The British loss of Singapore in February 1942 was arguably the low point of the Second World War for a country that had been, by that stage, battling away for two-and-a-half years.

The reality as that Britain was having to fight for its survival at home and, increasingly, having to find resources to combat Rommel in the Desert.

Japan’s attack on Malaya and Singapore (as also Hong Kong and Burma) was, effectively, one problem too many.

However, the potential for Britain’s defeat and loss of these territories was exasperated by a number of factors including a long-term failure to properly defend the colonies, the appointment of lesser commanders, plus intelligence failings and spies.

This is the story about a series of remarkable poor decisions that completely compromised the defence of Malaya and Singapore leading to the biggest defeat in British military history.