TENSE HOUR
JAPANESE ACCOUNT OF SINGAPORE SURRENDER MEETING OF COMMANDERS. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, 12.15 p.m.) NEW YORK, February 16. The Tokio official radio described the surrender of Singapore as a tense hour and said the first move was made by three officers, bearing a white flag to the Japanese lines. Their proposals were rejected, after which for two hours the Japanese continued their attack. Then Lieutenant-General Percival, accompanied by Major C. H. Wilde and other members of his staff, motored to the Ford plant and met LieutGeneral Yamashita and others. General Yamashita said: “I-wish your replies to be brief and to the point. I will listen only to unconditional surrender. Have you captured any Japanese soldiers?” General Percival: “None.” General Yamashita: “What about Japanese civilians?” General Percival: “They have all been interned and sent to India. Their lives are fully protected.” General Yamashita: “I want to hear whether you wish to surrender.” General Percival: “Will you give me until tomorrow?” General Yamashita: “I cannot wait.” General Percival: “Give me five hours.” General Yamashita: “Then we continue our attack meanwhile.” General Percival remained silent. General Yamashita insisted on an answer and General Percival finally said softly, “Yes.”
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Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 February 1942, Page 4
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199TENSE HOUR Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 February 1942, Page 4
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