Malaya Command General Officer in Command

(L to R) Air Force Marshall Conway Pullford, Major Gen. Arthur E. Percival, Air Chief Marshall Sir Robert Brooke-Popham and Vice Admiral Sir Geoffrey Layton discussing manuevers in late 1941 ( source: Life pictures)


Malaya Command was the Army GHQ ( Fort Canning, Singapore ) of Commonwealth troops based in British Malaya for its defence during the invasion of the Imperial Japanese Army from 1941 to 1942. The General Officer in Command ( GOC) was Lieutenant- General Arthur Percival. Under his command was the Singapore Fortress, 3rd Indian Corps, 8th Australian Division and the 18th British Division

In addition there was the RAF, including the RAAF, RNZAF, all commanded by Air-Vice-Marshal Pulford. The Navy had Sir Geoffrey Layton commanding the Far Eastern Station. Sir Robert Brooke-Popham was Commander-in-Chief( 18 Nov 1940 - 27 Dec 1941 ) of the British Far East Command, making him responsible for defence matters in Singapore, Malaya, Burma and Hong Kong.