Winston Churchill described the loss of Singapore as the greatest disaster ever to befall British arms. Louis Allen analyzes the remote political causes of the Japanese campaign, gives an account of the events of the campaign, and then attempts to apportion responsibility for the defeat.
Aircraft: recommended Malaya establishment, 49â51; actual establishment, 51â3; obsolescence of most types, 52; lack of night fighters criticized, 222â3; losses during campaign, 270, 300; Vlielandâs views on air defence, 243â4; Percivalâs views on air defence (1937 lecture), 282, 284â5. See also Royal Air Force
types: Avro Lancaster, bomber, 39n.; Brewster Buffalo, fighter, 52, 223; Bristol Blenheim, bomber, 33, sights and reports invasion fleet, 109; Consolidated Catalina, rescue/reconnaissance flying-boat, sent to shadow invasion fleet, 106, shot down, 107; Fairey Swordfish, torpedo bomber, 52; Hawker Hurricane, fighter, 33, 132, 155, diverted to Russia, 50, comparison with Zero, 52, patrols over Singapore, 171; Lockheed Hudson, bomber, 109n., sights invasion fleet, 105â6, attacks by, on invasion force, 118, 244; Mitsubishi Zero, Japanese fighter, comparison with Hurricane, 52, seareconnaissance variant (getabaki), 107; Vickers Wildebeeste, bomber, 52, attacks by, on invasion force, 118
Air raids, 220â3; casualties, 21; precautions, 220â2; absence of night fighters, 222â3
