By Kaitlyn Ee Shen En, P5, Methodist Girls’ School
After the fall of Singapore, many Singaporeans and Allied troops went through incredible hardship and torture. I was horrified to learn of the thousands who perished as prisoners of war.
The fall of Singapore is especially significant to me as it nearly changed my family’s ancestry. One of the people who narrowly escaped was my great-grandfather. Apparently, the Japanese thought that people who wore spectacles were smart and potentially dangerous to them, so they set out to kill all men wearing spectacles. As my great-grandfather wore spectacles, he was rounded up to be executed. When the Japanese asked who wished to be killed first, he volunteered himself. Miraculously, the Japanese officer who was in charge, told him, “I like brave people, so I won’t kill you today. You can go.”
I am immensely thankful that the Japanese officer released him. If not for that fateful turn of events, my grandparents and subsequent family generations including myself, would not be around today!
For the benefit of all mankind, I truly hope that our current and future world leaders will resolve their issues peacefully instead of turning to war. That way, less innocent lives will be lost.
By Gabrielle Quek, P4, Methodist Girls’ School
After reading the story about the fall of Singapore many times, I would still have the same feeling, anger. I would be so angry that I could feel my blood boil when I found out that the Japanese wanted to conquer more land so they started war. I have no idea why they were so aggressive.
Although the war happened many decades ago, I could not forgive most of the Japanese as they killed my great-grandfather. According to my mother, he went out and never came back. Most people thought he was caught in the “Operation Sook Ching” and was suspected of being anti-Japanese so he was executed.
Even though the Japanese were generally cruel at that time, some were kind. One of them was Shinozaki Mamoru. He helped many Chinese from Singapore survive the war although he was jailed by the British just before the war. He was different from other Japanese.
Singapore is now very peaceful. However, we cannot guarantee that war will not come again. Therefore, all of us, regardless of gender, must do our part to help protect Singapore.
By Ang Jia Hui Dawn, P5, Methodist Girls’ School
Whenever I think of Singapore’s fall, one word comes to my mind – opportunities. Opportunities to grow, learn and change. My grandmother has told me many painful stories about the war. From the endless aeroplane drones to the lack of good food; everyone endured these. Whenever I hear these stories, I am fascinated but scared, and all the questions whirl in my mind. Will war ever return to Singapore? Will we face the same torturing experience our pioneers did? Will I lose my family and friends? No one is sure, but everyone can do their part to keep Singapore safe.
In my opinion, the fall of Singapore was just one of the difficult problems we faced in the past. I am sure that if Singapore ever gets attacked again, we will stand together and protect our nation, fighting with all our might.
Every 15th February, sirens sound to mark Total Defence Day, reminding us of how we fell to the hands of the Japanese, 1942. Indira Gandhi said, “Forgiveness is a virtue of the brave.” Today, Singapore is safe, but we cannot take peace for granted.