Hey there! Here's some important news from Network Rail, if you're planning to catch a train

over the May Bank holiday weekends. From 28 April to 1 May, and from 27 May to 29 May,

Network Rail will be working to upgrade and improve the railway for us all.

And while most of the network will stay open, some train services will be affected.

So, be in the know before you go. Please check before you travel at

nationalrail.co.uk forward slash May. Imagine being transported to Universal Orlando

resort. Three incredible theme parks full of twists and turns. You can race alongside

raptors on Jurassic World Velocicoaster. Join in the mystery with illuminations minions.

And make us flash at Universal volcano bay. Book Universal Orlando for 2024 with Virgin

Atlantic holidays at your local store on the phone or at virginholidays.co.uk.

Hello and thank you for listening to the history of World War II podcast.

Episode 271. The Battle of Jitra.

Last time, Acting British Admiral Tom Phillips took force Z up the Malayan coast to

impede any Japanese invasion. However, as he sailed up with no air cover, and the land-based

enemy bombers were lucky enough to locate the British ships, the question of superiority

between air and sea forces had been settled once and for all, with both capital ships being lost.

Which only made the situation worse for Lieutenant General Arthur Percivil,

General Officer Commanding Malaya at Singapore, who was still determined to delay as much as

possible the occupation of Singapore. The loss of force Z sent shockwaves through London,

but truth be told, force Z was never large enough in the first place to be a deterrent to Japanese

ambitions, nor large enough or balanced enough to stop those ambitions once they were launched.

Moreover, the British, like the Americans, had little regard for the abilities of the Japanese

...