 The causeway linking Johor and Singapore was blown up by the Allied forces in an effort to stop the Japanese army . However , the Japanese managed to cross the Straits of Johor in inflatable boats days after . Several fights by the Allied forces and volunteers of Singapore 's population against the advancing Japanese , such as the Battle of Pasir Panjang , took place during this period . However , with most of the defenses shattered and supplies exhausted , Lieutenant @-@ General Arthur Percival surrendered the Allied forces in Singapore to General Tomoyuki Yamashita of the Imperial Japanese Army on Chinese New Year , 15 February 1942 . About 130 @,@ 000 Indian , Australian and British troops became prisoners of war , many of whom would later be transported to Burma , Japan , Korea , or Manchuria for use as slave labour via prisoner transports known as " hell ships . " The fall of Singapore was the largest surrender of British @-@ led forces in history . Japanese newspapers triumphantly declared the victory as deciding the general situation of the war . 
