Chapter 5

• Why did the Japanese start to change and modernise?

  The Japanese saw the warships from the united states and realised that they were far behind so they changed and modernised.
• Why did the Japanese start to attack Southeast Asia?

  The United States had stopped supplying oil to the Japanese so they had to go to southeast Asia to get oil as it was needed to keep their industries going.
• Why did the Japanese want to attack Singapore and Malaya?

  Malaya's tin and rubber would support Japanese industries and war production, while Singapore's port and important location made it an ideal base for Japanese attacks on the Dutch East Indies and possibly even Australia.
• Why were the british unable to protect its colonies in Asia?

  Britain had been exhausted by World War 1 and the British public were unwilling to keep up military spending after the horrible experience of a war. So Britain was no longer able to maintain a large permanent military force to protect its colonies in Asia.
• What was the Singapore Strategy?

  In the event of war, Britain would send a fleet of warships to the naval base in Sembawang. While the fleet was on its way Singapore would have to defend itself relying on the local defenses built by the British.
• What were the local defences built by the British?

  The naval base, military airfields and guns that were set up to defend attacks from the sea.
• Why was the British unable to send the warships to Singapore?

  They needed to defend themselves using all their defences against the nazis from Germany.
• Why did the British believe that the Japanese would not attack from the north?

  They believed it was difficult to land troops in Malaya during the monsoon and advance through the thick jungles.
• Why did Malaya fall despite the amount of military airfields?

  There were not enough troops to protect the numerous military airfields all over Malaya. So the Japanese were able to capture many of the airfields and use them to attack other parts of Malaya and Singapore.
• Air Force in Malaya and Singapore?

  The air force in Malaya and Singapore comprised mostly ageing and outdated Buffalo fighters which had short life expectancy for its pilots in battle.
• What challenges were faced because there were different races of troops

  • Many of the soldiers did not feel it was their duty to fight hard and sacrifice themselves in the defence of the colonies. The British were also reluctant to call on the locals to contribute to the defence.
  • There were also language barriers.
• Troops in Malaya and Singapore?

  Most of the troops were poorly trained and ill-equipped. They also received little to no training in fighting in the tropical climate.
• What happened to the 2 warships that were sent to Singapore?

  The Japanese spotted the warships. So they bombed and sank the warships.
• How were the Japanese so prepared?

  Japanese spies disguised as tourists or barbers helped to gather information for the military. The Japanese army also set up a special research unit to look into techniques for jungle fighting and the training of soldiers for the invasion of Malaya.
• Good things about the Japanese army?

  They were experienced, battle-hardened and well-supported with weapons, aircraft, warships and tanks. They were led by General Tomoyuki Yamashita, a highly regarded commander. He was supported by young, capable and highly motivated officers.
• What did General Yamashita do when the Japanese forces were severely outnumbered?

  He launched surprise attacks. The British were caught off guard, and they retreated in haste. As a result they left behind a large quantity of supplies, equipment and weapons that the Japanese took.
• What was the perception of Britain regarding Japan in the 1920s?

  Japan was seen as a serious threat to the British Empire in the Far East.
• Why were the British particularly concerned about Singapore and Malaya?

  They were targets for Japan due to their rich natural resources and strategic shipping routes.
• What resources in Malaya were significant for Japanese industries and war production?

  Malaya's rich supply of tin and rubber.
• How did the British view Singapore's port in relation to Japanese military strategy?

  They saw it as an ideal base for attacking the Dutch East Indies and possibly Australia.
• What was the impact of World War I on British military funding?

  The British public objected to the government's allocation of more funds to the military.
• What was the state of British military power after World War I?

  British power had declined, and they could not maintain a large permanent military force in Asia.
• What does it mean for Singapore to be described as an "impregnable fortress"?

  It means Singapore was so strong or inaccessible that it could not be broken into or captured.
• What was the "Singapore Strategy" employed by the British?

  It involved sending for battle fleets from Europe and fortifying Singapore against attacks.
• Which two battle cruisers arrived in Singapore in 1941?


  HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse.
• What measures did the British take to defend Singapore?

  They mounted 15-inch guns facing the sea and built a naval base in Sembawang.
• Where were military airfields built in Singapore?

  In Tengah and Sembawang.
• What was the purpose of creating underground bunkers in Singapore?

  To provide protection and support during potential attacks.
• What was the general sentiment of local people regarding British defense against the Japanese?

  They expressed confidence in the British defense system.
• Why was the Singapore Strategy ultimately ineffective?

  Because the rise of Nazi Germany and the outbreak of World War II prevented the British from sending a powerful fleet to Singapore.
• How did the geography of Malaya factor into British defense planning?

  British assumed the geography would hinder Japanese landings, especially during the monsoon.
• What geographical features made Malaya difficult for Japanese troops to invade?

  Coastal mangrove swamps and mountain ranges with dense jungles.
• What was the British focus in their defense strategy against Japanese attacks?

  They focused on protecting against sea attacks from the south and east.
• Why did the British realize they needed to defend Malaya?

  Because losing Malaya would mean losing Singapore.
• What plans did the British come up with to defend Malaya?

  They planned to stop Japanese troops from landing in Northern Malaya and built military airfields for defense.
• Why could the British not send more naval and air reinforcements to Malaya?

  Because they were needed in the war against Germany in Europe and North America.
• How did the Japanese utilize intelligence services in their invasion planning?

  They monitored British coastal defenses and took photographs of roads and railways.
• What tactics did Japanese intelligence agents use to gather information?

  They disguised themselves as ordinary workers to spy on military officers.
• Who was the head of the Japanese special research unit during the invasion planning?

  Colonel Masanobu Tsuji.
• How long did it take for the Japanese to claim victory over Malaya?

  It took only 7 weeks, culminating on January 31, 1942.