There was a shortage of food and ammunition, and the Japanese had cut off water supply from Johore.

At the end of the meeting held at the Battle Box at Fort Canning, the British commanders concluded that there was no other choice but to surrender.

The British sent a delegation to discuss terms of the surrender with the Japanese, who by then had established their headquarters at the Ford Factory at Bukit Timah.

The first delegation was turned back by Lieutenant-Colonel Ichii Sugita, this was because Lieutenant-General Percival, General Officer Commanding Malaya, was not among the delegates.

A second delegation, led by Lieutenant-General Percival, comprising of Brigadier Newbigging, Brigadier Torrance, and Major Wild, made their way to the Ford Factory at 5.00pm that day.

Lieutenant-General Sugita, who spoke reasonably good English, assisted Lieutenant-General Tomoyuki Yamashita.

The meeting was the first time top-ranking officers from both armies met. (926KB)

Both had their own agendas. One demanded an unconditional surrender, the other wanted to negotiate. (982KB)

It was this day that the fate of Singapore took a turn for the worse, with serious implications on the lives of Singaporeans for the next three years and eight months.

• News article - Australian war memorial -
  "Roland Frank, Oakes' account of the defence of Malaya and Singapore" (2.3MB)