BBC2 Wednesday evening - Fall of Singapore documentary

[eharding]

Not sure if this is a repeat, but they're currently showing a documentary about the fall of Singapore, currently detailing how we gave the Japanese carrier technology in the 1920s

[Nicholas Blair]

Repeated from Monday or thereabouts.

Thought it was pretty interesting myself.

Nick

[disco1]

I found this fascinating. I just don't get why the pilot and carrier specialist weren't charged with treason + a long drop as they're were activily sharing info with our enemy despite many warnings not to and getting a few $$$ from Japan for their troubles.

[Simpo Two]

A coupe of years ago another prpogramme said that Singpore fell because a ship carrying secret documents about its defences was captured by the Germans and the info passed to the Japanese.

[disco1]

Simpo Two said:

A coupe of years ago another prpogramme said that Singpore fell because a ship carrying secret documents about its defences was captured by the Germans and the info passed to the Japanese.

Singapore fell because we pointed the guns/fortification the wrong way (out to sea) and the guy in charge lost his bottle and waived the white flag too early, by all accounts we had more than enough troops/support to hold off the Japanese.

[mrmaggit]

Simpo Two said:

A coupe of years ago another prpogramme said that Singpore fell because a ship carrying secret documents about its defences was captured by the Germans and the info passed to the Japanese.

You're talking about the Kormoran, Q-ship or auxilliary cruiser if you like, captured secret documents from the MV Automedon, resulted in the captain (sorry, Herr Kapitan) receiving one of only three katanas given to the Germans by the Japanese during WW2. Adolf and IIRC Herman were the other two recipients.

Finally sank after engaging and sinking HMAS Sydney.

[Eric Mc]

disco1 said:

Singapore fell because we pointed the guns/fortification the wrong way (out to sea) and the guy in charge lost his bottle and waived the white flag too early, by all accounts we had more than enough troops/support to hold off the Japanese.

It was due to failure of nerve as much as anything else. Also, over reliance on less than enthusiastic Commonwealth, particularly Indian troops who did not feel wholly supportive of maintaining the Empire.

The British were essentially arrogant and totally and absolutely underestimated the resolve and daring of the Japanese and therefore allocated poor troops and poor and inadequate equipment to defend the region.

Percival to me was the final nail in the coffin. He was simply not up to the job.

[Smiler.]

disco1 said:

I found this fascinating. I just don't get why the pilot and carrier specialist weren't charged with treason + a long drop as they're were activily sharing info with our enemy despite many warnings not to and getting a few $$$ from Japan for their troubles.

Yep, beggars belief.

Unless Lord McTraitor had too much establishment filth on too much of the establishment.

Even WSC seemed to about-turn.

Cold comfort for the thousands condemned to a horrible death in the camps.