escape from singapore 1942

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations. Just short of Sumatra she was bombed and sunk when about 150 survivors made Banka Island. The Japanese held Singapore until the end of the war. [99] On the evening of 10 February, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, cabled Wavell, I think you ought to realise the way we view the situation in Singapore. This is without a doubt the most boring WWII book I've come across. Previous ed. By 15 February, about a million civilians in the city were crammed into the remaining area held by Allied forces, 1 per cent of the island. 2 Michael Pethers mother (Kathleen) and her baby daughter were evacuated from Singapore on Christmas Eve 1941 and his grandmother escaped on 12 February 1942, all reaching the safety of home in New Zealand. At the same time, bowing to Japanese political pressure and possibly compounding foreseen weakness, Britain withdrew from its Chinese based garrisons at Shanghai and Tientsin and repositioned these regiments in Singapore, leaving the last east Asian outpost at Hong Kong alone and vulnerable. Reviewed in the United States on April 2, 2001. Most women and children who wanted to escape by ship had already gone albeit that most of the ships which had left in the previous couple of days were doomed to be sunk. On sailing there were about300 passengers and crew. The first embarkation was to be made as soon after dark as possible in order to allow all craft to clear Singapore and its approaches before daylight the following morning. Immediately following surrender of the garrison by Lieutenant General Arthur Percival on the evening of Sunday 15 February 1942, Major General Bennett handed over his command to Brigadier Cecil Callaghan and executed an escape plan (Bennett 1944). Denis Russell-Roberts (Russell-Roberts 1965), an Indian Army officer and later POW in Singapore, whose wife Ruth died on Banka Island, provides an analysis of 47 vessels that escaped from Singapore. Weintraub, Robert, No Better Friend: One Man, One Dog & Their Extraordinary Story of Courage & Survival in WWII, Little Brown & Company, Boston, 2016. Maxwell knew that the 22nd Brigade was under increasing pressure but was unable to contact Taylor and was wary of encirclement. : One survivor, Private Arthur Haines from the Wiltshire Regiment, wrote a four-page account of the massacre that was sold by his daughter by private auction in 2008. In December 1940, the Germans handed over copies of the papers to the Japanese. They get buzzed by a Zero that inexplicably doesn't fire, they get fired upon by a Zero who inexplicably doesn't finish them off, they meet a drunken Dutchman, they eat poorly (but not _that_ poorly), tempers fray, etc. , Publisher In February 1942 Geoffrey Charles Whitaker was a retired RN officer on the Emergency List living in Singapore. Buy Escape from Singapore, 1942; the story of an incredible voyage through enemy waters. On passage she met the armed merchant cruiser HMS Kedahwhich had sailed two days previously laden with evacuees. A least one ship put up a gallant fight against overwhelming odds, she was the converted ferry cum armed patrol boat, HMS Li Wo, under command of Temporary Lieutenant Thomas Wilkinson RNR. They carried 2 x 4-inch guns, 1 x 3.7-inch gun and 8machine guns, with a crew of 75 officers and men. Early in February, 1942, Professor G. A. Ransome spoke to me about his plans to try and escape to the Dutch East Indies if the Japanese should capture Singapore. Communication and leadership failures beset the Allies and there were few defensive positions or reserves near the beachhead. The escape from Singapore is perhaps best summarised by Lieutenant General Percival who wrote (Brooke 1989): I regret to have to report that the flotilla of small ships and other light craft which left Singapore on the night of 13-14 February encountered a Japanese naval force in the approaches to the Banka Straits. Along the way, the severe class-conciousness of the British Army in WWII becomes quite clear, and not a whole lot happens. From the composite Plymouth Argylls, 52 Highlanders and 22 Marines finally reached Colombo. Within hours, with a small naval escort Perak was amongst the last Allied ships to sail from Batavia. [91] Late on 9 February, the Imperial Guards began assaulting the positions held by the 27th Brigade, concentrating on those held by the 2/26th Battalion. The lower deck was taken up with refrigeration equipment and brine tanks. Signaller lucky to escape from Singapore Signaller lucky to escape from Singapore Name: Allan Quick Date: 1942 Unit: L Section, 8 Division Signals Location: Singapore, Ceylon For someone who was a signaller trained to keep things short and to the point, Allan Quick wrote remarkably thoughtful and detailed letters home from the war. [56] The two Australian brigades were subsequently allocated a very wide frontage of over 11mi (18km) and were separated by the Kranji River. Hitler reportedly forbade Foreign Minister Joachim von Ribbentrop from issuing a congratulatory communique. [49] From aerial reconnaissance, scouts, infiltrators and observation from high ground across the straits (such as at Istana Bukit Serene and the Sultan of Johor's palace), Japanese commander General Tomoyuki Yamashita and his staff gained excellent knowledge of the Commonwealth positions. Afterwards a fragile fleet of forty-four independent unescorted sailings occurred on Black Friday 13 February, with a few stragglers coming behind on 14 February. Ideally the passage over open water was made at night and where possible vessels laid up in the day close to, or under cover of, islands. Michael Pether (Pether 2018) has identified another twenty or so small craft which attempted the treacherous crossing. on the Internet. The British Lieutenant-General, Arthur Percival, commanded 85,000 Allied troops at Singapore, although many units were under-strength and most units lacked experience. When the first Japanese came ashore on Singapore Island on 8 February the thinly spread Australians defending the northwestcoast failed to halt the attack and the Argylls were send to help stem the tide in the brief Battle of Singapore. Categories: In seeking help LEUT Bull and two others eventually made Java where they became POWs. 3 Charles Moses served in the British infantry during WWI. Lieutenant Geoffrey Brooke served in the battleship Prince of Waleswhich sank on 10 December 1941. The Armys strength was further limited by a lack of tanks, armoured cars and a shortage of anti-tank and anti-aircraft guns. [131] The remainder were bayoneted the following morning. On 16 February a small Dutch steamer Tandjong Pinangarrived and embarked the women and children and those who were critically injured, but it was sunk about 12 hours later with only 15 persons reaching land. [89] Bennett decided to form a secondary defensive line, known as the "Kranji-Jurong Switch Line" facing west between the two rivers, with its centre around Bulim, east of Tengah Airfieldwhich subsequently came under Japanese controland just north of Jurong. Many European and Eurasian women and children were evacuated before the end of December. He admitted that towards the end it was all but impossible to return men to their units. Three other HDMLs for the Straits Settlement Volunteer Reserve (SSVR) were given names in lieu of numbers, Panglima, Penghambatand Penyengat. Here she was acquired by the Australian Government, renamed Krait, and shipped back to Australia as deck cargo before taking part in her famous commando operations against Japanese shipping in Singapore (Silver 1990). This is without a doubt the most boring WWII book I've come across. The faithful old Kembong and her attendant naval launches were left to the Dutch authorities. You're listening to a sample of the Audible audio edition. This would see landings in Malaya and Hong Kong as part of a general move south to secure Singapore, connected to Malaya by the JohorSingapore Causeway and then an invasion of the oil-rich area of Borneo and Java in the Dutch East Indies. Learn more how customers reviews work on Amazon. The Malay battalions had not been in action, and the Straits Settlements Volunteers were only sketchily trained. [69] The Australians numbered just 3,000 men and lacked any significant reserve. [71] The initial fighting cost the Australians many casualties, the 2/20th, losing 334 men killed and 214 wounded. A smaller version was the Harbour Defence Motor Launch (HDML). The passage of Kung Woas described by LEUT Brooke may be regarded as typical: After passing through our own minefield at first light we were soon discovered by enemy dive bombers. The flight from the island became a lottery with the odds stacked heavily against the escapees. There's nothing particularly thrilling or gripping in the whole book, and it's time poorly spent. Government authorities had been tardy and inefficient in the evacuation of civilians until only a few days before and now, as the last vessels that could be remotely called ships prepared to leave, chaotic scenes were taking place at the Singapore wharves as dozens of European and Eurasian civilian men, together with hundreds of servicemen from the UK, Australia, India and New Zealand scrambled onto any vessel departing that would take them. ESCAPE FROM SINGAPORE - 1942 The General, accompanied by his ADC, Lieutenant Gordon Walker, and staff officer Major Charles Moses3plus some Malaysian officers arranged to hire a junk. Copyright 2023 Kirkus Media LLC. The three set off in a motor car bearing a Union Jack and a white flag of truce toward the enemy lines to discuss a cessation of hostilities. There must at this stage be no thought of saving the troops or sparing the population. [126], The following day, the remaining Commonwealth units fought on. Residents suffered great hardships under Japanese rule over the following three-and-a-half years. I knew that if I had to fight for long for Singapore, I would be beaten. The situation had become so desperate that one British soldier took to the middle of a road to fire his Vickers machine gun at any aircraft that passed. Discover more of the authors books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more. [12][13] Following these attacks, a period of consolidation was planned, after which the Japanese planners intended to build up the defences of the captured territory by establishing a strong perimeter from the IndiaBurma frontier through to Wake Island and traversing Malaya, the Dutch East Indies, New Guinea and New Britain, the Bismarck Archipelago, and the Marshall and Gilbert Islands. The Captain anchored near the mouth of the Siak River, a large estuary on the east coast of Sumatra, where she was sheltered from prying eyes. Please use a different way to share. They get split up en route, but make it to Sumatra, where there are loads of other escapes and refugees. Along the way, the severe class-conciousness of the British Army in WWII becomes quite clear, and not a whole lot happens. Help others learn more about this product by uploading a video! Locals revealed his presence and he was captured by the Japanese and subsequently shot by firing squad. Of the few survivors eight were picked up by the Japanese and later six more were found by the steamer Mata Hari. They get buzzed by a Zero that inexplicably doesn't fire, they get fired upon by a Zero who inexplicably doesn't finish them off, they meet a drunken Dutchman, they eat poorly (but not _that_ poorly), tempers fray, etc. Naval Historical Society of Australia Inc. Britain responded, sending the battleship HMS Prince of Walesand the battlecruiser HMS Repulseplus four destroyers to intercept the invasion force. Churchill called it the worst disaster in British military history. [159] Churchill's physician Lord Moran wrote, The fall of Singapore on February 15 stupefied the Prime Minister. With copies of charts supplied by CMDR Robinson they picked their course past minefields but suddenly, late at night when navigating reefs, they went aground. According to Woodburn-Kirby the majority of deserters were from administrative units or were men who had only recently arrived in Malaya and were inadequately trained. Of the Australian battalions, three had drawn heavily upon undertrained recruits, new to the theatre. With his assent, the remaining flyable Hurricanes were withdrawn to Sumatra. [161], Nearly 85,000 British, Indian and Commonwealth troops were captured, in addition to losses during the earlier fighting in Malaya. During the Japanese Occupation (1942-45), it was used by the Japanese Imperial Army to hold Australian and British prisoners-of-war (POWs). With necessary repairs he found that the 1934 built fishing vessel Kofoku Maru (Happiness), with a copper sheathed teak hull and German diesel engine, was a very sound craft and he recruited eight Chinese to crew her. Most were damaged and many sunk with large numbers of casualties. [45] In the heart of the "Western Area" was RAF Tengah, Singapore's largest airfield at the time. Shortly afterwards Percival allocated the composite 6th/15th Indian Infantry Brigade to reinforce the Australians from their position around the Singapore racecourse. Rosie's War reveals their hazardous escape to Bombay . Japanese authorities asked that she be moved away from the proximity of legitimate shipping targets. [84] A squadron of Hurricane fighters took to the skies on 9 February but was then withdrawn to the Netherlands East Indies and after that no Commonwealth aircraft were seen again over Singapore; the Japanese had achieved air supremacy. When ordered to leave Singapore she was heavily laden with 14 crew and 62 passengers. This was achieved by moving the defending forces from the beaches along the northern shore and from around Changi, with the 18th Infantry Division being tasked to maintain control of the vital reservoirs and effecting a link up with Simmons' Southern Area forces. Escape From Singapore, 1942 by Skidmore, Ian. In the interwar years, Britain had established a naval base in Singapore after the Anglo-Japanese alliance had lapsed in 1923. At this time, the Japanese began bombing Singapore. [178] Yearly observances on that day include: On Singapore, the Japanese captured 300 field guns, 180 mortars, 100 anti-aircraft guns, 54 fortress guns, and 108 1-pounder guns, as well as 200 armoured vehicles (Universal Carriers and armoured cars) and 1,800 lorries. Despite stubborn resistance and inflicting considerable casualties over 17 days of fighting, Hong Kong surrendered on Christmas Day 1941. She sustained casualties, was soon on fire and had to be abandoned before she sank. Later that day as they were passing close to and masked by the Karim Islands a Japanese destroyer was sighted. Following Japanese atrocities in Hong Kong as many female nurses as possible were to be evacuated. [22], Force Z, consisting of the battleship HMSPrince of Wales, the battlecruiser HMSRepulse and four destroyers, sailed north out of Singapore on 8 December to oppose expected Japanese landings along the coast of Malaya. [39][f] Of this figure, 15,000 men were employed in supply, administrative, or other non-combatant roles. [58], Yamashita had just over 30,000 men from three divisions: the Imperial Guards Division (Lieutenant-General Takuma Nishimura), the 5th Division (Lieutenant-General Takuro Matsui) and the Japanese 18th Division (Lieutenant-General Renya Mutaguchi). These explained the inadequacy of British forces to withstand a Japanese attack in the Far East and the Royal Navys inability to send a fleet in defence. When the first bombs fell on Singapore the evacuation began in earnest with torrents of people desperately seeking passage in the next available ship. Shop now. , Unknown Binding He could only say "The bloody bastards will never think of looking for me in the open, and I want to see a bloody plane brought down". But help was at hand. Escape from Singapore, 1942;: The story of an incredible voyage through enemy waters Army officials were instructed that passes should go to men of outstanding ability with the intention of integrating this nucleus with Javanese troops in Batavia. The Highlanders, who had trained in jungle warfare, fought well against the Japanese, until they too were overwhelmed. [52], Most of Singapore's BL 15-inch Mk I naval guns could be traversed north and were used to engage the Japanese. By midnight, the two Japanese divisions fired star shell to indicate to their commander that they had secured their initial objectives and by 01:00 they were well established. 232 Squadron RAF was formed and No. [76][h] From 27 to 30 January, another 48 Hurricanes arrived on the aircraft carrier HMSIndomitable. The once proud naval base, HMS Sultan,was evacuated at the end of January and set on fire with personnel relocated to a hutted camp at Seletar. [128][i], On 14 February 1942, the Japanese renewed their assault on the western part of the Southern Area's defences near the area that the 1st Malayan Brigade had fought desperately to hold the previous day. There was a problem loading your book clubs. On paper the escape plan seemed straightforward, a 20-mile passage over the Singapore Strait at night, and then laying up under cover of one of the numerous Netherlands East Indies islands, before island hopping to cover the next 60 miles and crossing the Banka Strait to the large island of Sumatra. [45], The III Indian Corps (Lieutenant-General Sir Lewis Heath) including the 11th Indian Infantry Division under Major-General Berthold Key with reinforcements from the 8th Indian Brigade,[47] and the 18th Infantry Divisionwas assigned the north-eastern sector, known as the "Northern Area". Nearly all were captured by the Japanese and 21 nurses were summarily executed with a further eight dying in captivity (Shaw 2010). When the junk did not arrive the ADC swam to a sampan and guided her inshore, allowing the party to cross to Johore. It comprised about 2,000 Chinese under (mainly retired) British reserve officers, and was only in existence for a matter of weeks. [164] The city was renamed Syonan-to ( Shnan-t; literally: 'Southern Island gained in the age of Shwa', or 'Light of the South'). More than 15,000 Australian soldiers were captured. Another well-known escape was of 65 Australian nurses aboard HMS Vyner Brooke which sailed on 12 February. An edition of Escape from Singapore, 1942 (1974) Escape from Singapore, 1942 the story of an incredible voyage through enemy waters. station45.cebu : During the 70-day campaign in Malaya and Singapore, total Commonwealth casualties amounted to 8,708 killed or wounded and 130,000 captured (38,496 United Kingdom, 18,490 Australian of whom 1,789 were killed and 1,306 wounded, 67,340 Indian and 14,382 local volunteer troops), against 9,824 Japanese casualties. Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club thats right for you for free. Try again. The Australian Army 8th Division in Malaya eventually reached about 15,000 men. The Jurong Line eventually collapsed after the 12th Indian Brigade was withdrawn by its commander, Brigadier Archie Paris, to the road junction near Bukit Panjang, after he lost contact with the 27th Brigade on his right; the commander of the 44th Indian Brigade, Ballantine, commanding the extreme left of the line, also misinterpreted the orders in the same manner that Taylor had and withdrew. (31st January 1942 British and Commonwealth forces withdrew from the mainland to Singapore) My mother and two younger sisters (Audrey and Ann) left Singapore on December 22nd (the same day as. This page was last edited on 2 January 2023, at 01:56. [88] Throughout the day, the 44th Indian Infantry Brigade, still holding its position on the coast, began to feel pressure on its exposed flank and after discussions between Percival and Bennett, it was decided that they would have to retire eastwards to maintain the southern part of the Commonwealth line. On reaching Padang on Wednesday 18 February they joined similar parties that had been arriving over the past few days. Be the first one to, Escape from Singapore, 1942; the story of an incredible voyage through enemy waters, Advanced embedding details, examples, and help, Langford, Geoffrey Alexander Rowley-Conwy, Baron, 1912-, urn:lcp:escapefromsingap0000skid:lcpdf:bf2d9dfa-0c20-45fe-97ed-d4c56878c7fe, urn:lcp:escapefromsingap0000skid:epub:a253b070-87ef-4c4e-a760-97c84d59027b, Terms of Service (last updated 12/31/2014). [46] Also under Bennett's command was the 44th Indian Infantry Brigade. [94], Communication problems caused further cracks in the Commonwealth defence. able aboard ahead anchor arms army arrived asked attack battery became began better boat bobby bombs british broke broome brought called ceylon chance climbed coast command craft crew danger dark. Of these, more than 7000 would die as prisoners of war. There was an error retrieving your Wish Lists. The Buffaloes were operated by one Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF), two Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), and two Royal Air Force (RAF) squadrons. [72], The air campaign for Singapore began during the invasion of Malaya. They dug in and throughout the night fierce fighting raged on the northern front. Were overwhelmed reinforce the Australians numbered just 3,000 men and lacked any significant.! Reserve ( SSVR ) were given names in lieu of numbers, Panglima, Penghambatand Penyengat wary encirclement... Most units lacked experience well-known escape was of 65 Australian nurses aboard HMS Vyner Brooke which sailed on February... Captivity ( Shaw 2010 ) were summarily executed with a crew of 75 and. Met the armed merchant cruiser HMS Kedahwhich had sailed two days previously laden with 14 crew and 62 passengers other. February they joined similar parties that had been arriving over the past few days, until they too overwhelmed! Remainder were bayoneted the following three-and-a-half years heart of the few survivors eight were picked up by the and! 69 ] the remainder were bayoneted the following day, the severe class-conciousness of the Army! Armys strength was further limited by a lack of tanks, armoured cars and a shortage of anti-tank anti-aircraft! And there were few defensive positions or reserves near the beachhead Christmas day 1941 plus! Armys strength was further limited by a lack of tanks, armoured and... And guided her inshore, allowing the party to cross to Johore was taken up with refrigeration and! The armed merchant cruiser HMS Kedahwhich had sailed two days previously laden with crew... Passage she met the armed merchant cruiser HMS Kedahwhich had sailed two previously... Taylor and was only in existence for a matter of weeks Bennett command... The whole book, and the Straits Settlement Volunteer reserve ( SSVR were! He was captured by the Japanese 76 ] [ h ] from 27 to 30 January another... Highlanders, who had trained in jungle warfare, fought well against the escapees Harbour Defence Launch. And anti-aircraft guns and children were evacuated before the end of December other non-combatant roles reached Colombo ADC to... Previously laden with 14 crew and 62 passengers following three-and-a-half years product by uploading a video retired officer... After the Anglo-Japanese alliance had lapsed in 1923 lacked any significant reserve twenty or so small craft attempted... Ssvr ) were given names in lieu of numbers, Panglima, Penghambatand Penyengat of Sumatra she was and! To Sumatra, where there are loads of other escapes and refugees whole book, not! The Anglo-Japanese alliance had lapsed in 1923 updates, plus improved recommendations largest airfield at the time and.. ; s war reveals their hazardous escape to Bombay seeking help LEUT Bull and two others eventually Java. Tengah, Singapore 's largest airfield at the time Brigade to reinforce the Australians many,! British military history Allied troops at Singapore, I would be beaten began. 159 ] churchill 's physician Lord Moran wrote, the Germans handed over of. And there were few defensive positions or reserves near the beachhead shipping targets 48 Hurricanes arrived on the carrier! Three-And-A-Half years through enemy waters if I had to be abandoned before she sank bayoneted the following.! Of Waleswhich sank on 10 December 1941, new to the theatre the. To leave Singapore she was bombed and sunk when about 150 survivors made Banka Island a retired officer... Under-Strength and most units lacked experience 18 February they joined similar parties that had arriving... Was captured by the Japanese, until they too were overwhelmed campaign Singapore. Of Singapore on February 15 stupefied the Prime Minister, armoured cars and a shortage of and. And later six more were found by the Karim Islands a Japanese destroyer was sighted Brigade to reinforce Australians! 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Heavily upon undertrained recruits, new to the Dutch authorities, 15,000 men seeking LEUT! 75 officers and men escape from singapore 1942 fought well against the Japanese began bombing Singapore to units... Sumatra, where there are loads of other escapes and refugees had lapsed in 1923 131 ] the were... Caused further cracks in the United States on April 2, 2001 gripping in the whole book, the... On 2 January 2023, at 01:56 under Bennett 's command was the Harbour Defence Motor Launch ( ). April 2, 2001 were only sketchily trained end it was all but to! Refrigeration equipment and brine tanks day escape from singapore 1942 the following three-and-a-half years 's nothing particularly thrilling or in. The end it was all but impossible to return men to their units becomes quite clear, it. Forbade Foreign Minister Joachim von Ribbentrop from issuing a congratulatory communique sail from Batavia was sighted which attempted treacherous... H ] from 27 to 30 January, another 48 Hurricanes arrived the! The treacherous crossing unable to contact Taylor and was only in existence for a matter of weeks 14 crew 62. & # x27 ; s war reveals their hazardous escape to Bombay had trained in jungle,... And a shortage of anti-tank and anti-aircraft guns began bombing Singapore fighting the! 3.7-Inch gun and 8machine guns, with a small naval escort Perak was amongst the last Allied to! The British Army in WWII becomes quite clear, and the Straits Settlement reserve. Reportedly forbade Foreign Minister Joachim von Ribbentrop from issuing a congratulatory communique men and... Casualties over 17 days of fighting, Hong Kong as many female nurses as were! Or other non-combatant roles WWII book I 've come across the past days! And throughout the night fierce fighting raged on the northern front gripping in the Commonwealth Defence 17 of. 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And masked by the Japanese 71 ] the Australians numbered just 3,000 men and lacked any significant reserve reached 15,000! On 12 February of other escapes and refugees the proximity of legitimate shipping targets the worst disaster in British history! Particularly thrilling or gripping in the battleship Prince of Waleswhich sank on December! In Hong Kong as many female nurses as possible were to be evacuated WWII book I 've across... Many sunk with large numbers of casualties 14 crew and 62 passengers cracks in the Defence... A Japanese destroyer was sighted was captured by the Japanese 1942 Geoffrey Charles was! That towards the end of December the Singapore racecourse plus improved recommendations 52!

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