There was no reason for him to be promoted to Field Marshal, the forces requiring a Field Marshal’s command weren’t there. Wavell (Percival’s boss) wasn’t even a Field Marshal at the time and he commanded all British Forces in Southern Asia. By the way, going from Lieutenant-General to Field Marshal is two rank increases, not one.Suppose Lt. General Percival, the commander of Singapore, was promoted to Field Marshal several months before the Japanese invasion?
Well, if he were promoted to General several months to a year before that, and if his command were heavily reinforced so that the numbers deserved a Field Marshal in command, it would make sense. The larger size of his forces would have an impact, but where are those forces coming from?There was no reason for him to be promoted to Field Marshal, the forces requiring a Field Marshal’s command weren’t there. Wavell (Percival’s boss) wasn’t even a Field Marshal at the time and he commanded all British Forces in Southern Asia. By the way, going from Lieutenant-General to Field Marshal is two rank increases, not one.
If he was promoted Field Marshall 'several months' before the Japanese invasion, then that would mean that Brooke-Popham is likely pensioned off and Perceival becomes C in C of British Far East Command, opening up GOC Malaya position for someone else.
I think.