Final Conference

On 15 February 1942, which was the Chinese New Year, the British had a final conference at the Fort Canning bunker. Lieutenant-General Percival wanted to discuss ways to counter-attack but his commanders were against the idea. They felt that there were too many problems and the soldiers were tired. More men would be killed if they were to engage the Japanese in street fighting. Furthermore, their supplies of food and water were running out. TO prevent further bloodshed, the British opted for surrender. On 15 February 1942, Japanese Lieutenant-Colonel Sugita led Percival and his delegation to the Ford Motor Factory to negotiate the surrender terms.

The Ford Motor Factory in 1942

The old Ford Motor Factory is now known as 'Memories at Old Ford Factory'

At the negotiating table, Percival met Lieutenant-General Tomoyuki Yamashita for the first time. The British gave in and surrendered to the Japanese.

After getting Yamashita to agree not to enter the city until the following morning, 16 February 1942, Percival signed the surrender agreement at 6.10p.m. on 15 Feburary 1942.
Here is how Yamashita reflected on the fall of Singapore :
" My attack on Singapore was a bluff - a bluff that worked. I had 30,000 men and was outnumbered more than three to one. I knew that if I had to fight long for Singapore, I would be beaten. That was why the surrender had to be at once. I was very frightened the whole time that the British would discover our numerical weakness and lack of supplies, and force me into disastrous street fighting "
Adapted from Singapore: An Illustrated History 1941-1984


Information taken from : Marshall Cavendish Education (2007). SINGAPORE FROM SETTLEMENT TO NATION PRE-1819 TO 1971. Singapore. MOE Building