history ntosa : Se : dit e R C JourneyWARTIME into Singapore’s military historyTRAI at these lS historic sites and trails. Fort Siloso ingapore’s rich military history and significance in World War II really comes alive when you make the effort to see the sights for yourself. There are four major sites for military buffs to visit. If you Sprefer to stay around the city centre, go for the Civic District or Pasir Panjang trails, but if you have time to venture out further, you can pay tribute to the victims of war at Changi and Kranji. The Japanese invasion of February 1942 February 8 February 9 February 10 February 13-14 February 15 Japanese troops land and Kranji Beach Battle for Bukit Battle of Pasir British surrender Singapore M O attack Sarimbun Beach Battle Timah PanjangID Ridge to the JapaneseP D H L R I E O R R R O C O A H A D O D T R E R E O R O T A RC S D CIVIC DISTRICT HAR D R IA O OA R D O X T D L C A E CC1 NE6 NS24 4 I O Singapore’s civic district, which Y V R Civic District R 3 DHOBY GHAUT E I G S E ID was once the site of the former FORT CA R N B NI N CC2 H 5 G T D Y E LI R A A U N BRAS BASAH K O O W British colony’s commercial and N N R H E G H I V C H A A L E L U B O administrative activities in the C A I E B N C RA N S E B 19th and 20th century, is where A R I M SA V E H E L R RO C VA A you’ll find plenty of important L T D L E EY E R R O T CC3 A S EW13 NS25 2 D L ESPLANADE buildings and places of interest. L I CITY HALL H 1 D Start at Esplanade A O R RA S 1 FF D ’ LES A BO W E ULE Park near City Hall MRT O E VARD R V R I E R T D E G D E N R ID A T E V station, historically significant T R T H I S B N G R I N H U D E A T A S R S E RAFFLE N S AVENUE M G O D as recreation grounds for early E N N N A R O C O N H T C A A N U L T E R P Singaporeans. Today, it houses O S AD E landmarks like the Cenotaph, a war memorial erected in honour Another major site Occupation from 1942 to 1945. of those who fought and died downtown is the 2 Civilian War You can catch more during World Wars I and II. Memorial, affectionately known glimpses into Singapore’s While you’re here, don’t miss the to locals as ‘The Chopsticks’ past under Japanese rule at Indian National Army Monument, thanks to the four tall, straight 3 Singapore Art Museum the Lim Bo Seng Memorial and pillars rising up to 60 metres (formerly St. Joseph’s Institution, the Tan Kim Seng Fountain, high. The monument pays tribute a boy’s school) as well as the each of which has its own to all who suffered or perished 4 YMCA. During WWII, the historical story to tell. during the harrowing Japanese former school grounds were history used by the British for military casualties, then by the Japanese army as temporary barracks during their occupation. The YCMA, meanwhile, was the headquarters of the much- feared Japanese military police, the Kempeitai, and was the site of brutal interrogations of Singapore’s civilians. end your tour of the district Fort Canning Park at 5 Fort Canning Park, a small hill that was once a fort can get an impression of what tactic that didn’t work on the complete with military barracks life there was like through the Japanese forces in 1942, to the (now Fort Canning Centre), museum’s five zones. Highlights British troops’ dismay. Nearby underground bunker (now The not to miss are the touching is 3 Selarang Camp, formerly Battle Box) and an arms store, artworks (including the Changi Selarang Barracks, which was and played an important role Murals) created by used by the Japanese army to in the defence of the island prisoners, and a house prisoners of war in during WWII. Frequently used replica of the poor, overcrowded living as an entertainment and live makeshift chapel conditions. music venue today, the park built by prisoners. While you’re in the has nonetheless retained its rich They hand-built area, stop by the idyllic history, and you can still see a this place of solace 4 Changi Village, where 9-pound cannon on site. If you’d out of whatever you’ll find plenty of local like to explore Fort Canning Changi Museum materials they had hawker fare, before ending Park further, you can also sign Chapel on hand—the cross, your tour at 5 Changi up for a free guided tour at for instance, was made out of a Beach Park, the site of one of www.nparks.gov.sg. spent artillery shell. the brutal Sook Ching massacres Down the road is 2 Johor in 1942, where 66 Chinese men CHANGI Battery, which comprises three identified as hostile elements in Military history buffs will replica naval guns installed by Singapore were lined up along undoubtedly be familiar with the British to defend Singapore the beach and executed by the Changi’s significance in WWII against invaders—a defence Kempeitai. and the Japanese Occupation— it was a site of wartime suffering and is well worth a day trip for 4 its moving history. For the full 5 VE A CHANGI CREEK Changi experience, you can G N RESERVOIR A Y JOHOR STRAIT O L book the award-winning Changi WWII tour from www.journeys. WILD WILD WET com.sg, which costs $55 per WATERPARK PASIR RIS D adult and $30 per child. R L O 3 YAN G W 3 A Start your trip at 1 The Y Changi Museum & Chapel. 2 VE A The original Changi Prison, G N A Y D T O CHANGI AIRPORT PE L OA 1 where Allied prisoners of war H R RT SINGAPORE O N 7 I were detained by the Japanese, VE G Changi A N ES A PIN H has been demolished, but you TAM C history D A AY O E R A R D N 3 A X JAL ntosa LE AN BUKIT A MERAH : Se : AYE dit e R 2 C D HORT A TELOK BLANGAH O HILL PARK PARK R A R D D A N O R CC26 A Fort Siloso KEP X N PASIR PANJANG PE E O L L S VI R A A DU E CT ND W HE EST C CC27 OAST HIG LABRADOR PARK HW AY CC28 oard TELOK BLANGAH B KEPPEL CLUB LABRADOR ibrary L NATURE RESERVE KEPPEL ISLAND ational 1 N : UNDERWATER WORLD dit e Pasir Panjang R C Memories at Old Ford Factory SENTOSA PASIR PANJANG entrance to Singapore’s harbour, and is now home The southwestern coast of Kranji D 3 A O R Singapore, Pasir Panjang to plenty of WWII artefacts Y T 2 L A (Malay for ‘long beach’) is (including actual artillery) IR ADM KRA D NJI W where history was made and memorabilia. ROA AY W IE T O in February 1942. In what You can learn more E K N R A N is known as the Battle of about the Battle of Pasir J I R O 2 E A Panjang Ridge at V Pasir Panjang Ridge, the I D KRANJI R D RESERVOIR T Japanese launched and Reflections at Bukit U D A K 1 won a two-day military Chandu, a historical gallery I B E K G E N of artefacts and multimedia U attack on the Allied forces S exhibits that trace the heroic defending the island—after MAN DAI RO which Singapore fell under footsteps of the Malay AD K L A Japanese control. Regiment soldiers as they D W A G O N R Today, this area is a fought bitterly against a A S K D U N A hubbub of commercial 13,000-strong Japanese H L C D A O U activity, being the gateway army. From here, take a O H C W B K to pleasure island Sentosa scenic stroll through the E and home to shopping Southern Ridges trail to 3 CHUA CHU malls VivoCity and Kent Ridge Park, the JE KANG K BU KIT HarbourFront Centre. You original slopes of Pasir PA NJ B A R NG Panjang where the battle IC can begin exploring the KL AN D R history of this area with was fought. OAD D A D O R A a short trip to Sentosa to O H R A K M I O T 1 T A T ARM RO explore . KRANJI I F A Fort Siloso B IRY D K A T D I U K B U Built by the British in the If your schedule permits, a B R E 4 P P 19th century, this fort was day trip to the northern part U meant to protect the western of Singapore is well worth history your time, for it’s the site of the remain quite untouched.