Last desperate hours in Singapore

13th February 1942: Chaos and confusion reign as Japanese bombing and shelling brings indiscriminate death and destruction

Tamil workmen clearing debris in Singapore after a Japanese air raid, 16 January 1942.

Once the Japanese had established themselves on the island of Singapore it appears to have been impossible to mount a co-ordinated defence. The Japanese gained a foothold on the island unexpectedly easily in the north west - and the prepared plan for the defence of th…