Accession Number:

ADA279593

Title:

Bicycle Blitzkrieg: The Malayan Campaign and the Fall of Singapore

Descriptive Note:

Final rept.

Corporate Author:

NAVAL WAR COLL NEWPORT RI DEPT OF OPERATIONS

Personal Author(s):

• Headrick, Alan C.

Report Date:

1994-02-08

Pagination or Media Count:

30.0

Abstract:

Japans December 1941- February 1942 invasion of Malaya and culminating conquest of Singapore is analyzed from an operational perspective. Although overshadowed by better known Pacific Theater actions in World War II, the campaign was Japans most successful example of joint warfare and replete with lessons for the modern operational commander. Approached from the level of the commander and staff, the background and decision making processes are reviewed, with applicable areas identified for todays leaders. The need for aggressive leadership, accurate intelligence, flexible application of power, adjustment of force based on environmental conditions, and the value of logistics are the major lessons from the Japanese victory. Poor leadership and futility of trying to defend too much are among those lessons from the defeated British.

Descriptors:

• *MILITARY FORCES(FOREIGN)
• *JAPAN
• *SINGAPORE
• *JOINT MILITARY ACTIVITIES
• MILITARY HISTORY
• INTELLIGENCE
• BACKGROUND
• BALANCE OF POWER
• UNITED KINGDOM
• MALAYA
• STRATEGIC WARFARE
• LESSONS LEARNED
• LOGISTICS MANAGEMENT
• DECISION MAKING
• LEADERSHIP

Subject Categories:

• Military Operations, Strategy and Tactics

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE