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Ivan Simson

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Ivan Simson
Born1890
Died1971
AllegianceUnited Kingdom
Service / branchBritish Army
RankBrigadier
Battles / warsSecond World War
AwardsOrder of the British Empire

Brigadier Ivan Simson OBE (1890–1971) was the Chief Engineer in Malaya from August 1941 until its surrender to the Japanese in 1942. Simson was tasked with improving the defenses in Singapore in the face of possible attack by the Japanese, although Simson's defensive recommendations were largely rejected by his commander, Arthur Percival, as being bad for moral.[1] Previously he was Deputy Chief Engineer Scottish Command.[2]

The Battle of Singapore from February 8–15 resulted in a decisive Japanese victory and the capture of Percival, Simson, and the majority of troops under them.[3]

References

  1. ^ Murfett et al 2011 p190, 224, 340-344
  2. ^ Fisher, Charles Alfred. Three times a guest: recollections of Japan and the Japanese, 1942-1969. Cassell, 1979. p15
  3. ^ Kennedy, Joseph. When Singapore Fell: Evacuations and Escapes, 1941–42. Springer, 1989. p11-12

Sources

  • Murfett, Malcolm H., John Miksic, Brian Farell, and Chiang Ming Shun. Between 2 Oceans (2nd Edn): A Military History of Singapore from 1275 to 1971. Marshall Cavendish International Asia Pte Ltd, 2011.