ONE STEP CLOSER . . .

In March of last year my wife and I spent a few days in Singapore. The trip initially started out as a holiday, but when I saw how wartime history has been preserved there, I immediately started exploring the various sites to see what I could learn. I felt it was important to learn more about the background of the fall of Singapore and how the POWs spent the early part of their incarceration before they were sent to Taiwan.

I managed to take in quite a bit of information and got some great glimpses into the POWs’ story on that first trip, but time ran out for me and I vowed I would return again to complete the research I had started.

So on January 24 this year, we returned once again to the beautiful “garden city”. Having seen the main wartime sites on my previous visit - ie. Changi Prison Museum and Chapel, The Battle Box Command HQ, the Kranji War Cemetery, as well as a number of well-known historic sites in the downtown area, this time I wanted to explore further afield and check out the sites of the battle - which are not so easily accessible to the average tourist.

The day following our arrival was pouring rain but as I had a schedule to keep I set out for my appointed rounds. Firsta visit to Bukit Timah Hill where one of the fiercest battles was fought and then on to Bukit Batok Hill where the POWs were forced to build a monument to the Japanese war dead.

From there I made my way to the old Ford Factory where Japanese General Yamashita accepted the surrender of General Percival and the Allied forces - the beginning of 3 1/2 horrible years of suffering for more than 125,000 POWs.

The old Ford Factory - where the Allies surrendered to the Japanese

From the Ford Factory I went to the south coast to explore the coastal batteries and bunkers left from the battles in that area. Then on to the Alexandra Hospital to see where the terrible massacre of innocent doctors, nurses and patients was perpetrated by the Japanese army on February 14, 1942. I talked with the PR department staff who were most helpful in providing additional information.

In the afternoon I went out to Changi Beach and saw the place where hundreds of innocent Chinese civilians were murdered, while the POWs were forced to watch and then later to bury the dead.

I revisited Changi Prison Museum and had another talk with the curator there. While there I spent a little time at the POW Chapel Memorial - reflecting once again in the POWs’ story and what they suffered for our freedom.

The next day - with much improved weather, we visited Sentosa Island - a popular tourist and amusement venue. First on the agenda was a visit to Fort Siloso on the western end of the island - the site of the big guns during the last days of Singapore. Then it was on to the Images of Singapore exhibit with its excellent display of wartime history, complete with very realistic dioramas.

The trip was a great success and I now feel I have a better grounding in the POWs’ story. Knowing “how it all began” in Singapore will give a better basis for firther research and will bring us ONE STEP CLOSER to the Taiwan POWs’ story!