In the Great War, Japan had fought with the Allies against the Central Powers. What turned the country from an ally to a relentless enemy?

Throughout the 1920s and 1930s the Japanese made great efforts to establish a position of primacy in the Far East. They overcame Manchuria and by 1937 they had invaded China. After the success of Hitler's 'Blitzkrieg', in 1940 they signed the 'Tripartite Act' with Germany and Italy, by which they agreed to oppose any country that joined the Allies. It was aimed primarily against United States intervention in the war. In July 1941 the Japanese, with the reluctant agreement of Vichy France, took over French Indo China (Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia). The US and British Governments, with the agreement of the Dutch Government in exile, froze all Japanese assets. Crucially, they set up an oil embargo - and Japan imported 88% of her oil. Looking for alternative supplies, Japan calculated that further conquests in the region would give her the oil fields of the Dutch East Indies (Java and Sumatra, now Indonesia) and from Malaya, 80% of the world's rubber and 66% of the world's tin.

We will tell the story of the decision to go to war, finally taken on 25th November 1941; at dawn on 8th December 1941 the Japanese simultaneously attacked Pearl Harbour, the Philippines, Thailand, Malaya and Hong Kong. 'His Majesty's Ambassador at Tokyo has been instructed to inform the Imperial Japanese Government… ... that a state of war exists between our two countries'.

We will consider first the shock on the complacent British colony of the Japanese bombing and their swift advance down the peninsula. Indecisive British leadership led to continued withdrawals, the Prince of Wales and the Repulse were sunk. Morale wavered. Then came the swift and shocking fall of the city and the tragic aftermath. In Hong Kong we will look at a very different story; fierce fighting, stubborn defence, and defiance by commanders and men determined that the Japanese would not win easily. Historian Colonel Peter Knox will be your guide on this tour, and there are still many places where we can study the events of those fateful days.

Singapore and Hong Kong are now two of the most vibrant cities of Asia. As well as visiting sites associated with World War Two there will be time to explore other historical and cultural aspects of these cities and sample the local cuisines.

ITINERARY
Day 1 (Saturday): Overnight flight London Heathrow to Singapore.
Day 2: Arrive in Singapore. Check into our hotel for 3 nights. Introductory talk on the Japanese invasion of Malaya and the fall of Singapore followed by a short orientation walk and visit to St Andrew's Cathedral. Welcome dinner.
Day 3: Visit Fort Canning Park and the 'Battle Box' followed by visits to Changi Museum, the site of the Johore Battery and Kranji CWGC. Dinner in a local restaurant.
Day 4: Further visits to places of historic interest: War Memorial Park, The Padang, The Old Ford Factory, where the surrender of Singapore took place, Bukit Chandu and Alexandra Hospital. Afternoon free to explore this exciting city and chose one of the many restaurants for dinner.
Day 5: Fly from Singapore to Hong Kong. Check into our hotel for a 4 night stay. Dinner in our hotel.
Day 6: Introductory talk on 'The Fall of Hong Kong' followed by a visit to the New Territories to see the Shing Mun Redoubt – the key defensive position of the Gin Drinkers Line. Picnic lunch. Afternoon free to explore Kowloon. Dinner in our hotel.
Day 7: Visit St Stephen's College, Stanley, site of the infamous civilian internment camp during the Japanese occupation and Stanley CWGC. After lunch visit Stanley Village and Market. Own dinner arrangements.
Day 8: Cross to the Island by the famous Star Ferry and walk to St John's Cathedral via the Cenotaph. Then take The Peak Tram to The Peak. After lunch visit the Museum of Coastal Defence in Lyemun Fort and Sai Wan CWGC. Farewell Dinner.
Day 9: Free time for further exploring until afternoon return flight to London Heathrow via Singapore.
Day 10: Arrive London Heathrow.