Singapore's survival as a forward submarine base changes the prospects for holding Malaya. Submarines operating from the city would put Japanese reinforcement and resupply routes under sustained pressure. The prediction is that troops in Malaya would eventually be forced back by shortages if that pressure could be maintained. The base also places a wide area of the Dutch East Indies within submarine range. This strengthens the case for holding Singapore beyond the immediate protection supplied by surface warships.
Notable Point · 1:23:41-1:24:41
Singapore's submarines could force Japanese troops back
A forward submarine base at Singapore could disrupt Japanese resupply enough to force troops in Malaya back.