This extensive tour to Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand examines the personal, national and imperial agony and humiliation that followed the rapid Japanese conquest. Beginning at Slim River north of Kuala Lumpur, we examine the limited resistance offered by British Imperial forces during the withdrawal south to Singapore, together with the seemingly impenetrable Malay jungle terrain that failed to hinder the invading army. After crossing the Johore Straits, we spend five nights in Singapore scrutinising the defence plan and its failure, inspect the coastal batteries, stand on the Japanese landing beaches, walk the battlefields on the edge of the city, visit the British Command Centre, see the sites of Percival surrender and subsequent Japanese surrender, reflect on the POW camp experience, reveal the massacre sites and explore colonial Singapore. In Thailand we spend three days at Kanchanaburi from where we explore the Death Railway by riding and walking the line, exploring caves used by POWs as shelter, paying respects at cemeteries and visiting the museums. Whilst we enjoy accommodation in full-service four-star hotels, dine at great local restaurants and travel in comfortable air-conditioned coaches, the story of brave, misled, betrayed and abused Imperial soldiers remains ever present, men who fought far from home only to endure years of harsh captivity. The contrast will be striking.

While Japanese aircraft struck Pearl Harbour and forces advanced into the Philippines, on 8 December 1941 Japanese troops invaded the Malay Peninsula as part of a wider strategy to seize the oil and raw materials of the Dutch East Indies. At the southern tip stood the fortress island of Singapore, developed during the inter-war years as the principal naval base from which Britain projected and defended power in the Far East. Anticipating attack from the Japanese navy, powerful coastal batteries were built to defeat an assault from the sea. That assault never materialised as General Yamashita's forces advanced south from Malayan landing beaches, meeting little effective resistance until reaching the Johore Straits on 31 January. A flawed defence plan and weak senior command meant that Singapore resisted for little more than a week. Deprived of food and water, Lieutenant General Percival concluded that no option remained but unconditional surrender of some 85,000 Allied troops to Yamashita's 35,000, an event Winston Churchill described as the worst disaster and largest capitulation in British history. The suffering did not end with surrender. After initial imprisonment on Singapore, many POWs were transported to Thailand to construct the Burma Siam railway. Those prisoners endured slave labour, disease, starvation and brutality while cutting through rock, building bridges and laying track under harsh discipline to create the infamous Death Railway on which thousands perished.

Day 0: Flights Outward
Join the group flight from London Heathrow or travel independently to Kuala Lumpur.

Day 1: Arrival in Kuala Lumpur
Arrival in the early evening. Transfer to our airport hotel for two nights or if making your own travel arrangements meet us at the hotel. Introductory talk over drinks in the evening. (D)

Day 2: Slim River and Kuala Lumpur
Explore the Japanese breakthrough at the Slim River bridges at Trolak, Kampung and Slim River, then continue to Kuala Lumpur following the Japanese route. Pass the National Monument and Cenotaph and visit the Malaysia National Museum and the Commonwealth War Cemetery. (B,L,D)

Day 3: Battle of Gemas
Drive to Gemencheh Bridge, site of the Australian ambush of advancing Japanese forces on 14 January, and follow the subsequent fighting withdrawal through Gemas to Segamat. At Bukit Kepong discuss the battle between local police and insurgent communists during the Emergency. Continue to the historic town of Malacca for one night. (B,L,D)

Day 4: The Battle of Muar
Amid colonial riverside houses in Muar discuss attempts to prevent Japanese river crossings and the destruction of 45th Indian Brigade. At Bakri see the site where Australian anti tank guns destroyed a Japanese tank force and stop at Parit Sulong, scene of the massacre of Allied wounded. View Singapore across the Johore Straits from Danga Bay to understand the Japanese perspective. Cross the border into Singapore for five nights. (B,L,D)

Day 5: Assault on Singapore
Walk through the wooded Sungai Buloh Reserve and its mangrove coast, terrain that challenged both defenders and Japanese amphibious landings, and see the causeway stormed by the Japanese Imperial Guard. Pay respects at Kranji CWGC Cemetery. Examine the failure of the Jurong Kranji Defence Line, the Malay Regiment stand at Pasir Penjang and the Cambridgeshire resistance in Adam Park. (B,L,D)

Day 6: Downtown Singapore
Day on foot beginning at Fort Canning Park including Percival command bunker where the surrender decision was taken. From the Padang view the Singapore Cenotaph, civilian memorials and St Andrew Cathedral with its Memorial Hall. On the Padang and outside City Hall the Japanese formally surrendered the city. Afternoon and evening at leisure. (B)

Day 7: Surrender and Occupation
Drive to the Former Ford Factory where Percival signed the surrender instrument. Further visits include the site of the former Japanese memorial at Bukit Batok, the grave of Field Marshal Count Terauchi and the site of the Punggol Beach massacre. Drive past Changi Prison to the chapel and museum interpreting Allied POW life. See the replica 15 inch gun of the Johore Battery, visit Changi Beach massacre site and look across the Straits to Pulau Ubin, part of Yamashita deception plan. (B,L,D)

Day 8: The Guns of Singapore
Explore the remains of Labrador Battery guarding the entrance to Keppel Harbour. Travel by cable car from Mount Faber to Sentosa to explore Siloso Battery with its eleven-story skywalk, tunnels, fire control tower and Second World War exhibitions. (B,L,D)

Day 9: Travel to Thailand
Morning flight to Bangkok. Drive to Nong Pladuk station, starting point of the Thai Burma Railway. Continue to Kanchanaburi for three nights. (B,L,D)

Day 10: Death Railway
Visit Kanchanaburi CWGC Cemetery and the exhibition at the Thailand Burma Railway Centre. Travel by train over the River Kwai Bridge to Than Krasae, walk along the wooden trestle viaduct and visit the cave. Continue to an elephant sanctuary and walk through jungle to Tham Chaloei Cave, shelter for Allied POWs. (B,L,D)

Day 11: Hellfire Pass
Drive to Hellfire Pass to visit the interpretation centre and walk a section of railway through Konyu Cutting. Option to extend the walk to Hintok Cutting. Afternoon at leisure. (B,L,D)

Day 12: River Kwai and Departure
Pay respects at Chong Kai CWGC Cemetery, former POW burial ground, hospital and church. From Curve Mountain gain river views, take a boat ride beneath the bridge and visit the Second World War museum in Kanchanaburi. Depart for Bangkok airport for late evening return flight to London unless you have made your own travel arrangements. (B,L)

Day 13: Arrival Home