Brian Sanders (British, B. 1937) "Fall of Singapore" Original Oil painting on Canvas. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting originally appeared on the Republic of the Marshall Islands 29c Fall of Singapore 1941 stamp issued December 10, 1991. Nestled against the Kra Peninsula, the tiny island of Singapore sparkled like a jewel in the British colonial crown. Protected by the strongest naval base in the world and by seemingly impregnable coastal defenses, Malaya ground commander Lt. General A.E. Percival and his compatriots smugly ignored early indications of a Japanese ground invasion -- with fatal consequences. By December 10, 1941, more than 55,000 soldiers under Lt. General Tomoyuki Yamashita were advancing from the north. By mid-January the Japanese had gained control of the peninsula and isolated the ragged remnants of the combined British forces and a contingent of civilians on Singapore. For more than 45 days, the last vestige of Britain's eastern empire held fast. On February 15, with starvation looming, the forces surrendered. Image Size: 13.25 x 16.25 in. Overall Size: 17.25 x 20.25 in. Unframed. (B13314)