This proposed defense trades space in Malaya for a concentrated, organized force at Singapore. Retreating troops would destroy airfields behind them rather than leave operating bases for the Japanese advance. Artillery positions, minefields, and control of the water reservoir would make the island a defensible base while the attacking army reached the end of its supply line. Reinforcements could then form coherent units for a counterattack instead of being defeated piecemeal across Malaya.
Notable Point · 1:57:27-1:58:19
A concentration strategy for defending Singapore
A stronger defense would pull scattered troops into Singapore, deny forward airfields, fortify approaches, and protect the reservoir.