Lieutenant-General Tomoyuki Yamashita

1. Lieutenant-General Tomoyuki Yamashita

2. About him • Imperial Japanese Army general during WWII • Most famous for conquering the British colonies of Malaya and Singapore • Given the title ‘Tiger of Malaya’

3. Training the army • Under jungle conditions • Rehearsed amphibious landings • Blew up bridges and then repair them • Used bicycles instead of horses or motor transport • Soldiers performed drills over and over again Amphibious: able to use either land or water

4. What does this tell you about Yamashita ? Getting the soldiers to practice their drills to perfection. Using bicycle as their mode of transport. Familiarise his army with the jungle conditions so that they not fearful. Ensuring that his army was well-prepared.

5. Good leadership skills Not Complacent Able to consider the big picture

6. When the Japanese landed in Malaya • A Japanese patrol found a map with every defensive position marked around Jitra • Japanese commanders thus knew where the British guns and defensive position was situated • Yamashita coordinated his tanks and soldiers to move towards Jitra

7. What they Gained: Yamashita had prepared to give up a thousand casualties to take Jitra but he lost only 37 men. Trucks and armored cars Machine guns Three-month supply of rations and ammunition Artillery pieces

8. The Fake Attack • Intense bombings at Changi to mislead the British • Attacked PulauUbin to make it even more convincing • British fell for the trick and moved their defences from the northwest to the northeast

9. Attacking Singapore • Had 30 000 men • Outnumbered by about three to one • Short of gasoline for his tanks and ammunition for his guns

10. What Yamashita did: • Ordered his artillery to use explosives on the enemy • Tricked British into thinking that the Japanese troops were being reinforced and that new supplies of men and ammunition had been sent. Artillery: the part of the army which uses  large guns that are moved on wheels or metal tracks,

11. What does this tell you about Yamashita ? Tricking the British into thinking that they had a large troop and their supplies were abundant. Misleading the British to move their defences. Continuing with the attack even though he was in an unfavourable situation. Giving false signals to the British.

12. Good analysing skills Exceptional at planning and executing his strategy Adamant: Refusing to be persuaded or to change one's mind.

13. British’s surrender • Yamashita wanted them to surrender immediately and unconditionally • The British tried to stall for time • Yamashita demanded that he want either a ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ as an answer

14. "My attack on Singapore was a bluff - a bluff that worked. I had 30,000 men and was outnumbered more than three to one. I knew that if I had to fight for long for Singapore, I would be beaten. That is why the surrender had to be at once."

15. What does this tell you about Yamashita ? Only accepted ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ as an answer. Calling the shots even though his situation was worse off.

16. Formidable: Inspiring fear or respect Firm and determined Did not allow his opponent to see his weaknesses.