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Trip to Labrador Park and Bukit Chandu
Year 2006, 16 May, 8.00 in the morning, we embarked on a field trip to
one of Singapore's history sites of the Terrible World War Two, when
the cunning Japanese as invaded Singapore during their terrible and
gory conquest for South East Asia, -- Labrador Park.
Upon Arrival, we were given a short briefing by our teacher and
explored the park shortly after the briefing. Built on low hills
surrounding Singapore coast before the invasion of the Japanese by the
Japanese, the 37-ton guns were located at strategic position across the
coast of Singapore facing the sea. Predicting that Singapore would only
be attacked from the sea, the British built the guns across the island.
They were armed with hull-piercing ammo with which could sink ships
from 18 km away. However they proved to be ineffective when the
Japanese attacked by land using tanks, a tactic not foreseen by the
British who thought that tanks were not suitable for jungle warfare.
Though the guns were able to turn 360 degrees, but they were stopped
due to the concrete behind them that restricted their movements,
rendering them useless against the expert air troops and the land
troops of the Japanese. Left with no choice, the British had no choice
but to destroy the guns themselves, so as to prevent the Japanese from
taking them.
Most of the guns were destroyed during that time and few remain and
escaped the destruction of the guns. However, one gun is now placed in
Labrador Park. This site proved to be very interesting as it allows the
visitors to view the interior of the gun barrel, which had contained
spirals in them to allow the 42 kilograms ammo to pierce ships more
deeply upon impact. The ammo was stored in a small "hole" in the
wall to allow easy access and more space for the soldiers when the guns
are fired. Personally, I feel that the British should not have built a
concrete wall around the guns but should had dug trenches, with low
bullet-proof shelters, surrounding it. This way, it not have restricted
the guns movements and could still prevent the Japanese from taking
over the guns and would have prevented the Japanese from conquering
Singapore.
Later we visited Bukit Chandu, another historical site of Singapore.
Being a Malay-protected location during the Japanese Occupation, the
Malays fought valiantly to protect beloved village. Stubborn to
surrender to the Japanese soldiers, they protected with a united will
to protect Bukit Chandu. Armed with only knifes, rifles and other tools
used for removing jungles, them stubbornly held on to their position.
They managed to eliminate some Japanese troops, but were eventually
defeated when the Japanese charged up the hill with full force, furious
at their stubbornness. Few escaped to live to tell the tale. The strong
wills of the Malays were much to be admired by future generations and
respected for their unwavering loyalty and passion for Singapore.
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