Fall of ' Fortress ' Singapore - Australians

Delancey

Over the years I have seen a number of T.V. documentaries concerning the collapse of British resistance in Singapore in early 1942 - I think it important to note these programmes were all British produced.

They all refer to the well-known shortcomings of the defence - from poor planning and equipment to a view of Japanese soldiers predicated by racism , etc.

Another thing they all mention is that as the ' noose ' was tightened Australian troops ( always Aussies btw ) forced civilians , women and children included , off evacuation ships at gunpoint and bayonet point to enable them ( the Australians ) to get out and save their own skin.

Did this happen at all ? I have been unable to find anything written about it other than references to '' panic in the docks '' , is there any basis of fact for this ? I would be interested to get any hard information on this and would be especially delighted to hear an Australian perspective.

Mahatma coat

the Shortcomings of the DefenceoSingapore were only obvious after the fall.

Bear in mind that it was ostensibly A Naval base to defend shiping routes, al the defences looked outto sea, and had the Japanese tried to sail in they would have been destroyed, the Jungle onthe peninsula to the rear of singapore was considered impenetrenable, Right up to the point thatthe Imperial Japanesearmy swarmed out of it.


as for PAnic on he Docks, a hell of a lot of Australian troops were captured in Singapore, maybe some escaped, but pulling civilians off boats that sounds a bit Bullsh1t

Fratton Fred

I've seen several documentaries on the fall of Singapore and I've never seen the Aussies portayed like that before.

I must watch too much American TV.

Delancey

Alas I cannot remember the names of any but they are shown on channels like History , etc. They all make the same allegation about Australian troops - given the paucity of evidence though I must admit I have my doubts.