Chap 5 Part II 2015

Chap 5: Did the Japanese Occupation Change the Way People Viewed Singapore?

Chap 5:Did the Japanese Occupation Change the Way People Viewed Singapore?Part II Impact of the Japanese Occupation on Peoples Views Towards SingaporeWhat is happening in this picture?

Make a guess: what is the connection between these 2 men?

Empathy Exercise

Before and After Jack Sharpe, before the warHe was sent to Singapore a few days before the invasion of Singapore

Jack Sharpe, prisoner of war

Jack Sharpe, Feb 2002Changi Museum

7 Dec 1941: The Japanese attacked Pearl Harbour in Hawaii to destroy the American pacific fleet.

At the same time, Japan also began their attacks on Malaya and other parts of Southeast Asia by air, sea and land.

10 Dec 1941: HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse were sunk!On the other hand, the Japanese got more and more aggressive...

HMS Prince of WalesNow you see it...

Now you dont.Fall of the Impregnable FortressBy 8 Feb 1942, the Japanese had seized Johor and were ready to invade Singapore. Meanwhile, Britain was unable to send adequate reinforcements to defend Singapore. It had to concentrate most of its military forces in Europe and in North Africa since it was the only European Allied country left to fight against the Axis powers, which were rapidly expanding in Europe and North Africa. ActivityRead TB pages 24-25. Mark X at the important places of the battle of Singapore.

The Battle of Singapore Map, 1942

The Battle of Singapore6 Feb: Japanese took over Sultans palace, which had a tower that could allow the Japanese to have a clear view of northern Singapore. 8 Feb: diversionary attack (British moved troops and supplies from north-west to the north-east)8 Feb: Japanese troops crossed into Singapore at Kranji and via repaired Causeway11 Feb: Japanese troops captured Bukit Timah. Not only was Bukit Timah the highest point on the island, but it was also where the British petrol, oil and supply depots were located. General Yamashita set up his headquarters at the Ford Motor Factory.After the loss of the Bukit Timah area, Allied troops were ordered to withdraw to the final defence perimeter around the city area stretching from Pasir Panjang to Kallang.The Battle of Singapore13 Feb: the Japanese attacked Pasir Panjang Ridge. The ridge was a key location leading to the Allied forces main ammunition magazine, main ordinance depot, the Alexandra Military Hospital and other military installations. The Malay Regiment put up a strong resistance but was eventually overwhelmed by the superior numbers and weapons of the Japanese. 14 Feb: Massacre at the Alexandra Military Hospital

The Massacre at the Alexandar Military HospitalFor about one hour, three large groups of Japanese soldiers attacked the hospital. They went from room to room shooting, bayonetting and beating up doctors, orderlies and patients indiscriminately. They even killed an anaesthetized patient who was still lying on the operating table. About 50 men were killed in this first round. Around 3:30 p.m., 200 men were rounded up, tied into groups of eight and forced to march toward a row of buildings some distance from the hospital. The gravely injured were not spared and were killed if they fell along the way.

Upon reaching their destination, which was a row of outhouses, the men were divided into groups of 50 to 70 people and crammed into three small rooms. There was no ventilation and they lacked water. They had neither space to sit nor lie down. Under these terrible conditions, some men died during the night. The following morning, the remaining men were told that they would receive water. By 11:00 a.m. the Japanese captors allowed the prisoners to leave the rooms in groups of two on the pretext of their fetching water. However, as the screams and cries of those who had left the rooms could be heard by those still inside, it became clear that the Japanese were executing the prisoners when they left the rooms. The death toll numbered approximately 100 prisoners.The Battle of Singapore15 Feb 1942, Lt Gen Percival met his commanders at the Fort Canning underground bunker. He wanted to discuss ways to counterattack, but his commanders were against the idea. They were running out of food and water, and the soldiers were tired. To prevent further bloodshed, the British decided to surrender to the Japanese.

Later that day, Percival and his surrender party met Yamashita at the Japanese headquarters located at the Ford Factory and officially surrendered Singapore to the Japanese forces.

Why did the British fail to stop the Japanese?Why did the British fail to stop the Japanese? FactorsJapaneseBritish Priorityto conquer countries in SEA for raw materials clear objectives of conquering Singaporewar in Europe was more importantEquipmenthad tanks and modern weaponsappropriate transport (bikes)did not have tanksLeadershipeffective and skilful effective strategieswell prepared (had spies) not decisive or forcefulofficers could not agree with one another Troops well-trained in jungle warfarecommitted and loyal not well-trained in jungle warfaredisorganized and complacent Neat 20Before the war, the Japanese set up intelligence services in Malaya and Singapore to provide information on British defence and readiness.

Japanese troops were experienced :Had previously fought in Manchuria and China. Trained in jungle warfare (knew that bicycles were an appropriate mode of transport through the jungles)

The Japanese were determined to achieve victory in Asia. The soldiers had high morale because of their victory in Pearl Harbour and in other parts of Asia.

Modern air force and naval fleet (zero fighter planes)

Japanese force: ambitious, resourceful and well-prepared.On the other hand.The British were too complacent. They believed that their measures to defend Singapore were adequate; that Singapore was well-defendedwere too overconfident. They did not view the Japanese as real threats as they had a condescending attitude towards the Japanese; often referred to them as short, yellow, buck-tooth Japs and thus felt that the Japanese army, navy and airforce were inferior. They also believed that they could rely on the US Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbour if the Japanese really attacked. British: overconfident and unprepared, and tied up elsewhereThe British was also fighting a war in Europe (against Germany and Italy) and North Africa. They considered Europe and North Africa more important than the war in Asia and the Pacific region and thus could not send enough warplanes and battleships to the Asia and Pacific region to fight against the Japanese.British: tied up elsewhereSo JapaneseWeapons were modernIntensive preparations jungle warfareNice (effective) strategies usedSpies sent to Malaya and Singapore British Lack of modern weaponsOpinions of generals were differentStrategies used was not effective Europe was their main focus, not AsiaSoldiers not experienced in jungle warfare15 Feb the final discussion

When Singapore was Syonan-toWithin 8 days, the battle for Singapore was over and Singapore officially came under the rule of the Japanese military government.

Singapore was renamed Syonan-to, Light of the South.Clocks were moved forward one and a half hours to follow Tokyo time. People had few means to escape from Singapore and had to face life under the new Japanese rulers. Dispelling the myth of the White Mans SuperiorityAfter the British surrendered, the Japanese interned the Australians, the British and other Europeans, including women and children at the Sime Road Camp, Changi Jail and Selarang Barracks. The POWs had to do menial tasks such as repairing the cleaning the dock facilities, water works and the airfields damaged by Japanese bombs during the invasion.They were given very little food. Many of the POWs became very thin and malnourished. The Eurasians were also treated harshly, and many of them were interned as well. The Japanese despised them because of their association with the Europeans. Furthermore, many Eurasians were seen as British supporters.

Dispelling the myth of the White Mans SuperiorityWe remembered seeing the British march to Changi Jail. Some of us saw our bosses marching haltingly and asking for water along the way. We felt that the British were just human, with human weaknesses, like us.

- An account by Gay Wan Guay, who witnessed the march of the British to the internment camps. It was a pitiful sight to see the British and Australian soldiers cleaning up the roads. We never thought that a white man would some day be a roadsweeper. So the Japanese Occupation changed our impression of the white mans superiority.

- An account by Soon Kim Seng, a storekeeper at the Japanese Food Control department.How might this have shaped the peoples views of the British?Promoting the Japanese Culture In schools, students had to Sing the Japanese national assembly during morning assemblyLearn the Japanese language in place of English.Take part in activities, such as gardening and cleaning, that promoted Asian values of hard work and humility

Attempts to win local supportThe Japanese troops used movies, books, newspapers and radio broadcasts for propaganda purposes.

Refer to TB pg 31 to see the kind of messages the Japanese wanted to spread.

Propaganda comics. The end of Shingaporu. The birth of Syonan-to.Attempts to win local supportThe Japanese also introduced policies that aimed to win the support of the different communities. For the Malays, the Japanese encouraged them to be involved in the defence as well as the administration of Singapore. The Japanese promised to provide more opportunities in education so as to prepare them for these roles. For the Indians, the Japanese promised to assist them in their movement to gain independence for India from the British. With Japanese support, the Indian National Army was formed to recruit Indians in Singapore to fight against the British in India. How were the Chinese treated?http://xin.msn.com/en-sg/video/catchup/the-journey-tumultuous-times-episode-2/vp-af04f99b-11f9-4825-9f35-42fbaea2fff9 The Kempeitai, the Japanese military police, carried out the Sook Ching or cleansing operation that was aimed at removing anti-Japanese elements. The Sook Ching was targeted at the Chinese.The Japanese was suspicious of the Chinese because the Chinese in Singapore had opposed the Japanese invasion of China and some even volunteered to return to China to fight against the Japanese. All Chinese men aged 18 to 50 had to report to mass screening centres to be examined. Men who were identified as anti-Japanese were taken to Changi Beach and other beaches to be executed. Over 25 000 Chinese were estimated to have been killed in the Sook Ching.

Daily Life in Syonan-toPeople experienced fear during the Japanese Occupation as the Japanese tried to promote loyalty and obedience among the people through the use of force. For example, they forced people to bow to Japanese sentries or face punishment. The Japanese also used food or cash rewards to encourage people to inform the authorities of anyone whom they suspected was involved in anti-Japanese activities. People thus became suspicious of one another as anyone could be accused of being anti-Japanese.

My mother got beaten up very badly because she didnt want to bow to the guard. The Japanese felt that you were bowing to the Emperor if you were bowing to the guard. So if you didnt bow, you were showing great disrespect towards the Emperor, who was also called the Son of Heaven.

- Adapted from an account by Joseph Seah, who was a teenager during the Japanese Occupation. Daily Life in Syonan-toThe people were also living in hardship.The war had disrupted trade, which limited the import of goods into Singapore from overseas. Furthermore, most of the available resources were chanelled to Japans war efforts rather than to the people.As a result, there was a shortage of goods. Rationing was thus introduced to control the sale of essential items.

Daily Life in Syonan-toGoods were also sold at high prices on the black market because of the shortage of goods. Some people were able to obtain more goods by working for the Japanese. They sold these goods to other people at very high prices on the black market.

This situation was worsened by the decreasing value of the new currency introduced by the Japanese. The Japanese government printed more notes whenever they saw a need for money. As a result, the currency became worthless. Daily Life in Syonan-toHowever, people found other ways to survive.Some took on second jobs. Many women also joined the workforce for the first time.People also used substitutes for items they lacked.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKataKQFxQ8 Daily Life in Syonan-toWhile the experience of Japanese Occupation was difficult, it was also a time when some people formed bonds of friendship.

Because we were under enemy occupation, we were all friends. It was during the Japanese Occupation that we had the opportunity to make friends with teachers from the Chinese-, Malay-, and Tamil-medium schools. It was the first time I learnt about other people how they lived, their difficulties, their problems.

- Adapted from an account by Lim Choo Sye, a teacher during the Japanese Occupation. Before the Japanese Occupation, he was a teacher in an English-medium school.

How might this have shaped the peoples views of Singapore as home?Daily Life in Syonan-toSome people also found that they became self-reliant during the Japanese Occupation.

I think the people had a newfound sense of responsibility. Previously, we depended on the colonial government. We just took orders and then carried them out. But during the Japanese Occupation, we felt that we had to do things ourselves.

- Account by Benjamin Chew, a doctor during the Japanese OccupationHow might this have shaped the peoples views of Singapore as home?Resisting the JapaneseEven though the Japanese tried to win the support of the people, many people in Singapore became anti-Japanese. They either joined or supported anti-Japanese movements. The two main anti-Japanese resistance movements in Singapore were Force 136 and the Malayan Peoples Anti-Japanese Army (MPAJA).Force 136MPAJALed byThe British War Cabinet with the help of a prominent businessman, Lim Bo SengLai Teck, a senior communist leader from Vietnam and his right-hand man, Chin Peng, a Malayan Chinese from the state of Perak.Resistance effortsCollecting information about the Japanese and organising attacks whenever possibleOperated mainly in the jungles of Perak and Johor. Launched attacks on Japanese troops, policemen and locals who worked with the Japanese.