On This Day ... in 1942 & 1968
Lieutenant General Arther Percival surrendered Singapore, the worst defeat in British military history, the prospects for further defensive operations being hopeless. 130,000 military personnel entered captivity, which many did not survive
Born in Aspenden, Hertsfordshire, on 26 Decemeber 1887. Percival was educated at Rugby School and worked in London with Naylor, Benzon & Company Limited from 1907-1914. He was wounded in France in World War I and continued to serve in the army, finally being appointed General Officer Commanding Malaya. He surrendered to the Japanese on Sentosa Island, Singapore, February 1942 and spent the rest of the war in captivity in Manchuria. He died on 31 January 1966.
1968: The first test-firing of a Polaris missile from a Royal Navy submarine - HMS Resolution - was successfully conducted
Comments
So, are you skiing, or living in the basement, eating take-away?
Posted by: Fred Z | February 15, 2009 5:31 AM
The Battle of Singapore - The British Army basically surrendered without firing a shot. That was a very dark day in English History. And it scared the hell out of the rest of the World as well, about Japanese Invincibility against the strongest Army in the World.
Posted by: Gunny | February 14, 2010 8:18 PM