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History - Chapter 5 - Coggle Diagram
History - Chapter 5
Japanese Strengths
Well throughout Strategy
The Japanese bombarded the northeast of Singapore heavily and attacked Pulau Ubin on the 7th of February 1942. The British moved troops and supplies such as petrol and explosives to the northwest to the north east like the Japanese wanted. This paved the way for the Japanese to invade Singapore easily.
Speed & Surprise
More time to plan their route and think of more decisive blows which allowed the Japanese to conquer SG more swiftly. The British had little time to react and thus made them flustered. Fatal mistakes made by the British caused miscommunication to occur.
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British Weaknesses
Defending the homeground
At that time the Germans were also attacking Europe and so Europe was the main priority and the best equipment was sent there. Lack in modern weapons
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Psychological Defeat
General Percival and his commanders made the decision to surrender because they wanted to avoid further bloodshed and their supplies of food,water and ammunition was running out.
That day Yamashita demanded immediate surrender and Percival agreed. However, he didn’t know that the Japanese too were running out of ammunition and men, thus might not have been able to carry on fighting for long.
The Singapore Strategy
The British constructed a modern naval base in Asia. Singapore had been chosen as the site because of its geographical location and importance as a port.
Britain would send a fleet of warships to the base to protect its large overseas empire. While the fleet is on its way, Singapore would have to rely on local defences built by the British.
However, the Singapore Strategy was found to be unrealistic. For example, it was initially assumed that the situation in Europe would remain peaceful so that powerful ships could be sent.
It was not possible to do so because of the rise of Nazi Germany and the subsequent outbreak of WW2 in Europe. Thus Britain needed all its defences to protect itself.