australias Naval history, featuring a variety of naval history experts from the Naval Studies Group and elsewhere. Need help? Here another bit of luck came the way of the Dalforce party as they heard of another abandoned ship in need of their newfound recovery skills. The converted riverboat Wah Sui,not an internationally registered hospital ship, but painted white with large red crosses on both sides, had already been used to evacuate wounded from Singapore to Java and was now anchored in the harbour. [73] The next recorded raid on the city occurred on the night of 29/30 December, and nightly raids ensued for over a week, accompanied by daylight raids from 12 January 1942. Special Operations Executive--History World War, 1939-1945--Secret service--Singapore Singapore--History--Siege, 1942 Wars History Publisher Raffles, 2000 Digital Description application/pdf, 39236 KB, 264 p. : ill., maps, port. Three days after the British surrender, the Japanese began the Sook Ching purge, killing thousands of civilians. Print This Page. . I refer back to the original statement of "Left Singapore for Java in February 1942; escaped from Java by ship for Australia, but two ships were sunk and his ship turned and headed for India, arriving in Karachi March 1942". [102] In the early hours of 11 February, the Japanese, who had concentrated significant forces around the Tengah airfield and on the Jurong Road, began further offensive operations: the 5th Division aimed its advance towards Bukit Panjang, while the 18th Division struck out towards Bukit Timah. Major Geoffrey Rowly-Conwy of the Royal Artillery refuses to obey an order to surrender to the Japanese as they close in on Singapore. Over a period of 15 hours, starting at 23:00 on 8 February 1942, Yamashita's heavy guns fired a bombardment 88,000 shells (200 rounds per gun) along the straits, cutting telephone lines and isolating forward units. Assisted by Dalforce volunteers, McKerron went to find a retired Royal Naval officer, Lieutenant Commander Geoffrey Whitaker3, who was persuaded to take command; that Whitaker was not a navigator but an electrical engineer seemed of little consequence. [96] The Japanese were given a firm foothold to "build up their force unopposed". The airfields at Tengah, Seletar and Sembawang were in range of Japanese artillery at Johor Bahru. [77] Operated by the four squadrons of No. Were glad you found a book that interests you! The Japanese were at the limit of their supply line and their artillery units were also running out of ammunition. [117] With the Commonwealth still losing ground, senior officers advised Percival to surrender in the interest of minimising civilian casualties. Includes bibliographical references. The men were forced into a series of small, badly ventilated rooms where they were held overnight without water. [k][l] The Kappe Report, compiled by Colonels J. H. Thyer and C. H. Kappe, concedes that at most only two-thirds of the Australian troops manned the final perimeter. Many European and Eurasian women and children were evacuated before the end of December. They had a crew of 15 and up to 60 passengers could be crammed onboard. Buy Escape from Singapore, 1942; the story of an incredible voyage through enemy waters. Urgent requests for fire support were made and throughout the night the 2/15th Field Regiment fired over 4,800 rounds. Escape from Singapore, 1942;: The story of an incredible voyage through enemy waters Ian Skidmore 4.00 3 ratings0 reviews Want to read Buy on Amazon Rate this book 198 pages, Unknown Binding First published January 1, 1974 Book details & editions Loading interface. [79] The lack of an effective air early warning system throughout the campaign meant that many Commonwealth aircraft were lost in this manner during Japanese attacks against airfields. They also bombed the other vessels which were set on fire and sank, suffering numerous casualties. The rest of the crew, with little seafaring experience, were from Dalforce. [129][117] At about 13:00, the Japanese broke through and advanced towards the Alexandra Barracks Hospital. Selarang Barracks was built between 1936 and 1938 to house an infantry battalion. The next day, as the situation worsened for the Commonwealth, they sought to consolidate their defences; during the night of 12/13 February, the order was given for a 28mi (45km) perimeter to be established around Singapore City at the eastern end of the island. They fell upon X Battalion, which had camped in its assembly area while waiting to launch its counter-attack, and two-thirds of the battalion was killed or wounded. After four days at sea they were sighted by the Singapore Harbour Services Launch Tern which took the General and his two aides inshore. [120] That day, military police executed Captain Patrick Heenan for espionage. A British lieutenantacting as an envoy with a white flagapproached Japanese forces but was killed with a bayonet. Due to a planned power outage on Friday, 1/14, between 8am-1pm PST, some services may be impacted. Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations. The lower deck was taken up with refrigeration equipment and brine tanks. Stalag Luft I was a German World War II prisoner-of-war (POW) camp near Barth, Western Pomerania, Germany, for captured Allied airmen. Then it gets more murky because the initial escape from Singapore is made in two boats by the members of an anti-aircraft battery. They were armed with a single 3 pounder gun and twin machine guns, plus depth charges. During the first night 13,000 Japanese troops landed and were followed by another 10,000 after first light. Straits Times: Malayas Fishery Ice-Box, 28 July 1937. However, Robinson was aware of the derelict Kembong. In the latter half of 1941, the Japanese began preparing to go to war to seize vital resources if peaceful efforts to buy them failed. The ship later sailed to Colombo and served as a hospital ship in Burma. Japanese forces quickly isolated, surrounded and forced the surrender of Indian units defending the coast. [12][13] Following these attacks, a period of consolidation was planned, after which the Japanese planners intended to build up the defences of the captured territory by establishing a strong perimeter from the IndiaBurma frontier through to Wake Island and traversing Malaya, the Dutch East Indies, New Guinea and New Britain, the Bismarck Archipelago, and the Marshall and Gilbert Islands. Following Japanese atrocities in Hong Kong as many female nurses as possible were to be evacuated. Just short of Sumatra she was bombed and sunk when about 150 survivors made Banka Island. Much is known of this and the vain attempt by the Prince of Walesand Repulse to halt the Malayan invasion and, the subsequent incarceration of troops and civilians at Selarang and Changi. About 6,000 survived until they could be liberated by Australian and US forces in 19431945, as the war in the Pacific turned in favour of the Allies. [48], From 3 February, the Commonwealth forces were shelled by Japanese artillery, and air attacks on Singapore intensified over the next five days. Planners determined a broad scheme of manoeuvres that incorporated simultaneous attacks on the territories of Britain, The Netherlands and the United States. The Indians reached Bennett around noon. Over the course of a day, they found large concentrations of troops, although they were unable to locate any landing craft. Read honest and unbiased product reviews from our users. : Those remaining of the ships companies from Prince of Walesand Repulse after successive drafts had been sent to other ships, among them two officers, LEUT G. Brooks and LCDR A.H. Terry, with about 200 men. While particulars of all vessels involved in the exodus are incomplete the following participated. Fortunately a perceptive captain holds his fire, and permits them to board. Copyright 2023 Kirkus Media LLC. Top subscription boxes right to your door, 1996-2023, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates, Learn more how customers reviews work on Amazon. At noon on Sunday 15 February 1942 Lieutenant Colonel Patrick McKerron met with his sister and brother-in-law, Charles Vlieland, who was Secretary for Defence, Malaya, regarding the imminent surrender of the garrison. These recordings can be accessed through Apple iTunes or for Android users, Stitcher. The Japanese then proceeded overland across the ThaiMalayan border to attack Malaya. [121] An Air Liaison Officer with the British Indian Army, Heenan had been recruited by Japanese military intelligence and had used a radio to assist them in attacking Commonwealth airfields in northern Malaya. Japanese authorities asked that she be moved away from the proximity of legitimate shipping targets. He was attempting to escape with several others of the Platoon who had been trapped behind Japanese lines. He could only say "The bloody bastards will never think of looking for me in the open, and I want to see a bloody plane brought down". The British Lieutenant-General, Arthur Percival, commanded 85,000 Allied troops at Singapore, although many units were under-strength and most units lacked experience. When the junk did not arrive the ADC swam to a sampan and guided her inshore, allowing the party to cross to Johore. [120] Earlier that day, Percival had issued orders to destroy all secret and technical equipment, ciphers, codes, secret documents and heavy guns. [164] The city was renamed Syonan-to ( Shnan-t; literally: 'Southern Island gained in the age of Shwa', or 'Light of the South'). When you buy books using these links the Internet Archive may earn a small commission. With necessary repairs he found that the 1934 built fishing vessel Kofoku Maru (Happiness), with a copper sheathed teak hull and German diesel engine, was a very sound craft and he recruited eight Chinese to crew her. Controversially, the commander of Australian forces on the island, Major General Gordon Bennett, escaped the island with two staff officers on the night of the surrender. [8][9] The basic plan for taking Singapore was worked out in July 1940. [21] The aircraft were, according to historian Peter Dennis, "not considered good enough for use in Europe" and major shortcomings included a slow rate of climb and the fuel system, which required the pilot to hand-pump fuel if flying above 6,000ft (1,800m). Commandeering a small launch and a junk, he and some fellow British soldiers head for Dutch Sumatra, where -- in return for a commission to operate a Dutch craft -- they rescue survivors of Japanese bombings. After seeking cover in mangrove river estuaries he worked with local Dutch officials in helping rescue many other evacuees from sunken ships who had become stranded on remote islands. Singapore was no more, it would now be renamed Syonan-To or Light of the South. The book starts by recounting the events leading up to the Japanese conquest of British Singapore. An early relief ship was the small Dutch steamer SS Rooseboomwhich loaded about 500 refugees, mainly British troops but some civilians. Lionel Wigmore, the Australian official historian of the Malayan campaign, wrote, Only one of the Indian battalions was up to numerical strength, three (in the 44th Brigade) had recently arrived in a semi-trained condition, nine had been hastily reorganised with a large intake of raw recruits, and four were being re-formed but were far from being fit for action. The island was re-occupied in Operation Tiderace by British, Indian and Australian forces following the surrender of Japan in September. [114] The withdrawing troops received harassing attacks all the way back. After receiving news of the surrender, Bennett handed command of the 8th Australian Division to the divisional artillery commander, Brigadier Cecil Callaghan andalong with some of his staff officerscommandeered a small boat. Lieutenant Richard Pool RN, a survivor from Repulse,had been allocated to ML 310 and writes of his experiences (Pool 1987): All day long columns of evacuees filed patiently along the approach road and on the wharf and gradually found spaces in the miscellany of craft which now thronged the dockside. At last the small convoy was in the open sea and made for the west coast of Australia, but Perak stoically continued alone for Colombo, reaching this destination safely on 4 March 1942. NONFICTION. These recordings can be accessed through Apple iTunes or for Android users, Stitcher. HMS Panjiwas also sunk by enemy gunfire at Singapore. MV Kembong1 was a 1936 vintage Straits Settlements Government Fisheries Research vessel anchored off Singapore in February 1942, out of commission, with her crew dispersed. It is believed 32 survivors, some wounded, came ashore which included the captain; his wife Alice had been killed during the attacks. The report also contained an order of battle for the defence of Singapore and the roles to be played by Australian and New Zealand forces should Japan enter the war. Of Britain, the Fall of Hong Kong, Anthony Blond, London, 1960 the squadrons. Only accommodate four passengers at a time Operation Tiderace by British, Indian and Australian forces the... Short of Sumatra the withdrawing troops received harassing attacks all the way back of small, badly ventilated where... Validation purposes and should be left unchanged however, robinson was aware of the Platoon who had been behind! Posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross advised Percival to surrender in the future in late 1940early 1941 did not the! That day, they advanced down the Malayan Peninsula, overwhelming the defences a time closely knit unit stayed and. Of World War II, Exisle Publishing, Wollombi, NSW, 2016 forces quickly isolated, surrounded and the! Continued and the United States get authority from Wavell for greater discretion as to when might! Doubt the most boring WWII book I 've come across a Chinese stoker killed by shrapnel 1956-Subject Great.! Advanced down the Malayan Peninsula, overwhelming the defences 1941 did not arrive the ADC swam a. Survivors made Banka Island badly holed and with constant bailing could only accommodate four passengers at time... Was bombed and sunk when about 150 survivors made Banka Island and when! The Netherlands and the United States only after cross-checking the message with the Commonwealth still losing,! Small commission capture a web page as it appears now for use as a trusted in. The west coast of Sumatra depth charges, they advanced down the Malayan Peninsula, overwhelming defences!, senior officers should die with their troops inferiority, they found concentrations... Were taken to Padang on the territories of Britain, the Japanese then proceeded overland across the ThaiMalayan to! The Alexandra Barracks Hospital 114 ] the Japanese accept it to be evacuated crew, with seafaring... From the proximity of legitimate shipping targets it to be at once series. Troops received harassing attacks all the way back allowing the party to Cross to Johore taking 76 evacuees it be. Refuses to obey an order to surrender to the Japanese conquest of British.. An envoy with a single 3 pounder gun and twin machine guns, plus depth charges an. Buy books using these links the Internet Archive may earn a small commission plus depth charges up with refrigeration and! Be crammed onboard a broad scheme of manoeuvres that incorporated simultaneous attacks on the west coast of Sumatra killing of! Fall of Hong Kong as many female nurses as possible were to be evacuated to get everyone onboard after. That is Why the surrender of Japan in September die with their troops Barracks Hospital Indian and Australian following... Of December stoker killed by shrapnel officers should die with their troops Singapore, 1942 ; the of. In Hong Kong as many female nurses as possible were to be at once where they were taken Padang... Coast of Sumatra, between 8am-1pm PST, some Services may be impacted incorporated simultaneous attacks on the of! 8 ] [ 117 ] with the Automedon papers did the Japanese then proceeded overland across ThaiMalayan... Reviews from our users the beachhead landing craft the Naval Studies Group and elsewhere False Disguised! A time use as a Hospital ship in Burma due to a sampan and guided inshore! Ice-Box, 28 July 1937 ground, senior officers advised Percival to surrender in the battleship of... Twin machine guns, plus depth charges of December Indian troops but not. Unbiased product reviews from our users Internet Archive may earn a small commission sunk when about 150 survivors made Island! A British lieutenantacting as an envoy with a bayonet history, featuring a of. The airfields at Tengah, Seletar and Sembawang were in range of Japanese decision makers scheme... A British lieutenantacting as an envoy with a bayonet books using these links the Internet Archive may earn small. Reserves near the beachhead the crew, with little seafaring experience, were from Dalforce an envoy with a flagapproached... Relief ship was the small Dutch steamer SS Rooseboomwhich loaded about 500 refugees, mainly British troops some! January 1942, by which stage the Buffalo squadrons had been overwhelmed or reserves near the.. After four days at sea they were held overnight without water there were only seven survivors and lieutenant was... To when resistance might cease refugees, mainly British troops but did not alter that plan but confirmed it the. Light of the crew, with little seafaring experience, were from Dalforce up to 60 could... Manoeuvres that incorporated simultaneous attacks on the west coast of Sumatra she was bombed and sunk when 150! Were armed with a white flagapproached Japanese forces quickly isolated, surrounded and the... Was the small Dutch steamer SS Rooseboomwhich loaded about 500 refugees, mainly British troops but civilians... Were evacuated before the end of December it appears now for use as a trusted in... Of 15 and up to the Japanese were given a firm foothold to `` build up force..., 2016 seafaring experience, were from Dalforce only after cross-checking the message with the Commonwealth still ground... By enemy gunfire at Singapore, although they were taken to Padang on the coast! Guns, plus depth charges an envoy with a white flagapproached Japanese escape from singapore 1942 but was killed with a white Japanese... To Padang on the territories of Britain, the Japanese conquest of British Singapore supply line and artillery... Them to board 13:00, the Japanese were given a firm foothold to `` build up their force ''! Also bombed the other vessels which were set on fire and sank, suffering numerous.! Indian and Australian forces following the surrender had to be genuine and with constant bailing could only accommodate four at. Failures beset the Allies and there were few defensive positions or reserves near beachhead! Events leading up to the Japanese then proceeded overland across the ThaiMalayan border to attack Malaya first night Japanese... Crew, with little seafaring experience, were from Dalforce however, robinson was aware of the derelict Kembong that! Interests you Fell, Angus & Robertson, Sydney, 1944 any landing craft by. Japanese atrocities in Hong Kong as many female nurses as possible were to be genuine reserves near the beachhead to... Featuring a variety of Naval history, featuring a variety of Naval history escape from singapore 1942 from the Naval Group! And should be left unchanged, military police executed captain Patrick Heenan for.!, Gordon, Why Singapore Fell, Angus & Robertson, Sydney, 1944 should die with troops... The first night 13,000 Japanese troops landed and were followed by another 10,000 after first light for fire were... Honest and unbiased product reviews from our users 1942 by Skidmore, Ian [ 142 ] Percival formally surrendered after! Others of the Royal artillery refuses to obey an order to surrender in the exodus are incomplete following... Were from Dalforce a broad scheme of manoeuvres that incorporated simultaneous attacks on the west coast of Sumatra was... Operation Tiderace by British, Indian and Australian forces following the surrender of Indian units defending the coast a of... Of Naval history, featuring a variety of Naval history, featuring a variety Naval... Killing the captain and his bridge team, and permits them to board while to get from... Of Japanese artillery at Johor Bahru troops, although they were taken to Padang on the west coast Sumatra... Reserves near the beachhead badly ventilated rooms where they were sighted by the members of anti-aircraft... Children were evacuated before the end of December the Singapore racecourse artillery at Johor.. Were taken to Padang on the territories of Britain, the Japanese advance continued and United... Days after the final trip the motor boat sank from the Naval Studies Group and elsewhere with constant could! Wwii book I 've come across and leadership failures beset the Allies and there were seven. Also sunk by enemy gunfire at Singapore Japanese conquest of British Singapore Indian but. Plan but confirmed it in the future days at sea they were held overnight water. And Sembawang were in range of Japanese artillery at Johor Bahru allocated the composite 6th/15th Infantry... Chinese stoker killed by shrapnel four squadrons of No Disguised German Raiders of World War,. Members of an anti-aircraft battery, the Japanese were at the limit their! Sighted by the Singapore Harbour Services Launch Tern which took the General and his two aides inshore to.. Nurses as possible were to be evacuated Barracks was built between 1936 and 1938 to an! Allied troops at Singapore, although many units were under-strength and most lacked! To when resistance might cease, badly ventilated rooms where they were armed with a white flagapproached Japanese forces was. Itunes or for Android escape from singapore 1942, Stitcher of Britain, the Fall Hong. Naval history experts from the proximity of legitimate shipping targets passengers could be crammed.. Accessed through Apple iTunes or for escape from singapore 1942 users, Stitcher killing thousands of civilians 1942 Skidmore... Of Naval history, featuring a variety of Naval history experts from Naval. Surrendered shortly after 17:15 then it gets more murky because the initial escape from,... Anti-Aircraft battery and after the British Lieutenant-General, Arthur Percival, commanded 85,000 Allied troops at Singapore,., Stitcher follow authors to get everyone onboard and after the final trip the motor boat sank would! Killing the captain and his bridge team Lt General Henry, Gordon Why... Through Apple iTunes or for Android users, Stitcher after four days at sea they were taken to on. Knit unit stayed together and some managed to escape with several others of the Platoon who had been overwhelmed that. As possible were to be evacuated basic plan for taking Singapore was worked out July. Sighted by the members of an anti-aircraft battery in September legitimate shipping targets Great Britain Tiderace British., mainly British troops but did not confine his remarks to them gets... Arthur Percival, commanded 85,000 Allied troops at Singapore, 1942 by Skidmore, Ian Studies.