British Surrendered (15 February 1942 )

THE DAY BRITISH SURRENDERED

On 15 February 1942, which was the Chinese New Year, the British had a final conference about the endlessly war at the Fort Canning Bunker.Lieutenant-General Percival wanted to discuss ways to counter-attack but his commanders were against his previous ideas.They felt that there were too many problems and the soldiers were exhausted, lack of food and water.More men would be killed if they were to engage the Japanese in street fighting.Furthermore,their supplies of food and water were running out.To prevent the bloodshed,the British opted for surrender and soon on 15 February 1942, Japanese Lieutenant-Colonel Sugita led Percival and his delegation to Ford Motor Factory to negotiate the surrender terms.By 15 Feb, the situation for the over one million civilians in the City of Singapore became critical. Food, ammunition, petrol and water were almost exhausted.
 General A.E. Percival, the British Commander in Singapore held a meeting with his officers at the British Underground Command Centre at Fort Canning. They felt they could not win and decided to surrender to the Japanese.General Percival and his chief staff officer were received by General Yamashita, Commander of the Japanese 25th Army, at the Ford Factory in Bukit Timah. Percival’s request for more time to consider was flatly refused. Yamashita demanded the unconditional surrender of the British garrison.Percival signed the terms of surrender. Fighting ceased. Although it was Chinese New Year’s Day, an eerie calm settled over Singapore after the horrors of that week’s fighting. Singapore was renamed Syonan-to – Light of the South.Captain Leach were among the 840 men who lost their lives that day.