Seventy Days To Singapore

by Stanley L. Falk

December 8 1941, Japanese troops took just 70 days to crush the British Empire forces in Malaya and Singapore, which was surrendered on 15 February 1942. The Japanese had already captured Rabaul, the capital of New Guinea, in 1942

Genres: History

301 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1975

Reviews

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely superb history of the seventy days it took the Japanese from the invasion of Malaya to the surrender of Singapore by the British. Written m such a way one can feel the growing desperation as defense line after defense line collapsed and the allies retreated into what was thought to be fortress Singapore. The author clearly points out the military and political circumstances that contributed to the disaster as well as the successful tactics of the Japanese that enabled a victory so quickly they were unprepared for it. I am planning an upcoming trip to Singapore so the book was especially meaningful. If one is looking for an easy answer and a single scapegoat it is more complicated that that. Sadly , the brutality of the Japanese meant that the POW's and the civilian survivors endured three years of torture and abuse. Winston Churchill comes in for some criticism as well as he insisted the British fight to the last. The fall of Singapore and Hong Kong ended the myth of British superiority and certainly speeded up the dissolution of the empire after the war. Great book, excellent maps and tragic story.

[Jack · Rating 5 out of 5]

A rare excellent book. I have been searching for one on Singapore for years to tell me this remote story of WWII. Well worth the read.