When was singapore invaded by japan

Battle of Singapore written by Ho, Stephanie. Retrieved December 19, , from Singapore Infopedia. Tsuji, M. Lake, Trans. Singapore: Oxford University Press. Call no.

Kinvig, C. Scapegoat: General Percival of Singapore pp. London: Brassey's UK. Despite being offered peaceful intent by a British officer, the Japanese soldiers rounded up about staff and patients, and massacred them the next morning.

The date was 15 February , just one week after the first Japanese troops landed in Singapore, In contrast to the name given to Singapore by the Japanese occupation, it was a dark three years and seven months 19 for many on the island. Due to a lack of written records, the exact number of people killed in the operation is unknown. The official figure given by the Japanese is 5,, although the actual number is believed to much higher.

Witness statement of the 'Sook Ching' Massacre. May Collection of National Museum of Singapore. The Selarang Prisoner-of-war Camp was overcrowded and prisoners lived in inhumane conditions.

Aside from the constant fear of persecution by the Kempeitai Japanese military police , 21 many living in Singapore during the occupation had to survive on limited food rations. Prisoners-of-war POWs were forced into hard labour and being imprisoned in cramped cells ridden with disease. They were also made to sign a pledge of non-escape, after four prisoners attempted to flee from Selarang camp. Banana money was the local currency issued by the Japanese during the occupation.

The British were forced to abandon and evacuate many of their positions, including Port Swettenham and Kuala Lumpur. On February 8, 5, Japanese troops landed on Singapore Island.

Pro-Japanese propaganda leaflets were dropped on the islands, encouraging surrender. Tactical miscalculations on the part of British Gen. Arthur Percival and poor communication between military and civilian authorities exacerbated the deteriorating British defense.

Tomoyuki Yamashita in front of Japanese newsreel cameras. Sixty-two thousand Allied soldiers were taken prisoner; more than half eventually died as prisoners of war. With the surrender of Singapore, Britain lost its foothold in the East. But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us! On February 15, , the entire member U.