Causes for British defeat

Question 1

What are the causes for defeat?

Answer 1

1. Britains pride and arrogance (complacent attitude)
2. Japanese determination and resilience
3. Japanese sound military strategies
4. Strong Japanese Leadership

Question 2

Britain’s pride and arrogance

Answer 2

*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.

Question 3

Japanese Determination and resilience

Answer 3

• 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

Question 4

Japanese sound military strategies (AIR)

Answer 4

*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*The Japanese ‘zero fighters’ destroyed about half of the British old and outdated planes.

Question 5

Japanese sound military strategies (NAVAL)

Answer 5

*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

Question 6

Strong Japanese leadership

Answer 6

General Arthur Percival:
90,000 men
Never seen in combat
Indecisive

General Tomoyuki Yamashita:
65,000 men
Fought in Manchuria
Skilful leader