Percival file photo [927]

Arthur Percival

SurnamePercival
Given NameArthur
Born26 Dec 1887
Died31 Jan 1966
CountryUnited Kingdom
CategoryMilitary-Ground
GenderMale

Contributor:

ww2dbaseArthur Percival was a veteran of WW1, volunteered in the British Army at the age of 27. At the rank of first lieutenant, he participated in the Battle of the Somme with the Bedfordshire Regiment, and earned the Military Cross award. At the onset of WW2, he was evacuated from Dunkerque, France as the commander of the 44th Division. He was transferred to Asia to command the Commonwealth troops (British, Australian, and Indian) in British Malaya. On 15 Feb 1942 he surrendered Singapore to Lieutenant General Tomoyuki Yamashita after his 130,000-strong army was overwhelmed by Yamashita's smaller 30,000-strong force. Percival would be relocated to northeastern China and became a prison of war until the end of WW2. Emaciated from years of captivity, Percival would be present at the Japanese surrender.

ww2dbasePercival published the book The War in Malaya in 1949. He passed away on 31 Jan 1966.

ww2dbaseSources:
Dan van der Vat, The Pacific Campaign
Wikipedia

Last Major Revision: Feb 2005

Arthur Percival Interactive Map

Photographs

British Army Lieutenant General Arthur Percival leaving a plane on his arrival to Singapore as the new commander of British forces in Malaya and Singapore, 13 Aug 1941British Army Lieutenant General Arthur Percival welcoming US envoy Averell Harriman at Sembawang Airfield, Singapore, 30 Oct 1941Lieutenant General Arthur Percival in Malaya, Dec 1941British Army Lieutenant General Arthur Percival meeting with war correspondents shortly before the surrender of Singapore, circa late Jan 1942
See all 13 photographs of Arthur Percival

Arthur Percival Timeline

26 Dec 1887 Arthur Percival was born.
31 Jan 1966 Arthur Percival passed away.




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Visitor Submitted Comments

1. Anonymous says:
3 Oct 2013 11:19:15 PM

Percival never published a book called "the war in malaysia" you idiot it was called "the war in Malaya"

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Search WW2DB
More on Arthur Percival
Event(s) Participated:
» Invasion of France and the Low Countries
» Invasion of Malaya and Singapore
» Japan's Surrender

Arthur Percival Photo Gallery
British Army Lieutenant General Arthur Percival leaving a plane on his arrival to Singapore as the new commander of British forces in Malaya and Singapore, 13 Aug 1941
See all 13 photographs of Arthur Percival


Famous WW2 Quote
"No bastard ever won a war by dying for his country. You win the war by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country!"

George Patton, 31 May 1944


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