7 February 1942 - - -The Fake attack on Pulau Ubin
History Project 1998
World War 2 in Singapore
7 Feb 1942-15 Feb 1942 - - - The Japanese attack in Singapore
7 February 1942 - - -The Fake attack on Pulau Ubin
Japanese attacked Pulau Ubin on this day to mislead the British soldiers that they were going to attacked from the northeast. Because of this, precious stocks of defences supplies like petrol and explosives were moved from the Northwest to the Norteast.
Landing of the Japanese soldiers in Singapore
The Japanese landed on Singapore on the Northwest of Singapore using rubber boats and raft. The Japanese tanks were also floated across the river to Singapore. Allied soldiers opened fired at the Japanese but the Japanese could be stop as there was too much space to open fire at the Japanese.
The repaired Causeway and the misinterpreted command
The Japanese quickly repaired the Causeway and war equipment was sent to Singapore and the Japanese soldiers were easily moved into Singapore. General A.E. Percival gave a command to withdraw to protect town centre if the situation calls for the worst. But it was misinterpreted into withdraw immediately, so the British soldiers in the Western part of the island retreated even before the Japanese soldiers moved into the area. Counter attacks were made half-heartedly when the mistakes were discovered.
11 Feb 1942 - - - The Bukit Timah battle
It was a place where fight was held between the Allied soldiers with the help of many Chinese volunteers against the Japanese as Bukit Timah hill contains many stocks of food and ammunition and vehicles and machines parts there. The North-eastern slope of the hill faced a reservoir, which was an important source of water supply for the people of Singapore. So in order to protect these precious resources, a fierce fight was held.
13 Feb 1942 - - - The Battle at Pasir Panjang
Pasir Panjang at that time was close to Alexandra hospital, where the main ammunition stores and British military hospital were located. There, Lt. Adnan bin Saidi and his soldiers fought bravely against the Japanese and killed many of them. Japanese who themselves disguised as Indian soldiers were spotted by Lt. Adnan bin Saidi and was killed and the rest fled down the hill, but this success was not for long as the Japanese surrounded the hill and conquered Pasir Panjang. The captured Lt. Adnan bin Saidi was caught and stabbed to by the Japanese.
The Massacre at Alexandra Hospital
The Japanese killed a British coporal who was lying on the operation table, doctors, nurses and the hospital staff.
15 Feb 1942 - - - The British’s surrender
A meeting was held in the underground bunker at Fort Cunning hill. General Percival wanted a counter attack but his commanders were against the idea because the British soldiers were very tired and their food and water supplies were running out and a counter attack means more bloodshed. So a decision to surrender was mage and the British signed the treaty of surrender at Ford Motor Factory in Bukit Timah. Percival was unknown that the Japanese ‘s ammunition was also running out and the British soldiers outnumbered the Japanese soldier about three times. It was a cheerless Chinese New Year’s day for all the people in Singapore as this surrender makes the Nightmare of the Japanese Occupation.