The fall of Fortress Signapore to a numerically inferior Japanese army on 15 February 1942 was one of the darkest days in the history of the British Empire. How could it have happened? Who was to blame? Peter Thompson's gripping narrative uncovers the uncomfortable truths that have been hidden behind self-serving lies and distortions for more than 60 years. The author has interviewed numerous survivors of the tragedy - the book is packed with eye-witness accounts of bravery, panin and self-sacrifice of Australian and British soldiers, and the trapped citizens of Singapore.

Originally published: 2005.