On 11 February 1942, three short days after the initial invasion of Singapore, the Japanese forces had reached Bukit Timah. This was a critical juncture in the Japanese drive towards capturing Singapore: it stood on the road that led directly into the heart of the city, and lay on the last defense perimeter erected by the British.
Lieutenant-General Yamashita issued his first demand for British surrender, but Lieutenant-General Percival decided to fight on with every available resource.
British forces defended the area with the help of the Special Reserves Battalion, Tomforce, the Argylls and a small Chinese volunteer unit of lightly-armed and partially-trained men, code-named Dalforce.
A bloody confrontation took place at Bukit Timah as Japanese soldiers charged up the hill to engage and destroy the enemy. Despite attempts to hold the invaders, defense forces were unable to stop the Japanese from pushing through and seizing food, fuel and supply depots at Bukit Timah, and advancing yet further to the heart of the city. ^^^
