On the 31st December 1941 , Percival assumed command of the 95,000 troops on Singapore Island, these consisted of thirteen British battalions, six Australian, seventeen Indian and two Malay, giving him nearly a total strength of a total three divisions. With another three machine guns battalions , it looked impressive but in reality , most of the troops were freshly ready for combat and the troops that retreated from Malaya had been badly cut up by the Japanese.
Sources -->Wikipedia
Monday, 18 February 2013
Battle of Singapore
The Battle of Singapore was fought in the South-East Asian theatre of the Second World War when the Empire of Japan invaded the Allied stronghold of Singapore. Singapore was the major British military base in South-East Asia and nicknamed the "Gibraltar of the East". The fighting in Singapore lasted from 8–15 February 1942.
It resulted in the fall of Singapore to the Japanese and the largest surrender of British-led military personnel in history.[2] About 80,000 British, Indian and Australian troops became prisoners of war, joining 50,000 taken by the Japanese in the Malayan Campaign. British Prime Minister Winston Churchill called the ignominious fall of Singapore to the Japanese the "worst disaster" and "largest capitulation" in British history.[3] In just seven days, Singapore, the "Impregnable Fortress", had fallen.
Sources --> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Singapore
It resulted in the fall of Singapore to the Japanese and the largest surrender of British-led military personnel in history.[2] About 80,000 British, Indian and Australian troops became prisoners of war, joining 50,000 taken by the Japanese in the Malayan Campaign. British Prime Minister Winston Churchill called the ignominious fall of Singapore to the Japanese the "worst disaster" and "largest capitulation" in British history.[3] In just seven days, Singapore, the "Impregnable Fortress", had fallen.
Sources --> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Singapore
How did the Japanese treated us?
When the Japanese ruled us,they set rules and the person who disobey the rules would be punished cruely.The Japanese perceived the Chinese as a threat to their rule. This is because the chinese had tried to face with the China but the resistance was too strong to outbreak.They treated us unfairly because in the Sook Ching operation, they picked all the innocent chinese mans and some which who had a family to undergo the unreasonable operation. They also went around the neighbourhoods and when they didn't get what they demanded , the innocent people will either be stabbed or shot with a gun .
Sources: Textbook(Singapore from settlement to nation. Marshall Cavendish.)
How and When the British Surrendered
On 5 February 1942,which was the Chinese New Year,the British had a final conference at the fort canning bunkers.Lieutenant-General PErcival wanted to discuss ways to counter-attack but his commanders were against the idea. they felt that there were too many problems and the soldiers were tired.More men would be killed if they were to engaged the Japanese in street fightrting.Furthermore,their supplies of food and water were running out. To prevent further bloodshed,the British opted for surrender.On 15 February 1942 Japanese Lietenant-Colonel Sugita led Percival and his delegation to the Ford Motor Factory to negotiate the surrender terms.
Sources: Textbook(Singapore from settlement to nation.Marshall Cavendish)
Operation Clean Up (Sook Ching Operation/Massacre)
These are the list of people that are considered as "undesirables":
- Activists in the China Relief Fund
- Wealthy men who had contributed generously to the China Relief Fund
- Adherents of Tan Kah Kee, leader of the Nanyang National Salvation Movement
- Hainan people, perceived to be communists
- China-born Chinese who came to Malaya after the Second Sino-Japanese War
- Men with tattoos, perceived to be triad members
- Chinese who joined the Singapore Overseas Chinese Anti-Japanese Volunteer Army
- Civil servants and those who were likely to sympathise with the British, such as the Justices of the Peace, and members of the Legislative Council
- People who possessed weapons and were likely to disrupt public security
There are a few sites where the operation took place, the more easier to recall is Changi Beach, Punggol Beach, and Sentosa. During the op. , the massacre then spread to Malaya. The total number of deaths was about an estimate of 40000-50000 people killed in Singapore
After the end of WWII, the operation has ceased, and the British authorities in Singapore held a War Crime trial to the 7 Japanese officers who are involved in Operation Clean Up. Two of them was sentenced capital punishment, while the other five are sentenced to life imprisonment. Takuma Nishinuma was later executed following convicting for his role in the Parit Sulong massacre by an Australian military court. The court accepted the defense statement of "just following orders" by those put on trial.
Sources --> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sook_Ching_massacre
Date accessed: 11th February 2013
More Information about World War II
World War II (WWII or WW2), also known as the Second World War, was a global war that was underway by 1939 and ended in 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis. It was the most widespread war in history, with more than 100 million people serving in military units. In a state of "total war", the major participants placed their entire economic, industrial, and scientific capabilities at the service of the war effort, erasing the distinction between civilian and military resources. Marked by significant events involving the mass death of civilians, including the Holocaust and the only use of nuclear weapons in warfare, it resulted in 50 million to over 73 million fatalities. These deaths make World War II by far the deadliest conflict in all of human history.[1]
The Empire of Japan aimed to dominate East Asia and was already at war with the Republic of China in 1937,[2] but the world war is generally said to have begun on 1 September 1939 with the invasion of Poland by Germany and subsequent declarations of war on Germany by France and Britain. From late 1939 to early 1941, in a series of campaigns and treaties, Germany formed the Axis alliance with Italy, conquering or subduing much of continental Europe. Following the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact, Germany and the Soviet Union partitioned and annexed territories between themselves of their European neighbours, including Poland. The United Kingdom and the other members of the British Commonwealth were the only major Allied forces continuing the fight against the Axis, with battles taking place in North Africa as well as the long-running Battle of the Atlantic. In June 1941, the European Axis launched an invasion of the Soviet Union, giving a start to the largest land theatre of war in history, which tied down the major part of the Axis' military forces for the rest of the war. In December 1941, Japan joined the Axis, attacked the United States and European territories in the Pacific Ocean, and quickly conquered much of the Western Pacific.
The Axis advance was stopped in 1942, after Japan lost a series of naval battles and European Axis troops were defeated in North Africa and, decisively, at Stalingrad. In 1943, with a series of German defeats in Eastern Europe, the Allied invasion of Italy, and American victories in the Pacific, the Axis lost the initiative and undertook strategic retreat on all fronts. In 1944, the Western Allies invaded France, while the Soviet Union regained all of its territorial losses and invaded Germany and its allies. During 1944 and 1945 the United States defeated the Japanese Navy and captured key Western Pacific islands.
The war in Europe ended with the capture of Berlin by Soviet and Polish troops and the subsequent German unconditional surrender on 8 May 1945. Following the Potsdam Declaration by the Allies on 26 July 1945, the United States dropped atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima on 6 August, and Nagasaki on 9 August. With an invasion of the Japanese archipelago imminent, and the Soviet Union having declared war on Japan by invading Manchuria, Japan surrendered on 15 August 1945, ending the war in Asia and cementing the total victory of the Allies over the Axis.
World War II altered the political alignment and social structure of the world. The United Nations (UN) was established to foster international cooperation and prevent future conflicts. The great powers that were the victors of the war—the United States, the Soviet Union, China, the United Kingdom, and France—became the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council.[3] The Soviet Union and the United States emerged as rival superpowers, setting the stage for the Cold War, which lasted for the next 46 years. Meanwhile, the influence of European great powers started to decline, while the decolonisation of Asia and Africa began. Most countries whose industries had been damaged moved towards economic recovery. Political integration, especially in Europe, emerged as an effort to stabilise postwar relations.
Sources --> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_II
The Empire of Japan aimed to dominate East Asia and was already at war with the Republic of China in 1937,[2] but the world war is generally said to have begun on 1 September 1939 with the invasion of Poland by Germany and subsequent declarations of war on Germany by France and Britain. From late 1939 to early 1941, in a series of campaigns and treaties, Germany formed the Axis alliance with Italy, conquering or subduing much of continental Europe. Following the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact, Germany and the Soviet Union partitioned and annexed territories between themselves of their European neighbours, including Poland. The United Kingdom and the other members of the British Commonwealth were the only major Allied forces continuing the fight against the Axis, with battles taking place in North Africa as well as the long-running Battle of the Atlantic. In June 1941, the European Axis launched an invasion of the Soviet Union, giving a start to the largest land theatre of war in history, which tied down the major part of the Axis' military forces for the rest of the war. In December 1941, Japan joined the Axis, attacked the United States and European territories in the Pacific Ocean, and quickly conquered much of the Western Pacific.
The Axis advance was stopped in 1942, after Japan lost a series of naval battles and European Axis troops were defeated in North Africa and, decisively, at Stalingrad. In 1943, with a series of German defeats in Eastern Europe, the Allied invasion of Italy, and American victories in the Pacific, the Axis lost the initiative and undertook strategic retreat on all fronts. In 1944, the Western Allies invaded France, while the Soviet Union regained all of its territorial losses and invaded Germany and its allies. During 1944 and 1945 the United States defeated the Japanese Navy and captured key Western Pacific islands.
The war in Europe ended with the capture of Berlin by Soviet and Polish troops and the subsequent German unconditional surrender on 8 May 1945. Following the Potsdam Declaration by the Allies on 26 July 1945, the United States dropped atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima on 6 August, and Nagasaki on 9 August. With an invasion of the Japanese archipelago imminent, and the Soviet Union having declared war on Japan by invading Manchuria, Japan surrendered on 15 August 1945, ending the war in Asia and cementing the total victory of the Allies over the Axis.
World War II altered the political alignment and social structure of the world. The United Nations (UN) was established to foster international cooperation and prevent future conflicts. The great powers that were the victors of the war—the United States, the Soviet Union, China, the United Kingdom, and France—became the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council.[3] The Soviet Union and the United States emerged as rival superpowers, setting the stage for the Cold War, which lasted for the next 46 years. Meanwhile, the influence of European great powers started to decline, while the decolonisation of Asia and Africa began. Most countries whose industries had been damaged moved towards economic recovery. Political integration, especially in Europe, emerged as an effort to stabilise postwar relations.
Sources --> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_II
Northern Landings (8 December 1941)
On 8 December 1941, slighty after 4 a.m. ,the people of Singapore were rudely awakened by the sounds of wxplosions.Japanese warplanes had flown over Singapore and bombed the city.Meanwhile, Japanese soildiers also landed in northern Malaya.In less the 70 days, Singapore fell to Japanese.
The opening at Kranji made it possible for Imperial Guards armoured units to land unopposed there. Tanks with flotation equipment attached were towed across the strait and advanced rapidly south, along Woodlands Road. This allowed Yamashita to outflank the 22nd Brigade on the Jurong Line, as well as bypassing the 11th Indian Division at the naval base. However, the Imperial Guards failed to seize an opportunity to advance into the city centre itself.
Sources:
Wikipedia and Singapore From Settlement to Nation Textbook.
The opening at Kranji made it possible for Imperial Guards armoured units to land unopposed there. Tanks with flotation equipment attached were towed across the strait and advanced rapidly south, along Woodlands Road. This allowed Yamashita to outflank the 22nd Brigade on the Jurong Line, as well as bypassing the 11th Indian Division at the naval base. However, the Imperial Guards failed to seize an opportunity to advance into the city centre itself.
Sources:
Wikipedia and Singapore From Settlement to Nation Textbook.
The Japanese' Surrender
On 15 August, Japan announced its surrender. The formal signing of the surrender was held at City Hall, Singapore on 12 September. This was followed by a celebration at the Padang, which included a victory parade. Lord Louis Mountbatten, Supreme Allied Commander of South East Asia Command, came to Singapore to receive the formal surrender of the Japanese forces.
After the surrender there were widespread incidents of looting and revenge-killing. Much of Singapore had been wrecked, including the harbour facilities and electricity, water supply, and telephone services. It took four or five years for the economy to return to normal. When British troops finally arrived they met with cheers.Banana money became worthless after the occupation ended. Many individuals who had acquired their wealth through banana currency were rendered penniless overnight
Sources --> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_occupation_of_Singapore
Bombs Used in World War II
Fat Man --> 
Little Boy -->
Sources --> https://www.google.com.sg/search?hl=en&q=Fat+man+bomb&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.&biw=1366&bih=565&wrapid=tlif136117526281210&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=-uIhUf0ywqysB-WbgcgD and https://www.google.com.sg/search?hl=en&q=Fat+man+bomb&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.&biw=1366&bih=565&wrapid=tlif136117526281210&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=-uIhUf0ywqysB-WbgcgD#um=1&hl=en&tbo=d&tbm=isch&q=little+boy+bomb&revid=1180493565&sa=X&ei=HuQhUdPeFJCsrAfA3IHIBA&ved=0CE0QgxY&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.&bvm=bv.42553238,d.bmk&fp=254b609bb3abadce&biw=1366&bih=565
Little Boy -->
Sources --> https://www.google.com.sg/search?hl=en&q=Fat+man+bomb&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.&biw=1366&bih=565&wrapid=tlif136117526281210&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=-uIhUf0ywqysB-WbgcgD and https://www.google.com.sg/search?hl=en&q=Fat+man+bomb&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.&biw=1366&bih=565&wrapid=tlif136117526281210&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=-uIhUf0ywqysB-WbgcgD#um=1&hl=en&tbo=d&tbm=isch&q=little+boy+bomb&revid=1180493565&sa=X&ei=HuQhUdPeFJCsrAfA3IHIBA&ved=0CE0QgxY&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.&bvm=bv.42553238,d.bmk&fp=254b609bb3abadce&biw=1366&bih=565
How & When the Japanese Surrendered?
 |
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_occupation_of_Singapore http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTvuv86wBqR_huUhhH-ti-BEsk4Fga2S5jvpam4HAYFafojGDNUYoMSTw
What happened when Singapore was bombed by the Japanese?
| When Singapore was bombed |
“ Rudely awakened in the small hours of the morning by the screams of air raid sirens and the roar of ack ack guns and in the clear moonlit sky around a formation of Japanese bombers. Bombs were dropped but none fell in our area. So the war in the Far East started - all day we heard news bulletins telling of the wide spread treachery of the Japs - Well! They've asked for it - !! — Diary and 'Line' book written by the pilots of No. 453 Squadron RAAF ”
Sources : http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTAR1VXz50Z2kQ_Gi78IYpsLGVJy_YIOg72lMq8ZHMH21wKQYL3r0pPotohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombing_of_Singapore_%281941%29
1942 - 1945
The Japanese occupation of Singapore in World War II occurred between 1942 and 1945 after the fall of Singapore on 15 February 1942. Military forces of the Empire of Japan occupied Singapore after defeating the combined Australian, British, Indian and Malayan garrison in the Battle of Singapore. The occupation was to become a major turning point in the history of several nations, including that of Japan, Britain and the then-colonial state of Singapore. Singapore was renamed to Syonanto (昭南島 Shōnantō), which means "Southern Island gained in the age of Shōwa". The name is frequently mistranslated as "Light of the South", even in Singaporean textbooks.
Singapore was officially returned to British colonial rule on 12 September 1945, following the formal signing of the surrender instrument at the Municipal Building.
Sources --> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_occupation_of_Singapore
Singapore was officially returned to British colonial rule on 12 September 1945, following the formal signing of the surrender instrument at the Municipal Building.
Sources --> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_occupation_of_Singapore
Key figures in World War II In S'pore
Benito Mussolini
Benito Mussolini founded Fascism and ruled Italy as a dictator for more than 21 years. He dreamed of making Italy into a great empire . He banned all other parties and took control of industry, schools, the police and the media . Il Duce joined an alliance with German dictator Adolf Hitler. Both countries sent soldiers to Spain to support General Franco in the Spanish Civil War . In 1943 Mussolini was arrested but soon later rescued by German commandoes . In 1945 Italians who were against fascism captured Mussolini as he wanted to escape to Switzerland . The next day he was shot to death. Franklin D. Roosevelt
FDR, as he was also called, was the only president elected four times. He served for more than 12 years, longer than any other person. Roosevelt became president during the Great Depression, which was a hard time for American economy . One out of four workers had lost their jobs and many families had no money to buy food or clothes. President Roosevelt created a programme called the New Deal in which the government helped poor people, gave them work and paid for food and shelter . President Roosevelt tried to keep America out of World War II, but when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbour the United States entered the war. Roosevelt was a strong leader throughout the war . He died shortly before the war ended in 1945.
Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill was the Prime Minister of Great Britain during the Second World War. He was a strong leader and a talented speaker, writer and painter. Churchill held speeches that gave the British people hope and courage during the horrible years of the war. After Germany’s surrender in 1945 Churchill lost his job as Prime Minister but returned in 1951. In 1953 he won the Nobel Prize for Literature.
Joseph Stalin
Joseph Stalin was the dictator of the USSR from 1929 until 1953. During his rule , the Soviet Union became one of the world’s greatest powers. In the late 1800s Stalin joined a group of Marxist revolutionaries . Although Stalin had not played a big role during the Russian Revolution he started gaining power. When Lenin died Stalin took control. He was a ruthless dictator , in many ways like Hitler, and had millions of people killed or exiled because they threatened his power or opposed his plans. After World War II the Soviet army stayed in the eastern part of Europe and Stalin set up communist governments there. 
Harry Truman
Harry Truman became president in the spring of 1945, shortly before the war in Europe ended . In August of the same year Truman decided to use the atomic bomb to end the war against Japan.Sources : http://www.english-online.at/history/world-war-2/key-figures-of-world-war-ii.htm
Sunday, 17 February 2013
Japanese Soldier's Punishment
After the Japanese surrendered , some of the soldiers were ordered to perform heavy manual work under the Allied forces' supervision after the surrender . Some of the jobs , are clearing the pieces of the collapsed building and help to clear out the habour.From there , Singapore continued to be under the British Control.
Sources:
Marshall Cavendish Education . Singapore From Settlement To Nation .
Sources:
Marshall Cavendish Education . Singapore From Settlement To Nation .
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