By 15 Feb, the situation for the over one million civilians in the City of Singapore became critical. Food, ammunition, petrol and water were almost exhausted.
General A.E. Percival, the British Commander in Singapore held a meeting with his officers at the British Underground Command Centre at Fort Canning. They felt they could not win and decided to surrender to the Japanese.General Percival and his chief staff officer were received by General Yamashita, Commander of the Japanese 25th Army, at the Ford Factory in Bukit Timah. Percival’s request for more time to consider was flatly refused. Yamashita demanded the unconditional surrender of the British garrison.Percival signed the terms of surrender. Fighting ceased. Although it was Chinese New Year’s Day, an eerie calm settled over Singapore after the horrors of that week’s fighting. Singapore was renamed Syonan-to – Light of the South.Captain Leach were among the 840 men who lost their lives that day.
Citation: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Surrender_of_Singapore
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