PERCIVAL AND THE TRAGEDY OF SINGAPORE

First edition, first printing. Signed by Lord Mountbatten and inscribed by Sir John Smyth. Publisher's original maroon cloth with titles in gilt to the spine, in dustwrapper. Illustrated with black and white photographs. Loosely laid in is an invitation card for the launch of the book, signed and inscribed by Smyth in blue ink. A near fine copy, the binding square and firm with a little pushing to the spine ends. The contents are clean and bright throughout and remain free from any previous owners' inscriptions or stamps. Complete with the very good dustwrapper which has a 2cm tear to the head of the rear panel, fading to the spine and a little wear to spine ends. Not price-clipped (£3.00 to the front flap).

Signed and inscribed by Sir John Smyth in black ink to the front free endpaper "To John Bettley / with kindest regards / Jackie Smyth / 7.6.71" and additionally signed by Lord Mountbatten in blue ink to the front pastedown "Mountbatten of Burma / A.F." Brigadier Sir John George Smyth, 1st Baronet, VC, MC, PC (1893-1983), often known as Jackie Smyth, was a British Indian Army officer who served in both the First and Second World Wars, earning the Victoria Cross for "conspicuous bravery" in the former at the age of just 21. During the Second World War, Smyth served in Europe and then India. His command of the 17th Indian Division was the source of notable controversy due to its retreat across the Sittang River in Burma, which led directly to the Britain's loss of Rangoon and Lower Burma. Louis Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma (1900-1979) was Supreme Allied Commander of South East Asia Command during the war, overseeing the recapture of Burma and Singapore from the Japanese by the end of 1945. He also served as the last Viceroy of British India, and the first governor-general of the Dominion of India. The present work by Smyth forms a detailed assessment of the fall of Singapore to Japanese forces in 1942 and the leadership of Lieutenant-General Arthur Percival, of whom Percival was a great supporter. An excellent association copy, signed by two key figures in the command of British forces in Asia during the Second World War.