Louis Allen analyzes the remote political causes of the Japanese campaign, gives an account of the events of the campaign, and then attempts to apportion responsibility for the loss of Singapore.

Introduction: victory and defeat; why Singapore?; Japan's course for war; the role of economic sanctions; the role of Thailand; Operation Matador; the approach to Malaya - to Matador or not to Matador?; the Japanese landings; the campaign; what went wrong?; who was to blame?; the factor of race. Appendices: casualties; Percival's 1937 paper; Vlieland's 1940 appreciation; the scorched earth policy; an account of the 2nd Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders on Singapore Island.