Well, what do World War II veterans have in common with Singapore? Very long lasting, unforgettable memories that you can share with fellow family members and friends. Especially those who had survived or had served in Singapore back in the year between 1942 to 1945.
So, if you travel to Singapore again with your family or friends or loved ones, would you like to walk down the memory lane? (Some memories are painful but some still brought back a smile. Do you agree?)
Well veterans, if you happen to travel back to Singapore in your next holiday, make your travel a memorable one. These are some places worth visiting to bring back those dark years.
The Battle Box
The Battle Box is the largest underground command center of the British Malaya Command Headquarters in Singapore during World War II and tucked into the hillside of Fort Canning.
This bombproof complex comprises of 22 rooms linked together by a corridor and capable of recycling its own air supply.
Today, the Battle Box has undergone extensive restoration. Visitors will be able to relive the morning of February 15, 1942 when Singapore fell to the Japanese.
Reflections of Bukit Chandu
http://www.s1942.org.sg/bukit_chandu/directory.htm
Back in 1942, 1400 soldiers of the Malay Regiment fought with courage against 13000 Japanese soldiers. They chose death over dishonour.
Pepper's Ghost will bring you through the Battle of Pasir Panjang and you will be able to walk through the Galleries displaying maps, photographs and information regarding the Malay Regiment and the Defence of Malaya.
Fort Siloso
http://www.sentosa.com.sg/explore_sentosa/attractions/fort_siloso.html
The British built Fort Siloso in the 1880s to protect Singapore harbour's western entrance. During the Japanese Occupation (1942-1945), it became concentration camp for POWs.
Fort Siloso serves as an important window to Singapore's colonial past and as reminder of the war years.
Changi Chapel & Museum
http://www.changimuseum.com/
This place, called a beacon of hope for the hopeless. Built by Changi Prison inmates, the Changi Chapel stands as a monument to those who maintained their faith and dignity during the Japanese Occupation.
More than 50 000 civilians and soldiers were imprisoned during those days. Some exhibits that you can find and relate to their agony are letters, photographs, drawings and their personal effects. However, their main attraction is a replica of The Changi Murals, a series of wall painting recreated from the originals painted by Stanley Warren.
Old Ford Factory
http://www.s1942.org.sg/bukit_chandu/FordFactory.htm
On February 15, 1942, Lt Gen A.E.Percival then Commander of the British Forces in Singapore surrendered to the Japanese Army. The 'ceremony' took place here, the Old Ford Factory.
On February 16, 2006, Singapore Minister for Defence Mr Teo Chee Hean officially opened Memories at Old Ford Factory. Here, you can find the exhibition 'Syonan Years: Singapore Under Japanese Rule, 1942-1945'.
Kranji War Memorial
Kranji War Memorial honours the men from Britain, Australia, Canada, Sri Lanka, India, Malaya, the Netherlands and New Zealand who gave their lives for freedom in World War II.
Here you can find 4000 servicemen's graves stand in neat rows. For about 24 000 soldiers and air force men, whose bodies were never recovered, their names were inscribed on 12 columns. Besides that, it is also a burial ground for Singapore's first two presidents.
Civilian War Memorial
Located in the Padang, the Civilian War Memorial is dedicated to all those who perished during the Japanese Occupation of Singapore between February 15, 1942 to September 12, 1945. Every year on 15 February, a memorial service is held here to remember the victims of the war.
Here you can find four identical vertical pillars rise to a pinnacle of 92.5 metres, symbolising the shared experiences of the four major races of Singapore - Chinese, Malay, Indian and other races. The remains of the unidentified war victims are buried beneath the monument.
Copyright © 2006 Jaffa Matt
by Jaffa Matt
Showing posts with label british malaya. Show all posts
Showing posts with label british malaya. Show all posts
What's Worth Doing When You Travel To Singapore As A World War II Veteran
Sunday, 21 April 2013 0 comments
Memories - World War II Heritage Sites
Monday, 21 January 2013 0 comments
Visitors to Singapore will find that many of its buildings and public places have been touched by World War II. As the location of the British Malaya Command Headquarters the city was heavily involved in war time activity even staging their own stoic defense against invaders. The World War II heritage of the country provides a poignant reminder of the futility and cost of war and to curious modern day tourists an interesting insight into history more than half a century old.
Whether a war veteran or simply a curious tourist the city’s World War II trail is of considerable interest filled as it is with interesting monuments, forts, underground bunkers and other buildings directly associated with the war.
Some of the key WW II heritage sites include the Kranji War Memorial that honours the many men and women from commonwealth countries who lost their lives. The site has war graves, military graves and memorial walls. The poignant inscription on the memorial “they died for all free men†says it all.
An interesting site that will catch the fancy of many visitors is the Battle Box. Located nine metres underground in Fort Canning Park, this complex was the actual British Malaya Command Headquarters. Realistic sound effects such as bombs bursting overhead accompany visitors during the tour of the 22 underground rooms of the bomb proof complex. The use of audio-visual animatronics, special effects and lifelike figures enable visitors to relive the bustle of the place during war time.
The Civilian War Memorial, east of the Padang commemorates the four ethnics groups who fought and died during the occupation and is a sad reminder again of the cost of war.
A WW II site occupying a large area is Singapore’s only remaining coastal defense, Fort Silso originally built to protect the western entrance to Singapore’s harbor still with four coastal gun batteries now manned by lifelike effigies, houses a large collection of WW II memorabilia and 17th century artillery. Dioramas depict the life of prisoners of war housed in the fort during WW II.
The site of the British surrender to the Japanese in 1942, the former Ford automotive assembly plant is another point of interest. This quaint art deco building is a museum now with artifacts, photographs and news paper clipping from the era.
The memorial at Bukhit Chandu commemorates the Malay Regiment soldiers who fought and died to at the Battle of Bukhit Chandu.
Alexandra Hospital is another poignant war memorial, the scene of an atrocity where staff and military casualties were killed by invading forces. The hospital retains much of the original architectural features including now walled up entrances to underground shelters.
The Cenotaph built in 1922 to honour the dead of WW I was converted to honour the dead of WW II as well. The sixty foot high granite monument has the words “they died so we may live†inscribed to commemorate WW II fallen. Several other memorials honouring Asian warriors of WW II dot the city.
Singapore City Hall, the site of many highpoints of the country’s history, is where the British accepted the surrender of Japanese forces in 1945.
The Japanese Cemetery Park in Hougang is the largest such facility in South East Asia. It holds the graves of about 910 Japanese men and women who lost their lives during the war. It also has monuments dedicated to the various units of the invasion forces.
Many sites with WW II associations have been demolished to make way for the new.
With a resort like ambience the Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel Singapore, offers its guests a unique water side location, spacious well designed contemporary rooms with city or river views, five star facilities and amenities for relaxing hassle free stays for business and leisure travelers. The luxury hotel Singapore offers some of the best Singapore Hotel Promotions with its many promotional packages for rooms, food and beverages, weddings and for hosting parties.
by Pushpitha Wijesinghe
Whether a war veteran or simply a curious tourist the city’s World War II trail is of considerable interest filled as it is with interesting monuments, forts, underground bunkers and other buildings directly associated with the war.
Some of the key WW II heritage sites include the Kranji War Memorial that honours the many men and women from commonwealth countries who lost their lives. The site has war graves, military graves and memorial walls. The poignant inscription on the memorial “they died for all free men†says it all.
An interesting site that will catch the fancy of many visitors is the Battle Box. Located nine metres underground in Fort Canning Park, this complex was the actual British Malaya Command Headquarters. Realistic sound effects such as bombs bursting overhead accompany visitors during the tour of the 22 underground rooms of the bomb proof complex. The use of audio-visual animatronics, special effects and lifelike figures enable visitors to relive the bustle of the place during war time.
The Civilian War Memorial, east of the Padang commemorates the four ethnics groups who fought and died during the occupation and is a sad reminder again of the cost of war.
A WW II site occupying a large area is Singapore’s only remaining coastal defense, Fort Silso originally built to protect the western entrance to Singapore’s harbor still with four coastal gun batteries now manned by lifelike effigies, houses a large collection of WW II memorabilia and 17th century artillery. Dioramas depict the life of prisoners of war housed in the fort during WW II.
The site of the British surrender to the Japanese in 1942, the former Ford automotive assembly plant is another point of interest. This quaint art deco building is a museum now with artifacts, photographs and news paper clipping from the era.
The memorial at Bukhit Chandu commemorates the Malay Regiment soldiers who fought and died to at the Battle of Bukhit Chandu.
Alexandra Hospital is another poignant war memorial, the scene of an atrocity where staff and military casualties were killed by invading forces. The hospital retains much of the original architectural features including now walled up entrances to underground shelters.
The Cenotaph built in 1922 to honour the dead of WW I was converted to honour the dead of WW II as well. The sixty foot high granite monument has the words “they died so we may live†inscribed to commemorate WW II fallen. Several other memorials honouring Asian warriors of WW II dot the city.
Singapore City Hall, the site of many highpoints of the country’s history, is where the British accepted the surrender of Japanese forces in 1945.
The Japanese Cemetery Park in Hougang is the largest such facility in South East Asia. It holds the graves of about 910 Japanese men and women who lost their lives during the war. It also has monuments dedicated to the various units of the invasion forces.
Many sites with WW II associations have been demolished to make way for the new.
With a resort like ambience the Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel Singapore, offers its guests a unique water side location, spacious well designed contemporary rooms with city or river views, five star facilities and amenities for relaxing hassle free stays for business and leisure travelers. The luxury hotel Singapore offers some of the best Singapore Hotel Promotions with its many promotional packages for rooms, food and beverages, weddings and for hosting parties.
by Pushpitha Wijesinghe
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