Causes for British defeat Flashcards
What are the causes for defeat?
- Britains pride and arrogance (complacent attitude)
- Japanese determination and resilience
- Japanese sound military strategies
- Strong Japanese Leadership
Britain’s pride and arrogance
*Assumption is Singapore was protected from the North. The military preparation and the natural protection was deemed to make Singapore a strong fortress. However, it fell within 8 days after the Japanese landed on the Johor Straits.
*Attitude: Underestimated the Japanese and believed them to be inferior. Therefore, did not provide naval base with warships or fighter planes.
Japanese Determination and resilience
- Japanese troops were very motivated and were very loyal and committed to their Emperor and country and would fight to their death in honour of their nations.
- “Kamikaze” planes -> suicide planes
Japanese sound military strategies (AIR)
*Attacks on Singapore airfields began simultaneously with the attack on Pearl Harbour
- RAF lost nearly all its frontline planes
- Lost all hopes of aerial defence
- RAF Buffalo planes against the mightier Japanese Zeroes
*The Japanese had the support of modern air force and war fleet.
*The Japanese ‘zero fighters’ destroyed about half of the British old and outdated planes.
Japanese sound military strategies (NAVAL)
*At sea, the British battleship, HMS Prince of Wales and Repulse were sunk easily by the Japanese planes.
*They had 300 tanks as compared to the British who thought that tanks were not suitable for jungle warfare.
*They trained their soldiers in jungle warfare while the British soldiers were not.
*Sinking of the HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse
Strong Japanese leadership
General Arthur Percival:
90,000 men
Never seen in combat
Indecisive
General Tomoyuki Yamashita:
65,000 men
Fought in Manchuria
Skilful leader