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I had been researching the background to Special Operations Executive so called failure in Singapore. In doing so I came across a reference to a plan of action for the defence of Singapore codenamed "Matador." In fact there were Two plans, so totally different, that in the end they contributed to the downfall of Singapore Both had their weaknesses. One of the major ones was the lack of co-ordination and command between the Army, Navy and Air Force that I will outline. The other and more serious, a clash of ideals. It was a disaster looking for a place to happen. Prior to the Attack, the control of the three services were directly administered from London. So Brook-Popham the man in charge on the spot, had little control over the immediate military situation. Also just as important, he had no authority over the Civilian population in case of an impending war. This came under the direct control of Shenton–Thomas the Governor of Singapore, and to all intents and purposes he had absolute control |
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The only recourse Brook-Popham had to any control of the forces was directly to the Chiefs of Staff in London. This was to be remedied at a stage that it also would contribute to the fall of Singapore The first indication of a possible Japanese invasion came when France fell in June 1940. With the fall of France its dependencies like French Indo China were subject to invasion. French Indo China was to be the staging post for the very attack Matador had been devised to act against. In this the reports of Japanese activities were known and were appreciated by the Intelligence services, that of SIS and SOE. They reported daily, and a weekly summery was sent to Singapore and London HQ
My father who knew of these reports said later, "the ones in Whitehall and Singapore said we were war mongering and that nothing would come of it" |
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