Downsized "The Fall of Singapore" display (1 Viewer)

[Iron Brigade]

I recently confirmed with a most reliable source in Hong Kong that K&C will not be adding more sets to their 70th anniversary issue in 2012 of 2 sets (FOB 079 & FOB 080) to commemorate "The Fall of Singapore" on 15 February 1942. At least not for a long time. When I got these above noted sets I placed them on top of a bookcase that had a display area of about 24 inches by 10 inches. This was a larger display space than was needed, but I was thinking K&C would be adding more sets to their "The Fall of Singapore" series before too long. Alas, this was not to be.

I tried selling the above noted sets on eBay, but got no bids. I finally decided to do some revising of a couple of my displays to make room for the K&C sets FOB 079 & FOB 080. I freed up a display area of about 15 by 11 inches which is very adequate for the five figures of the two above noted K&C sets. If K&C ever would add a few more figures to this series I will still have enough room for them on this smaller display area.

Ah, sometimes one has to be flexible in this toy soldier hobby!

Attached are 5 photos of the new "downsized" surrender at Singapore display.

"Iron Brigade" / Gary

 

[graycap]

I must confess I'm relieved that no more additions to the "Singapore Surrender" set is likely for the time being. The worst humiliation the British Empire suffered during the war and one that resulted in thousands of Commonwealth servicemen spending the next four years or so building the Burma Thailand railway, with all that that entailed. A relative of mine was captured in Malaya and was never the same again after his liberation in 1945.

 

[jazzeum]

I must confess I'm relieved that no more additions to the "Singapore Surrender" set is likely for the time being. The worst humiliation the British Empire suffered during the war and one that resulted in thousands of Commonwealth servicemen spending the next four years or so building the Burma Thailand railway, with all that that entailed. A relative of mine was captured in Malaya and was never the same again after his liberation in 1945.

I had gotten some emails and private messages to that effect at the time the sets were issued.

 

[zblang]

Although I understand the sentiment, and agree, and don't collect these, we sure have a lot of nazi figures out there. They also did some pretty bad things.

 

[jazzeum]

Yes, but for British and people from the Commonwealth, the surrender was particularly bad. Churchill was almost crushed by it. Aside from Dunkirk, this may have been the lowest moment in the War for the British and Commonwealth forces.

 

[DM101]

View attachment 170264

Could I know where you got that magazine or leaflet in the background ?

I don't find it available for download in King and Country website...

 

[Iron Brigade]

Comments for "Graycap"; Jazzeum" & "Zalang":

Yes, I understand that people from the UK, the Republic of Singapore. etc. just would not want to display this "humiliation for the British Empire" as noted by "Graycap" in his posted comments to this Thread I started. I also recently was informed by a member of this Forum from Singapore noting that the reason no more sets were issued by K&C was probably due to collectors in UK and perhaps elsewhere who just did not want to be reminded of the surrender of Singapore. I know from assorted historical books and TV programs that the surrender was not only a blow to the British war effort in greater Asia, but a horrible ordeal for many thousands of British Army POW's to include soldiers who served with the British Army from India & Chinese Volunteers from Singapore, etc. who ended up working on the Japanese Railroad in Burma which killed off so many and ruined the health of many more who did survive somehow.

USA collectors might also be adverse to displaying sets about the sneak attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941 which was a humiliation for USA as the "surprise attack" aspect could have been avoided it would seem. But too many people prior to 7 December 1941 in USA military and government apparently thought a Japanese attack against USA interests in Asia was coming soon, BUT not at Pearl Harbor. Too many people just thought the Japanese wouldn't dare!

I respect the feelings of those who do not wish to display "The Fall of Singapore" sets by K&C.

"Iron Brigade" / Gary

 

[Iron Brigade]

View attachment 170264

Could I know where you got that magazine or leaflet in the background ?

I don't find it available for download in King and Country website...

Dear "DM101":

The K&C leaflet is a 3 page fold out showing photos of the two sets of FOB 079 & FOB 080 as well as photos in Singapore at time of surrender and a brief write up on "The Fall of Singapore". Each of these two sets have this leaflet inside the set box.

"Iron Brigade" / Gary

 

[Poppo]

These are very nice figures,many details, and in realistic , natural poses, some of the best KC's in my opinion.

 

[Iron Brigade]

These are very nice figures,many details, and in realistic , natural poses, some of the best KC's in my opinion.

"Poppo":

Yes, I agree 100% with you that these figures are really splendid. According to the historical photos I have seen of the British surrender to the Japanese Army on 15 February 1942 the faces of all five figures in these two sets seem to be very similar to the real people that the 1:30 scale figures are representing.

"Iron Brigade"

 

[DM101]

The British were expecting the Japanese from the sea in the South....

This is a Machine Gun Post - all waiting for the Japanese....

Below is what the machine gun post looks like from the beach - the Japanese would not stand a chance and would definitely be mauled down....

There are also heavy gun emplacement in the fort (jungle)...

However the landing was from the North and all these preparations were in vain and myth of the 'Impregnable Fortress' hence was busted and the rest is history....

 

[BHogan]

Great pics of Singapore's defenses DM101! Thanks for sharing them with us. Did you take them yourself? I think it's one of the great what ifs of the Pacific War. I wonder what would have happened to the Japanese if they invaded from the sea.
Cheers,
Brendan

 

[lancer]

Great pics of Singapore's defenses DM101! Thanks for sharing them with us. Did you take them yourself? I think it's one of the great what ifs of the Pacific War. I wonder what would have happened to the Japanese if they invaded from the sea.
Cheers,
Brendan

Same thing that would have happened to the Germans had they attacked the Maginot Line head-on. Both the Japanese and Germans were smart and went through the back door, left open in both cases. -- Al

 

[jazzeum]

Isn't that what Lawrence did when he took Aqaba?

 

[lancer]

Isn't that what Lawrence did when he took Aqaba?

Sure did. Someone always leaves the back door unlocked.:rolleyes2: -- Al

 

[McFuglas]

Of course, the Japanese only entered (or perhaps even had unfettered access to) the unlocked back door of Singapore after first conquering the entire Malaysian Peninsula.

As for fortifications.....pillboxes, land mines, barbed wire and heavy casualties didn't stop them from taking the beaches at Kota Bharu during the initial stages of the Malayan Campaign.

However, I suspect I'm not alone in preferring not to know/remember too much about the very early stages of the Pacific War....

 

[DM101]

Great pics of Singapore's defenses DM101! Thanks for sharing them with us. Did you take them yourself? I think it's one of the great what ifs of the Pacific War. I wonder what would have happened to the Japanese if they invaded from the sea.
Cheers,
Brendan

Yes I took it myself... if the Japanese landed here they would be met with these many big guns in the fort {sm4}

and the machine gun posts at the beach no doubt....