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As part of the invasion plan, the Japanese 25th Army set up its HQ at the Johore Sultan's Green Palace, the Istana Hijau. The building was on elevated ground and had a 5 storey observation tower, giving it a bird's eye view of Singapore. The Municiple Building was also similarly used.

A report reached Bennet's HQ that the Japanese were using the Palace and Municiple building as observation posts and permission was sought to blast them with artillery fire. Allied commanders (Percival or Bennet?) refused to bombard the palace in order to save ammo and to avoid angering the Sultan.

Had permission been granted, Gen Yamashiita could have been killed... and the invasion of Singapore taken a different course.




Johor Municiple building.....




The Palace - HQ of Jap 25th Army. Gen Yamashiita even told his troops he will personally observe them in battle from his HQ.
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