Japan attacks! (1937)(1939)(1941), Signing of Treaty(1940)

Meanwhile, in 1937, Japan invaded China. To protest against Japan's attack on China, countries like the United States of America(USA) cut off their oil supply to Japan. Japan then set their sights on Southeast Asia which was rich in oil and other raw materials.

Japan attacks China

In September 1939, war broke out in Europe.

Japan, in September 1940, signed a treaty of friendship with Germany and Italy, which called themselves the Axis Powers. While Germany wanted to be master of Europe, Japan wanted to be the master of Asia and the Pacific region. 

In 1941, more Indian, British and Australian troops arrived in Singapore to defend both Malaya and Singapore from a possible Japanese attack. On 2 December 1941, the battleships HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse arrived in Singapore. However, the British could not send more naval and air reinforcements because of its involvement in the war in Europe and North Africa. 

HMS Prince of Wales

HMS Repulse

On 7 December 1941, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor in Hawaii to destroy the American Pacific fleet. At the same time, the Japanese began their attacks on Malaya and other parts of Southeast Asia by air, sea and land. On 10 December 1941, HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse were sunk off the coast of Kuantan.

Sinking of HMS Prince of Wales

Watch a video on World War II -> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzqK7TC4inw

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