Learn on the go. Check out our playlists for collections of short videos, and learning packages for articles, that will give you a slice of history and heritage.
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Fall of the Gibraltar of the East
Playlist
A collection of short videos or selected podcasts, exploring topics around Japanese Occupation.
Playlist: Japanese Occupation - Fall of the Gibraltar of the East
Singapore used to be the British stronghold and nicknamed the “Gibraltar of the East”. It was captured by the Japanese after fierce fighting that lasted between 8-15 February 1942.
Check out these resources to help you gain some understanding of the events which led to the fall of Singapore.
Ep 1: The Singapore Strategy | Roots.Sg (4 mins)
"After WWI, the British constructed a huge naval base at Sembawang, but the battle fleet could not be housed there due to economic reasons. As a compromise, they would only send their main battle fleet from the Atlantic to the Asia-Pacific when a threat was imminent. This was known as the Singapore Strategy".
Source: Ep 1: The Singapore Strategy (2017, Mar 17). Roots Sg. Retrieved 2022, January 12.
Ep 2: The Battle for Singapore | Roots.Sg (5 mins)
Civilians started preparations for defence while the Japanese began their invasion of Singapore.
Source: Ep 2: The Battle for Singapore (2017, Apr 12). Roots.Sg. Retrieved 2022, January 12
Learning Package: Gibraltar of the East
From 8 December 1941 till 31 January 1942, a military campaign known as Malayan campaign was fought by the Allied (mainly the British Commonwealth) and Axis (primarily the Japanese) forces in Malaya.
The invading Japanese 25th Army troops under Lieutenant General Tomoyuki Yamashita fought the British, Indian and Australian troops. Multiple factors led to the ultimate defeat and fall of Singapore.
Did you know...
There was also a volunteer force who helped defend Singapore. They were made up of Europeans, Chinese and Eurasians from all walks of life.
These curated set of articles and books will help you understand how Singapore as “Gibraltar of the East” prepared for the imminent threat of Japanese invasion.
Articles
Malayan Campaign by Ho, Stephanie.
“The Malayan Campaign consisted of a series of battles fought in Malaya between Allied (mainly British Commonwealth) and Axis (primarily Japanese) forces. The campaign began on 8 December 1941 when Japanese forces landed in Singora and Patani in southern Thailand, and Kota Bharu in northern Malaya. The campaign ended on 31 January 1942 with the Japanese forces gaining control of the Malay Peninsula.”
Source: Malayan Campaign (2013, Jul 19).Singapore Infopedia.Retrieved 2021, January 19.
Singapore Volunteer Corps by Soong, Alec and Goh, Lee Kim.
Learn about the formation of such a group and how the Straits Settlements Volunteer Force defended Singapore.
Source: Singapore Volunteer Corps (2021, Oct).Singapore Infopedia.Retrieved 2021, January 19.
eBooks
The defence and fall of Singapore 1940-1942
Farrell, Brian P. (2017). The defence and fall of Singapore 1940-1942. Lanham: Monsoon Books Pte. Ltd.
A study on how and why Singapore fell, and its significance in the British military history, based on primary documents in Britain, Australia and Singapore.
Retrieved from OverDrive (a myLibrary username is required to access the eBook).
Bicycle blitzkrieg: The Malayan Campaign And The Fall Of Singapore
Headrick, LCDR Alan C. (2014). Bicycle blitzkrieg: The Malayan Campaign And The Fall Of Singapore. San Francisco: Pickle Partners Publishing.
Written as a paper for the Faculty of the Naval War College in 1994, the author discusses the operational strategies deployed by the Japanese and British which led to different consequences and the lessons learnt.
Retrieved from OverDrive (a myLibrary username is required to access the eBook).
Operation Matador: World War II: Britain's attempt to foil the Japanese invasion of Malaya and Singapore
Ong, Chit Chung. (2013). Operation Matador: World War II: Britain’s attempt to foil the Japanese invasion of Malaya and Singapore. Singapore: Marshall Cavendish Editions.
The author provides an extensive coverage of the British military planners' plans to counter the Japanese threat and discusses the reasons for their ineffectiveness.
Retrieved from OverDrive (a myLibrary usernameis required to access the eBook).
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Liberation and Aftermath of War
Playlist
A collection of short videos or selected podcasts, exploring topics around Japanese Occupation.
Playlist: Japanese Occupation - Liberation and Aftermath of War
Japanese surrender ceremony on 12 September 1945 at City Hall (then known as Municipal Building of Singapore) marked the end of Japanese Occupation in Southeast Asia. Singapore embarked on a road of recovery from the war.
Check out these resources to relive moments during the Japanese surrender.
Ep 4: Japan's Surrender and Victory Celebrations | Roots.Sg (3 mins)
Japan surrendered following the dropping of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. On 12 September 1945, the Japanese forces surrendered to the British at the Municipal building, officially marking the end of the Japanese occupation of Singapore.
Source: Ep 4: Japan's Surrender and Victory Celebrations | Roots.Sg (2017, Sep 25). Roots Sg. Retrieved 2022, January 12.
Civilian War Memorial Singapore - Part One | warinasia (4 mins)
Recounts the Civilian War Memorial project, a monument dedicated to civilians who perished during the Japanese Occupation of Singapore (1942–45).
Source: Civilian War Memorial Singapore - Part One | warinasia (2017, Sep 28). warinasia. Retrieved 2022, January 12.Learning Package: Liberation and Aftermath of War
Japanese surrender in 1945 led to widespread jubilation. British military administration was soon set up to restore law and order during the immediate post-war period. Singapore faced severe food shortages, unemployment, overcrowded living conditions and insufficient healthcare.
Dissatisfaction with the British government and a series of factors led to the political awakening amongst emerging young leaders with rising anti-colonial and nationalist sentiments. Violent unrests with labour and student riots, communal tensions and inter-ethnic conflicts marked the next two decades after the war.
Did you know...
The discovery of human remains at an area off Siglap Road in 1962 led to investigations and discovery of over 40 mass graves. The remains were later exhumed, cremated and reburied at the Civilian War Memorial monument.
These curated set of articles and books are just the tip of a plethora of resources on the aftermath of war.
Articles
Double Tenth trial by Wong, Heng.
In a war crime trial between 18 March to 15 April 1946, 21 of the Kempeitai, military police arm of the Imperial Japanese Army, involved in the Double Tenth incident were charged for the atrocities they committed against 57 civilians whom they suspected were involved in a raid at Singapore Harbour. The raid had been carried out by Anglo-Australian commandos under codename Operation Jaywick.
Source: Double Tenth trial by Wong, Heng (2017).Singapore Infopedia.Retrieved 2022, March 16.
Civilian War Memorial by Cornelius-Takahama, Vernon.
Located on a parkland along Beach Road and opposite Raffles City, the Civilian War Memorial is a gazetted national monument dedicated to civilians who perished during the Japanese Occupation of Singapore. The memorial was built on a burial chamber containing 606 urns of the remains of unknown civilians exhumed from more than 40 mass graves.
Source: Civilian War Memorial by Cornelius-Takahama, Vernon (2017).Singapore Infopedia.Retrieved 2022, March 16.
eBooks
Conflict and violence in Singapore and Malaysia, 1945-1983
Clutterbuck, Richard. (2019). Conflict and violence in Singapore and Malaysia, 1945-1983. Abingdon: Routledge.
Originally published in 1984. Covers mainly the historical aspects of the revolutionary attempts in Singapore and Malaysia from 1940s to the 1960s.
Retrieved from OverDrive (a myLibrary username is required to access the eBook).
Books
With freedom to Singapore: a social & administrative assessment of post-war Singapore 1945-1950
Gilmour, Oswald Wellington. (2020). With freedom to Singapore: a social & administrative assessment of post-war Singapore 1945-1950. [Place of publication not identified]: [Patrick Gilmour]. (Call no.: RSING 959.57023 GIL)
An in-depth study of Singapore during the immediate post-war years between 1945-1950, covering the civil, political, and social aspects. First published in 1950.
My role in the rehabilitation of Singapore: 1946-1953
Gilmour, Andrew. (1973). My role in the rehabilitation of Singapore: 1946-1953. Singapore: Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. (Call no.: RSING 959.57024 GIL)
One of the oral history pilot studies by ISEAS. Focuses on Andrew Gilmour, "who was one of the chief architects of the reconstruction of Singapore's war-torn economy", with his recollections of the initial post-war years in Singapore.
Political development in Singapore, 1945-55
Yeo, Kim Wah. (1973). Political development in Singapore, 1945-55. Singapore: Singapore University Press. (Call no.: RSING 320.95957 YEO)
Originally presented as the author's thesis (M.A.), University of Singapore. Throws light on the origins of Singapore's independence movement.
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Memories of Japanese Occupation
Learning Package: Memories of Japanese Occupation
The collective and personal memories of survivors of the Japanese Occupation document the daily lives of those who had lived through this period, including the victors and the vanquished who fought in the war.
As time passes, the war legacy lives on through these memoirs, autobiographies and biographies, as reminders and lessons for future generations.
Did you know...
Operation Sook Ching robbed many lives and left an indelible mark on families who had to cope with the loss of loved ones who never returned home during those fateful days. Many recalled the lost lives and recounted their lucky escape from death.
These selected articles and books present a snapshot of people’s experiences during the Japanese Occupation.
Articles
Operation Sook Ching by Ho, Stephanie.
Operation Sook Ching was a military operation carried out by the Japanese in Singapore from 21 February to 4 March 1942. Chinese men between the ages of 18 and 50 under suspicion of being anti-Japanese would be detained at various mass screening centres and executed.
Source: Operation Sook Ching (2013, Jun 17).Singapore Infopedia.Retrieved 2022, March 3.
Many died under the torture of Kempeitai, the Japanese military police force, whose main task was to crush all resistance to the Japanese military rule. They had a main jail in Outram and several branches in Chinatown, Oxley Road and the Central Police Station.
Source: Kempeitai (2017).Singapore Infopedia.Retrieved 2022, March 3.
eBooks
Sayonara Singapura
Joseph John, Parapuram. (2016). Sayonara Singapura. [Leics, United Kingdom]: Monsoon Books.
An eyewitness account of the Japanese occupation of Singapore and Malaya by a career journalist who worked with The Malaya Tribune before and after the war.
Retrieved from OverDrive (a myLibrary username is required to access the eBook).
Within Changi's walls: a record of civilian internment in World War II
Peet, George L. (2015). Within Changi’s walls: a record of civilian internment in World War II. Singapore: Marshall Cavendish Editions.
The former internee's diaries and records preserved the story of life at Changi Goal and Sime Road Camp, where the human spirit triumph over adversity.
Retrieved from OverDrive (a myLibrary username is required to access the eBook).
A Baba boyhood: growing up during World War 2
Gwee, Thian Hock. (2013). A Baba boyhood: growing up during World War 2. Singapore: Marshall Cavendish.
Author shares his experiences growing up during the Japanese occupation among the Peranakan community.
Retrieved from OverDrive (a myLibrary username is required to access the eBook).
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Fall of Singapore
Learning Package: Fall of Singapore
The fall of Singapore on 15 February 1942 in the Second World War is, as Winston Churchill put it, ‘the worst disaster and largest capitulation in British history’.
Since 1942, there has been a steady flow of books and articles on this subject. Earlier works focused on the conduct of the military campaign, but as the archives started opening their records, the focus has shifted to the broader issues of strategy and international relations.
Did you know...
Total Defence Day was launched in 1984 and commemorated on 15th February every year. It marks the fall of Singapore to the Japanese in 1942 and serves as a reminder for every Singapore to play a part in building a strong, secure and cohesive nation.
These curated set of articles and books shed lights on the historic event.
Articles
Battle of Singapore by Ho, Stephanie.
The Battle of Singapore, which took place from 8 to 15 February 1942, saw the capture of Singapore by the Japanese and the largest British surrender in history.
Source: Battle of Singapore (2013, Jul 19).Singapore Infopedia.Retrieved 2022, February 4.
First Air Raid on Singapore by Chua, Alvin.
The first air raid on Singapore occurs during the early morning of 8 December 1941. Seventeen Japanese planes from the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Force struck many targets including Chinatown, Raffles Place and Keppel Harbour, resulting in 61 casualties and 133 injuries.
Source: First air raid on Singapore (2013, Jul 19).Singapore Infopedia.Retrieved 2022, February 4.
eBooks
The fall of Malaya and Singapore: rare photographs from wartime archives
Diamond, Jon. (2015). The fall of Malaya and Singapore: rare photographs from wartime archives. Barnsley, S. Yorkshire: Pen & Sword Military.
Captivating images that illustrate the defeat of British forces in Malaya and Singapore.
Retrieved from OverDrive (a myLibrary username is required to access the eBook).
Singapore's dunkirk
Brooke, Geoffrey. (2014). Singapore’s dunkirk. Havertown: Pen and Sword Military.
Narrates the ordeals of those who sought to escape by whatever means they could find after the fall of Singapore.
Retrieved from OverDrive (a myLibrary username is required to access the eBook).
A great betrayal?: the fall of Singapore revisited
Farrell, Brian Padair & Hunter, Sandy (Eds.). (2013). A great betrayal?: the fall of Singapore revisited. Singapore: Marshall Cavendish Editions.
A collection of essays by history professors and military history experts on their analyses and impressions about the Fall of Singapore in 1942.
Retrieved from OverDrive (a myLibrary username is required to access the eBook).
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Under the Japanese Rule
Playlist
A collection of short videos or selected podcasts, exploring topics around Japanese Occupation.
Playlist: Under the Japanese Rule and Memories of War
The swift success of the Japanese invasion of Malaya and Singapore turned Singapore into Syonan-to. Life under the Japanese occupied “Light of the South Island” was hard and it was all about survival.
Check out these resources to help you gain some understanding of life under Japanese rule during the three years and seven months.
Ep 3: British Surrender & Japanese Occupation | Roots.Sg (4 mins)
British surrender marks the beginning of the Japanese Occupation. Hear the World War II survivors’ stories during this period of time.
Source: Ep 3: British Surrender & Japanese Occupation | Roots.Sg (2017, May 9). Roots Sg. Retrieved 2022, January 12.
From The Stacks Episode 18 – The Syonan Shimbun by Lee Meiyu and Fiona Tan | NLB Singapore (3 mins)
Librarian Lee Meiyu and archivist Fiona Tan present "The Syonan Shimbun", an English newspaper published during the Japanese Occupation of Singapore. Together with its Chinese imprint 昭南日报 "Zhaonan Ribao", it carried official notices, wartime propaganda and price lists of essential goods, serving as a historic record of what people went through during the Japanese Occupation.
Source: The Stacks Episode 18 – The Syonan Shimbun by Lee Meiyu and Fiona Tan | NLB Singapore (2021, Nov 16). NLB Singapore. Retrieved 2022, January 12.
From The Stacks Episode 19 – Chop Suey by Gracie Lee and Raymon Huang | NLB Singapore (5 mins)
Senior librarian Gracie Lee and Japanese Occupation survivor Raymon Huang talk about "Chop Suey", a series of illustrated books featuring 36 charcoal drawings of the atrocities committed by Japanese soldiers during the Japanese Occupation of Singapore. It was illustrated by artist Liu Kang and published in 1946.
Source: The Stacks Episode 19 – Chop Suey by Gracie Lee and Raymon Huang | NLB Singapore (2021, Nov 18). NLB Singapore. Retrieved 2022, January 12.
The comfort women of Singapore during the Japanese Occupation: a dark heritage trail | NationalMuseumSG (60 mins)
Professor Kevin Blackburn discusses the comfort women of Singapore from memories of the experiences of these women and women's experiences during war as transnational history. The "comfort stations" set up by the Japanese at that time were located across Singapore in Cairnhill Road and Cairnhill Circle, Tanjong Katong Road, Bukit Pasoh Road, Pulau Bukom.
Source: The comfort women of Singapore during the Japanese Occupation: a dark heritage trail (2019, Aug 18). NationalMuseumSG. Retrieved 2022, January 12.
Learning Package: Under the Japanese Rule
The invading Japanese 25th Army troops led by Lieutenant General Tomoyuki Yamashita fought the British, Indian and Australian troops. Unfortunately, multiple factors led to the ultimate defeat and fall of Singapore.
Syonan-to became Singapore's official name when it was occupied and ruled by the Japanese military forces. Meaning "Light of the South Island", it was part of Japan's Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere, a concept which Japan intended to create a self-sufficient bloc of Asian nations led by them and be freed from Western rule.
Did you know...
Endau settlement in the Malayan state of Johor and Bahau settlement in the Malayan state of Negeri Sembilan were set up to address shortage in food supplies. Voluntary migration was encouraged to populate these new agricultural settlements to grow their own food and become self-sufficient.
These curated set of articles and books will help you understand life under Japanese rule.
Articles
Bahau settlement by Chia, Joshua Yeong Jia and Tan,Florence.
The Bahau settlement was set up for Eurasians and Chinese Roman Catholics in November 1943, to migrate there and be self-sufficient in growing their own food. It was also known as Fuji-Go in Japanese to mean "beautiful village”.
Source: Bahau settlement (2020, May).Singapore Infopedia.Retrieved 2022, February 10.
Endau settlement by Chia, Joshua Yeong Jia.
Endau settlement was considered one of the most successful settlement for Chinese settlers, where they could farm and live off the land. It was also known as New Syonan Model Farm.
Source: Endau settlement (2019, Aug).Singapore Infopedia.Retrieved 2022, February 10.
eBook
The surrender of Singapore: three years of hell 1942-45
Wynn, S. (2017). The surrender of Singapore: three years of hell 1942-45. Havertown: Pen and Sword Military.
Written by a retired police officer, he tells of the story of the three years of life under Japanese Occupation where Chinese civilians and Commonwealth soldiers faced incidents such as the Sook Ching massacre and the Burma Railway death march.
Retrieved from OverDrive (a myLibrary username is required to access the eBook).
Books
The Japanese occupation of Malaya and Singapore, 1941-45: a social and economic history
Kratoska, Paul H. (2018). The Japanese occupation of Malaya and Singapore, 1941-45: a social and economic history. Singapore: NUS Press. (Call no.: RSING 959.5103 KRA)
First published in 1998, Kratoska presents a picture of life under Japanese Occupation in Malaya and Singapore.
Syonan: Singapore under the Japanese 1942-1945
Lee, Geok Boi. (2017). Syonan: Singapore under the Japanese 1942-1945. Singapore: Singapore Heritage Society and Landmark Books. (Call no.: RSING 940.535957 LEE)
This revised edition frames the social memories of Singapore residents who lived through the Japanese military administration.
New perspectives on the Japanese occupation in Malaya and Singapore, 1941-1945
Akashi, Yōji & Yoshimura, Mako (Eds.). (2008). New perspectives on the Japanese occupation in Malaya and Singapore, 1941-1945. Singapore: NUS Press. (Call no.: RSING 940.5337 NEW)
A collection of articles that cover various topics on Japanese Occupation of Malaya and Singapore, based on Japanese primary sources, and sources from the archives and libraries in Britain, Malaysia, Singapore, United States, Australia and India.