Poor defensive operations/planning, political infighting, and a breakdown in unity of command resulted in the British defeat at Singapore. The Allied forces on Singapore outnumbered their enemy by two to one or more. Bureaucratic wrangling delayed construction of defensive works leaving Allied forces in hasty positions. In the Malaya campaign, the Japanese bypassed strong defenses, attacking from unexpected directions. This tactic forced the Allied commander to defend the entire perimeter of the island. When the attack came, subordinate tactical commanders failed to support the commanding general's intent with disastrous results. Defense work construction delays were due to friction between the branches of civil Government, military services, and the civilian population. The Allied forces did not have sufficient personnel to cover the unfortified shoreline. The resulting gaps in the defense gave the Japanese a beach head on Singapore. Once the battle began, orders issued by subordinate commanders undermined the commanding general's plans. The resulting confusion caused the collapse of the defensive line, and ultimately the defeat of Singapore.

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