About 130,000 Indian, Australian, and British troops became prisoners of war, many of whom would later be transported to Burma, Japan, Korea, or Manchuria for use as slave labour via prisoner transports known as "hell ships." The fall of Singapore was the largest surrender of British-led forces in history. Japanese newspapers triumphantly declared the victory as deciding the general situation of the war.
Approximately 130,000 Indian, Australian, and British troops became prisoners during World War II, with many being sent to Burma, Japan, Korea, or Manchuria for forced labor. These transports were known as "hell ships." The fall of Singapore marked the largest surrender of British forces in history. Japanese newspapers celebrated this event as a decisive moment that altered the overall situation of the war.