Singapore WW2 I.

This is coolbert:

Continuing once more extracts with my commentary WW2 headlines from:

"THE NEW YORK TIMES
COMPLETE WORLD WAR II
The Coverage of the Entire Conflict"

Headlines: "COVERAGE from the BATTLE FIELD to the HOME FRONT"

SEPTEMBER 30, 1941

"BRITISH CONFIDENT AT SINGAPORE BASE"

"Steady Improvement Has Made Far Eastern Bastion Even More Formidable"

By F. Tillman Durdin

Wireless to The New York Times

"SINGAPORE, Sept. 29 - - The British now face the possibility of war in the Pacific 'without anxiety,' Vice Admiral Sir Geoffrey Layton, Commander in Chief of the British fleet based on Singapore, told this correspondent today in an interview at his shore headquarters at the famous Singapore naval base."

"Asked to give an indication of the increase of British strength at Singapore, Sir Geoffrey said that if Singapore had been attacked a year ago the defenders 'would have had definite cause for anxiety.' 'Now,' he said, 'we view the possibility of attack without anxiety.'"

DECEMBER 4, 1941

"SINGAPORE DOUBTS JAPANESE THREATS"

"Arrival of the British Fleet is expected to cause Tokyo To Order General Retreat"

By F. Till Durdin

Wireless to The New York Times

"SINGAPORE, Dec. 3 - - Authorities here agree that the arrival of powerful British naval units, headed by the new battleship Prince of Wales, yesterday raises the odds against Japan more than ever".

Singapore a consideration of minor importance to the British prior  to 7 December 1941? Tin and rubber EXPORTS from the Malay State colonies valuable commodities essential to the cost of the British war effort.

CONFIDENCE OF THE BRITISH GENERAL PERCIVAL AND HIS STAFF OVER-DONE AND MOST MISTAKENLY SO! ARTHUR PERCIVAL BY ALMOST ANY MEASURE A POOR, UNINSPIRING COMMANDER, NOT AWARDED ANY DECORATION IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE WAR!!

coolbert.