The Northern Advocate “NORTHLAND FIRST” Registered for transmission through the post as a Newspaper THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1942. The Lesson Of Singapore

Northern Advocate, 19 February 1942, Page 2

The Northern Advocate “NORTHLAND FIRST” Registered for transmission through the post as a Newspaper THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1942. The Lesson Of Singapore

THE Sinpagore correspondent of “The Times” has supplied his paper with answers to his own question: Why did Singapore fall? The answers make distressing reading. However, even if they should not be convincing in every detail—and he would be reckless who refused to discern solid sense in the answers as a whole—the recital should stir British people to a realisation that if they do not cultivate the spirit which brought them greatness in days gone by, they will fall by the wayside. The surrender of the British forces on the island of Singapore was not due to cowardice or unreadiness on the part of the troops to hold on while life lasted. Rather has it been made clear that the defenders of the city of Singapore were placed in an untenable position. With a million civilians cooped up in a small area, with the water supply cut off, with death and destruction raining on the garrison, with no hope of relief, and with no chance of escape from the island there was no alternative but to surrender, bitter gall though that must have been to the British commander and rank and file alike.

Obviously the seeds of the fall of Singapore were sown long ago. In the first place the existence of the naval base proved the undoing of Allied plans for the defence of Malaya and Singapore island. Changed circumstances revealed it as a broken reed, while the claims made as to the base’s strength as a fortress was bluff which deceived only ourselves. The defence of Malaya was obviously complicated by the advantage which Japan obtained from Indo-China and Thailand, followed by the disaster to the battleship Prince of Wales and the heavy cruiser Repulse, but it would appear that the high command did not manifest the wisdom which might have been expected. Not only were many of the troops weakened by long sojourn in the sweltering heat of Malaya, but others who had spent 11 days on troopships en route from winter conditions in Britain, were plunged straightaway into the steaming jungle. It is incredible that such a thing should have been done. There is little wonder that the long retreat of 500 miles should have dispirited the defenders, who were unprotected by air power. Added to the difficulties of a military nature was the unhelpful attitude of the Asiatics on Singapore island. According to the correspondent of “The Times,” this was a very serious matter. It indeed provides food for thought on more grounds than one, which readily suggest themselves. This is apparent in view of the obvious attempts by the Japanese to drive a wedge between India and Britain and between China and Britain, while Germany is busily engaged upon the same errand so far as the United States and Britain are concerned.

Clearly the enemy is determined to use to the utmost possible extent the poison of propaganda, which is an intimate ally of military power. This constitutes an overwhelming reason why the people of the British Empire should recognise the need for the dropping of everything calculated to irritate or set one class against another. They, and their allies, are in the same boat, and must pull together if they are to reach shore and safety from the aggressors. The fall of Singapore will not have been in vain if it awakens this realisation.