(Japanese Rising Sun Flag) By the morning of 15 February, the Japanese had broken through the last line of defence and the Allies were running out of food and ammunition. The anti-aircraft guns had also run out of ammunition and were unable to repel any further Japanese air attacks which threatened to cause heavy casualties in the city centre. Looting and desertion by Allied troops further added to the chaos in the city centre.
A deputation was selected to go to the Japanese headquarters. It consisted of a senior staff officer, the colonial secretary and an interpreter. They set off in a motor car bearing a Union Jack and a white flag of truce toward the enemy lines to discuss a cessation of hostilities. They returned with orders that Percival himself proceed with staff officers to the Ford Motor Factory, where Yamashita would lay down the terms of surrender. A further requirement was that the Japanese Rising Sun Flag be hoisted over the tallest building in Singapore, the Cathay Building, as soon as possible to maximise the psychological impact of the official surrender. Percival formally surrendered shortly after 17:15.
(The Cathay Building, Now known as The Cathay)
The terms of the surrender included:
- The unconditional surrender of all military forces (Army, Navy and Air Force) in Singapore.
- Hostilities to cease at 20:30 that evening.
- All troops to remain in position until further orders.
- All weapons, military equipment, ships, planes and secret documents to be handed over intact.
- To prevent looting, etc., during the temporary withdrawal of all armed forces in Singapore, a force of 1,000 British armed men to take over until relieved by the Japanese.
We noticed that the rising sun flag is being hung almost everywhere and i was curious what was it all about, i asked my neighbor and they told me that the British surrendered and i cant believe it. they ordered us to hang their rising sun flag out our window before the Japanese walk by if not we will be punished severely.
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