GRIM STRUGGLE TO LAST

Waikato Times, Volume 130, Issue 21655, 16 February 1942, Page 5

GRIM STRUGGLE TO LAST

REMNANT OF FORCES SURROUNDED ACCEPTANCE OF TERMS FOUND INEVITABLE MR CHURCHILL’S CALL TO BRITISH EMPIRE LONDON, Feb. 15 Singapore Island has surrendered to the Japanese. With the Allied forces surrounded in the city and in the centre of the island, further resistance became impossible. The British, according to Japanese information, sent four officers to the enemy lines to receive the Japanese terms. Lieutenant-General Percival signed the capitulation on behalf of the Allies. Even the Japanese admit that the British forces fully maintained the British tradition, even beyond the limit of human endurance. The surrender was made at 7 o’clock on Sunday evening. The fact was admitted by Mr Winston Churchill, who said that the Allies had suffered a far-reach-ing military defeat. In a message of sympathy and encouragement Mr Churchill reminded the Empire that it was not alone; that three-quarters of the human race was marching with it towards eventual victory. It was now for the British to show the steadfastness and genius of which they were capable, to snatch their fortunes back from the jaws of death. The British troops maintained a furious resistance in Singapore until the end. The Allies, too late, used tanks for the first time and wrought havoc among the enemy. The enemy, however, used every kind of weapon and appeared to attack the city from all sides. It was reported that there was heavy fighting even at the docks.