" I found a lot of British expedience in that book.
Like a number of British military journalists come historians, instead of having a good look at the failings of British military leadership at all levels, they lay the blame elsewhere. In Hong Kong they blamed the Canadians, Singapore the Australians, Malaya the Indians."
I would say the Loss of Singapore was a Pure home grown British exercise.
There was no Fortress Singapore in 1918 and by early 20's Japan had been identified as the only Potential Enemy.
The RN had the task of Saving the Eastern Empire following a major sea battle.
A dockyard capable of repairing Capital ships was required and after discounting Hong Kong and Australia, Singapore was chosen for the base.
Upon a jap fleet sailing the UK Battle fleet was to be dispatched to save the day.
The newly formed RAF wanting a Strategic Role offered a cheaper solution to sink the invading fleet hundreds of miles offshore and until early 1930's no land invasion was considered practical.
In mid 1930's the young Col Percival was sent out to asses the situation by Sir John Dill, soon to be CIGS and who considered Percival to be an up and coming successor.
Percival made his report, almost nothing was done, he had requested two Tank Regts and four divisions.
350 Modern A/c where required but never supplied only 2nd rate obsolescent where employed, about 150 in total.
Tales told after the war included Indian troops six weeks in the ranks, four having been spent teaching them to wear boots and march.
The commander of the Australian division said in a interview with UK press that ten days previously some of his troops had been civilians on the streets of Sydney.
All divisions where of only two brigades instead of the normal three.
All divisions where Mechanised, Lorry born troops, road bound, without any Pack Mules necessary for Jungle warfare.
The jap employed the hook tactic and it was not until 44 that Slim was able to use the Air Fleet, to supply his men surrounded on the ground and so defeat the jap encirlement which had spooked troops from day one.
A pure UK Disaster the bar steward without a father.
john