In April 1941, Lieutenant-General Arthur Percival was promoted to the position of General Officer Commanding, Malaya which oversaw the defence of Malaya (and Singapore). But just a little over two months after the Japanese invaded Malaya, Singapore would fall.

So how did Percival come to this position and to preside over the “worst disaster” and “greatest capitulation” in British military history?

Within hours of the Japanese Navy’s attack on Pearl Harbour, the Imperial Japanese Army invaded Malaya (now Malaysia) both through Thailand and by landing on its north-east coast at Kota Bahru. Just over two months later, the British-led allied forces in Singapore would surrender.