Yes Pete M, the Australians troops did do okay on the Malay Peninsula but when they pulled back into Singapore they, and poor old Percival, weren't helped by the fact that our general, Gordon Bennett, opted out and left his men in the field. He fled back to Aust. and when our gov't asked him why, he gave the weak excuse that he had to bring back knowledge of Japanese fighting tactics. He was never given a field command again. A good percentage of the leaderless men he left behind pulled out of the front line and looted and boozed in Singapore City. My uncle was captured in Malaya and spent the next 3 years on the Burma Railway. Whilst Percival may not have been the ablest of generals I don't think the loss of Singapore can be laid at his door. At least he stayed with his men, and went into captivity with them. He wasn't a Bennett or a McArthur.

JG. F.M.E.