This is the answer to the reliability question.

Does Source A prove that the British did not protect Northern Singapore? Explain your answer.

Source A proves that the British did not protect Northern Singapore. From this source it shows that the British did not made a lot of preparations for war in Malaya. This is supported from the source which says, “geography of Malaya is a factor in its defence… coastal plains were about fifteen miles in width and filled with mangrove swamps… mountain range which runs from north to south is covered with dense jungle…”.

This is further supported from Source C, which tell me that the British were very prepared to defend south of Singapore. From the cartoon, we see Lt. General Percival with a huge cannon placed at Pulau Blakang Mati, which is known today as Sentosa. And he was saying that he does not see any Japanese soldiers.

Which also indicates that the British had mistakenly defended Singapore, as the weapon with the Japanese tag was about to attack Lt. General Percival from the back which is north of Singapore.

However, it is not entirely correct to say that north of Singapore was not protected. In Source A, it shows that British made preparations in Malaya, this is supported from the source which says, “Roads are few and heavily guarded, so that an invading army would be at the mercy of defenders securely hidden in the jungle”. They were hoping that the Japanese will not be able to pass through these defences.

And in Source B, it shows, there were preparations made north of Singapore, because there was a Sembawang Airfield and Naval Base situated north of Singapore.