Lecture and Curry Lunch – Singapore at War
In February 1937 Major General Dobbie, GOC Malaya Command, conducted a review as to how an enemy might invade Malaya and Singapore. Although his planning assumptions did not specify the enemy, Japan was recognised as the possible aggressor. Dobbie concluded that an attack would most likely be against the east coast of the Malayan peninsular during the monsoon season with amphibious landings in Siam and north-east Malaya. The enemy would quickly seize forward airfields before rapidly advance south before finally attacking Singapore across the Straits of Johore. The accuracy of Dobbie’s deductions would be proved correct in December 1941 when southern Malaya and Singapore would be captured by Japan during a devastating and humiliating 70 day campaign. This talk will consider the battle of Singapore, the Japanese occupation and finally the liberation in September 1945.
Lieutenant Colonel Mike Tickner is a retired Regular Army officer with a long term interest in the British Army in India and particularly the Far East campaigns. He regularly gives talks to military and civilian groups, clubs and museums and writes the occasional article. He has led battlefield studies to the India and South-East Asia, most recently to Singapore. He has completed operational tours in Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq, Afghanistan and Somalia.
The Armchair Battlefield Tour is followed by a two-course curry lunch.
SOLD OUT
Please be aware that this lecture is now sold out. To add yourself to the waiting list for this event, please email Operations@TheGurkhaMuseum.co.uk
