First air raid on Singapore
Encyclopedia
The bombing of Singapore was an attack on 8 December 1941 by seventeen G3M Nell
bombers of Mihoro Air Group, Imperial Japanese Navy
, flying from Thủ Dầu Một
in southern Indochina
. The attack began at around 0430, shortly after Japanese forces landed on Kota Bharu
, British Malaya
. It was the first knowledge the Singapore population had that they were now in World War II
.
and 31 bombers of Mihoro Air Group. Their targets were RAF Tengah, RAF Seletar, Sembawang Naval Base and Keppel Harbour
.
Six squadrons from both air groups took off from southern Indochina on the night of 7 December 1941. Bad weather conditions were encountered while over the South China Sea
. Thick clouds offered poor visibility for the pilots, while rough winds caused most of the formations to become separated. After several attempts to regroup failed, Lieutenant Commander
Niichi Nakanishi, wing commander
of Genzan Air Group, ordered them to abort mission and return to base, thereby reducing the impact of a much heavier raid. Only seventeen G3M bombers of Mihoro Air Group reached Singapore on schedule, unobstructed by bad weather.
, Malaya
, almost an hour before they reached Singapore. Three Brewster Buffalo
fighters of No. 453 Squadron RAAF
were prepared for scrambling
at RAF Sembawang. However, Flight Lieutenant Tim Vigors' request to takeoff and intercept the Japanese bombers was denied. Air Chief Marshal
Robert Brooke-Popham
feared that the anti-aircraft batteries would fire on the friendly fighters, despite Vigors being an experienced night fighter
in the Battle of Britain
. He was supplemented by the belief that the Buffalo fighter was only suited for daylight fighting and could not be used at night. Paradoxically, there were 12 Bristol Blenheim
Mark IF night fighters of No. 27 Squadron RAF
stationed in Sungai Petani
, Malaya, but were being used as ground-attack aircraft.
The streets were still brightly lit despite air raid sirens going off at 0400, allowing pilot navigator
s to locate their targets without difficulty. There was no blackout as police and power station
officials were unable to find the employee who had the key to the central switch; they were searching for over 30 minutes when the bombers arrived. Only two practice blackouts were conducted in September 1941 before the raid. Allied anti-aircraft guns immediately opened fire. The battleship Prince of Wales and battlecruiser Repulse
also responded, but no aircraft was shot down. A formation of nine bombers flew over without releasing their bombs to draw the searchlights and anti-aircraft guns away from the other group. They were flying at 12,000 feet, while the second formation was at 4,000 feet.
bombers of No. 34 Squadron RAF
. A number of bombs also fell on Raffles Place
. 61 people were killed and more than 700 were injured. Most of the casualties were troops of the 2/2nd Gurkha Rifles, 11th Indian Infantry Division
. The Japanese bombers all returned safely to Thủ Dầu Một.
Though the bombing caused only minor damage to the airfields, it stunned the British Far East Command
. Despite intelligence reports of Japanese aircraft performance in the Second Sino-Japanese War
, the command did not believe Japan's air forces were capable of striking Singapore from airfields more than 600 miles away in Indochina. The raid came as a surprise to Lieutenant General
Arthur Percival, who "hardly expected the Japanese to have any very long-range aircraft."
In the days that followed, Singapore enjoyed a considerable respite from air raids, as the Japanese focussed their attacks on key aerodromes and Allied positions in northern Malaya. The next raid on the island occurred on the night of 16/17 December 1941, which in itself was merely a minor attack on RAF Tengah by two Japanese Ki-21s. Only on the night of 29/30 December did nightly raids resume in earnest on Singapore City. In contrast, daylight raids commenced much later, on 12 January 1942, following the fall of Kuala Lumpur to the Japanese the previous day and the shifting of the bulk of the JAAF to southern Malaya.
Singapore°N conflict=yes°W
Mitsubishi G3M
The Mitsubishi G3M was a Japanese bomber used during World War II.-Design and development:...
bombers of Mihoro Air Group, Imperial Japanese Navy
Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service
The Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service was the air arm of the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II, the organization was responsible for the operation of naval aircraft and the conduct of aerial warfare in the Pacific War.It was controlled by the Navy Staff of the Imperial Japanese Navy and...
, flying from Thủ Dầu Một
Thu Dau Mot
Thủ Dầu Một is the capital town of Binh Duong province, Vietnam. It is located at around .The town has an area of 88 km², population is 158,000, and is located 20 km north of downtown Ho Chi Minh City, on the left bank of the Saigon River, upstream from Ho Chi Minh City...
in southern Indochina
Indochina
The Indochinese peninsula, is a region in Southeast Asia. It lies roughly southwest of China, and east of India. The name has its origins in the French, Indochine, as a combination of the names of "China" and "India", and was adopted when French colonizers in Vietnam began expanding their territory...
. The attack began at around 0430, shortly after Japanese forces landed on Kota Bharu
Japanese Invasion of Malaya
The Japanese Invasion of Malaya, or Battle of Kota Bharu, began just after midnight on 8 December 1941 before the attack on Pearl Harbor...
, British Malaya
British Malaya
British Malaya loosely described a set of states on the Malay Peninsula and the Island of Singapore that were brought under British control between the 18th and the 20th centuries...
. It was the first knowledge the Singapore population had that they were now in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Background
The attack on Singapore was assigned to 34 bombers of Genzan Air GroupGenzan Air Group
was an aircraft and airbase garrison unit of the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service during the Second Sino-Japanese War and Pacific campaign of World War II.-History:...
and 31 bombers of Mihoro Air Group. Their targets were RAF Tengah, RAF Seletar, Sembawang Naval Base and Keppel Harbour
Keppel Harbour
Keppel Harbour is a stretch of water in Singapore between the mainland and the southern islands of Pulau Brani and Sentosa. Its naturally sheltered and deep waters was to meet the requirements of British colonists attempting to establish a Far East maritime colony in that part of the world, and...
.
Six squadrons from both air groups took off from southern Indochina on the night of 7 December 1941. Bad weather conditions were encountered while over the South China Sea
South China Sea
The South China Sea is a marginal sea that is part of the Pacific Ocean, encompassing an area from the Singapore and Malacca Straits to the Strait of Taiwan of around...
. Thick clouds offered poor visibility for the pilots, while rough winds caused most of the formations to become separated. After several attempts to regroup failed, Lieutenant Commander
Lieutenant Commander
Lieutenant Commander is a commissioned officer rank in many navies. The rank is superior to a lieutenant and subordinate to a commander...
Niichi Nakanishi, wing commander
Wing Commander (rank)
Wing commander is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries...
of Genzan Air Group, ordered them to abort mission and return to base, thereby reducing the impact of a much heavier raid. Only seventeen G3M bombers of Mihoro Air Group reached Singapore on schedule, unobstructed by bad weather.
The Attack
The Japanese formation was detected by a radar station in MersingMersing
Mersing is a town in Mersing District in the northeast corner of the state of Johor, Malaysia.Mersing town is a lively tourist town visited by Malaysians and foreign tourists....
, Malaya
British Malaya
British Malaya loosely described a set of states on the Malay Peninsula and the Island of Singapore that were brought under British control between the 18th and the 20th centuries...
, almost an hour before they reached Singapore. Three Brewster Buffalo
Brewster Buffalo
The Brewster F2A Buffalo was an American fighter aircraft which saw limited service early in World War II. Though the Buffalo won a competition against the Grumman F4F Wildcat in 1939 to become the US Navy's first monoplane fighter aircraft, it turned out to be a big disappointment...
fighters of No. 453 Squadron RAAF
No. 453 Squadron RAAF
No. 453 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force air traffic control unit. It was first was formed at Bankstown in New South Wales on 23 May 1941 during World War II and was disbanded in March 1942 after suffering heavy losses in combat during the Battle of Malaya...
were prepared for scrambling
Scrambling (military)
In military aviation scrambling or a scramble is the act of quickly getting fighter aircraft airborne to intercept hostile aircraft.-Historical use:...
at RAF Sembawang. However, Flight Lieutenant Tim Vigors' request to takeoff and intercept the Japanese bombers was denied. Air Chief Marshal
Air Chief Marshal
Air chief marshal is a senior 4-star air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force...
Robert Brooke-Popham
Robert Brooke-Popham
Air Chief Marshal Sir Henry Robert Moore Brooke-Popham, GCVO, KCB, CMG, DSO, AFC, was a senior commander in the Royal Air Force. During World War I he served in the Royal Flying Corps as wing commander and senior staff officer...
feared that the anti-aircraft batteries would fire on the friendly fighters, despite Vigors being an experienced night fighter
Night fighter
A night fighter is a fighter aircraft adapted for use at night or in other times of bad visibility...
in the Battle of Britain
Battle of Britain
The Battle of Britain is the name given to the World War II air campaign waged by the German Air Force against the United Kingdom during the summer and autumn of 1940...
. He was supplemented by the belief that the Buffalo fighter was only suited for daylight fighting and could not be used at night. Paradoxically, there were 12 Bristol Blenheim
Bristol Blenheim
The Bristol Blenheim was a British light bomber aircraft designed and built by the Bristol Aeroplane Company that was used extensively in the early days of the Second World War. It was adapted as an interim long-range and night fighter, pending the availability of the Beaufighter...
Mark IF night fighters of No. 27 Squadron RAF
No. 27 Squadron RAF
No. 27 Squadron of the Royal Air Force operates the Boeing Chinook HC2 from RAF Odiham.-The Great War:27 Squadron formed at Hounslow Heath Aerodrome on 5 November 1915, soon being equipped with Martinsyde Elephant fighter aircraft, hence the use of an elephant for the squadron badge...
stationed in Sungai Petani
Sungai Petani
Sungai Petani is a town in the state of Kedah, in the northern part of Peninsular Malaysia. Sungai Petani is the second largest town in Kedah after Alor Star.-Etmylogy:...
, Malaya, but were being used as ground-attack aircraft.
The streets were still brightly lit despite air raid sirens going off at 0400, allowing pilot navigator
Navigator
A navigator is the person on board a ship or aircraft responsible for its navigation. The navigator's primary responsibility is to be aware of ship or aircraft position at all times. Responsibilities include planning the journey, advising the Captain or aircraft Commander of estimated timing to...
s to locate their targets without difficulty. There was no blackout as police and power station
Power station
A power station is an industrial facility for the generation of electric energy....
officials were unable to find the employee who had the key to the central switch; they were searching for over 30 minutes when the bombers arrived. Only two practice blackouts were conducted in September 1941 before the raid. Allied anti-aircraft guns immediately opened fire. The battleship Prince of Wales and battlecruiser Repulse
HMS Repulse (1916)
HMS Repulse was a Renown-class battlecruiser of the Royal Navy built during the First World War. She was originally laid down as an improved version of the s. Her construction was suspended on the outbreak of war on the grounds she would not be ready in a timely manner...
also responded, but no aircraft was shot down. A formation of nine bombers flew over without releasing their bombs to draw the searchlights and anti-aircraft guns away from the other group. They were flying at 12,000 feet, while the second formation was at 4,000 feet.
Aftermath
The 'all-clear' signal was sent out at 0500 after the attack was over. The bombers succeeded in bombing the airfields at Seletar and Tengah, damaging three Bristol BlenheimBristol Blenheim
The Bristol Blenheim was a British light bomber aircraft designed and built by the Bristol Aeroplane Company that was used extensively in the early days of the Second World War. It was adapted as an interim long-range and night fighter, pending the availability of the Beaufighter...
bombers of No. 34 Squadron RAF
No. 34 Squadron RAF
No. 34 Squadron RAF was a squadron of the Royal Air Force. During the First World War it operated as a reconnaissance and bomber squadron, and in the 1930s operated light bombers...
. A number of bombs also fell on Raffles Place
Raffles Place
Raffles Place is a geographical location in Singapore, south of the mouth of the Singapore River. Located in the Downtown Core and the Central Area, it features some of the tallest buildings and landmarks of the country.-History:...
. 61 people were killed and more than 700 were injured. Most of the casualties were troops of the 2/2nd Gurkha Rifles, 11th Indian Infantry Division
11th Indian Infantry Division
The 11th Indian Infantry Division was an infantry division of the Indian Army during World War II. It formed part of Indian III Corps in the Malaya Command during the Battle of Malaya.-History:...
. The Japanese bombers all returned safely to Thủ Dầu Một.
British Far East Command
The Far East Command was a British military command which had 2 distinct periods. These were firstly, 18 November 1940 – 7 January 1942 succeeded by the American-British-Dutch-Australian Command , and secondly, 1963 – 1971 succeeded by Australia, New Zealand, and United Kingdom Force...
. Despite intelligence reports of Japanese aircraft performance in the Second Sino-Japanese War
Second Sino-Japanese War
The Second Sino-Japanese War was a military conflict fought primarily between the Republic of China and the Empire of Japan. From 1937 to 1941, China fought Japan with some economic help from Germany , the Soviet Union and the United States...
, the command did not believe Japan's air forces were capable of striking Singapore from airfields more than 600 miles away in Indochina. The raid came as a surprise to Lieutenant General
Lieutenant General
Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages where the title of Lieutenant General was held by the second in command on the battlefield, who was normally subordinate to a Captain General....
Arthur Percival, who "hardly expected the Japanese to have any very long-range aircraft."
In the days that followed, Singapore enjoyed a considerable respite from air raids, as the Japanese focussed their attacks on key aerodromes and Allied positions in northern Malaya. The next raid on the island occurred on the night of 16/17 December 1941, which in itself was merely a minor attack on RAF Tengah by two Japanese Ki-21s. Only on the night of 29/30 December did nightly raids resume in earnest on Singapore City. In contrast, daylight raids commenced much later, on 12 January 1942, following the fall of Kuala Lumpur to the Japanese the previous day and the shifting of the bulk of the JAAF to southern Malaya.
External links
Singapore°N conflict=yes°W