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Don't Forget the 'Forgotten Army' - Remembering the Fall of Singapore - 1942 - 2012

• Message 1.Β 

  Posted by Jon (U14705221) on Tuesday, 11th January 2011

  I am a little concerned that the fall of Singapore and the flawed battle for Malaya will be overlooked in 2012 as the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ concentrates on recalling the Allied victories in the deserts of the Middle East and not Britain's greatest wartime defeat and the sacrifice of so many men.
  
  I would be interested to know what the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ has in the pipeline for 2012 and if the war in the Far East is to be a part of the schedule. Its time the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ (and ABC for that matter), went some way in addressing the one sided potrayal from the American TV production companies that they, and the Marine Corps in particular, somehow won the war against Japan on their own. You can bet your bottom dollar that Pearl Harbour, Corregidor and Bataan will recieve ample coverage but will the fall of Singapore? Who better to tell the Commonwealth side of the story than the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ?
  
  

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• Message 2

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by cloudyj (U1773646) on Tuesday, 11th January 2011

  I would be interested to know what the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ has in the pipeline for 2012 and if the war in the Far East is to be a part of the schedule. Its time the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ (and ABC for that matter), went some way in addressing the one sided potrayal from the American TV production companies that they, and the Marine Corps in particular, somehow won the war against Japan on their own. You can bet your bottom dollar that Pearl Harbour, Corregidor and Bataan will recieve ample coverage but will the fall of Singapore? Who better to tell the Commonwealth side of the story than the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ?Β 
  
  Jon, I think your last line says it all. American TV companies targetting American audiences have to chase ratings, which means history of American victories. If British documentary makers don't do a proper job of covering British history, we shouldn't expect American companies to make up for it. I'd be keen to see a documentary about the Sino-Japanese war which soaked up most of the Japanese military effort, but I doubt anyone here in the UK or in the USA will make such a programme.

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• Message 3

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  Posted by rhmnney (U14528380) on Tuesday, 11th January 2011

  Regarding Americans taking all the credit for the defeat of the Japanese army in the Pacific, all the American documentaries I've ever watched in the USA use the term, "Allied Landings", never "American Landings", the same with naval battles always "Allied" for battles, however speaking of attacked battleships and or sunk the name is given as the American battleship.
  
  As regards Singapore, on American TV the Japanese commander who took it gave his opinion of the British troops defending it. He stressed that his force was inferior in numbers and arms and for him it was a cake walk, (my description, judging by his account, hard to describe it as a Battle).
  

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• Message 4

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  Posted by caveman1944 (U11305692) on Sunday, 23rd January 2011

  So it was,....a cake walk. though in saying that I was with HAA, RA., Singapore.
  However, things come to mind which should have done a long time ago.
  You could replace all who were in defense of that penninsular with others and have the same result.
  Now in Burma, retreat was possible , leaving space and time to regroup and train., and the Jap Navy not a factor.
  Americans retreated too in the early stages.
  John

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  Posted by Mutatis_Mutandis (U8620894) on Sunday, 23rd January 2011

  Its time the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ (and ABC for that matter), went some way in addressing the one sided potrayal from the American TV production companies that they, and the Marine Corps in particular, somehow won the war against Japan on their own.Β 
  
  I think realism more or less requires on to acknowledge that actually, the Americans did win the war against Japan almost on their own. That is not to diminish the efforts of Commonwealth forces, the Chinese, or other allies; or the contribution the Soviets made in 1945. Ultimately, however, the war-winning offensive against Japan was largely an American effort, and the other allies fought mostly defensive or holding actions. The few succesful offensives were of local importance only.
  
  In the case of British forces, that was by choice, as London held to the "Germany First" policy far more rigidly than Washington. British commanders did indeed resent the scale of the effort the USA made in the Pacific, which they felt prolonged the war in Europe. On the other hand, when substantial British forces finally became available, the Americans felt that they didn't need them. Admiral King, never one to endear himself too much to his allies, want as far as describing the offered RN fleet as a "liability".
  
  It is only right that the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ should gove some time to recall the events in Malaya, Singapore, Hong Kong and other colonies; and later, to the difficult struggle of the British-Indian army in Burma. But if the Americans want to focus mostly on their own role in this war, it would be unfair to criticise them for it, as long as they show some respect for the boundaries of historical accuracy.
  
  

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• Message 6

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  Posted by White Camry (U2321601) on Monday, 24th January 2011

  Jon:
  
  Its time the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ (and ABC for that matter), ... Β 
  
  Would you include NBC, CBS, CNN, TBS and FOX? The History Channel, The Military Channel, Comedy Central, MTV, VH1, BET, TVG, ESPN, HRTV, the Cartoon Channel and TCM? C-Span and PBS? Youtube and Hulu?
  
  Or perhaps you meant the Australian Broadcasting Corporation? After all, the Aussies were in the fight, too.

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