Operation Matador: World War II: Britain's Attempt to Foil the Japanese Invasion of Malaya and Singapore
Ong Chit Chung
Singapore: Marshall Cavendish, Editions, 2011
ISBN: 9789814328470

Operation Matador was the code-name for Britain's plan to defend Singapore during World War II.

When Singapore fell to the Japanese in February 1942, Churchill called it the "largest capitulation in British history." Till today, the myth persists that this was due to the British forces' being caught off-guard, with their guns facing the wrong direction, towards the sea.

In fact, the question of the landward defence of Singapore and Malaya was first raised as early as 1918, eventually taking the form of Operation Matador, the elaborate preparations for which amply demonstrate that the British fully expected the Japanese to attack Singapore from the rear, and had formulated a plan to stop the Japanese at the Kra Isthmus. Yet, when the Japanese forces landed, they found Malaya and Singapore defended by an emasculated fleet, obsolescent aircraft, inadequate artillery and no tanks.

In this classic volume, the author presents a gripping account of the events behind the scenes that delayed and effectively prevented the launch of Operation Matador.