Chapter 6: How did World War 2 affect Singapore?

Overview

• What were the efforts made by the British to defend Singapore?• Why did the British fail to stop the Japanese?• How did the people of Singapore react to the

Japanese attack?• How did the Japanese Occupation change the

lives of people in Singapore?• Did life return to normal after the end of the

Japanese Occupation?

The Fall of Singapore• The dense jungles of Malaya were thought to be a Natural

Barrier against invasion.

• Why was Singapore seen as the Impregnable Fortress?

• What is Impregnable?

• Use your handphone to check the meaning online. Only 1 handphone per group.

Why was Singapore known as the 'Impregnable' fortress?

• Singapore was protected by 20+ big cannons. Some can shoot as far as 42km! • It was also protected by the 2 battle cruisers

which were thought to be unbeatable as the HMS Prince of Wales had the latest air-tracking systems present at that time.

Why was Singapore known as the 'Impregnable' fortress?

• The British thought that the seas were controlled as both the guns and the ships were protecting the sea from invasion. • The British also had 137,000 soldiers, from

Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Netherlands, Nepal, India, Malaya and even some from Singapore.• Their 130+ Brewster Buffalos which were very

slow planes were thought to control the skies.

Page 98-99 of the textbook.

Background of the war

• Japanese Invasion of China- 1937 (Page 100)

• To protest against Japan’s attack on China, the United States of America (USA) cut off their Oil Supplies to Japan.• Why?• Japan then turned towards Southeast Asia which was

rich in oil and natural resources.• Examples of some raw materials?

• Britain sends reinforcements to Singapore but was still focused on the war in Europe

War in Europe- September 1939 (pg 100-101)• Japan signed a treaty of Friendship with Germany and

Italy [Central/Axis powers]• On 7th Dec 1941, the Japanese carried an attack on Pearl

Harbour.• The Prince of Wales and the Repulse were sunk on 10th

Dec 1941.• However, the British were unable to send more naval or

air Reinforcements because of their involvement in Europe.

• Is the Great Colony of Britain being stretched?

Why did the British fail to stop the Japanese?

SIA PLANES

Japanese Soldiers

Japanese Intelligence

Japanese Imperial Army

Japanese Zero Fighter Planes

Video• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1u-GdEyfvQ

• What were the means that the Japanese used to attack Singapore?

• What was the mode of transport that the Japanese employed?

Japanese Intelligence• The Japanese set up Intelligence Services in Malaya

and Singapore. This provided them with information on British Defence and readiness.

• Read the bottom paragraph of page 101 for 5 minutes

Japanese Soldiers (pg 102)• Better trained in Jungle Warfare.

• Besides using tanks, they were also able to use Bicycles to move swiftly down the jungles of Malaya.

Japanese Imperial Army• Had a large modern Airforce and Naval fleet.• “Would die for the country” fighting spirit and Kamikazes.

Japanese Zero Fighter Planes• Destroyed half of the Old and Outdated British planes.

Mind Map Activity

Do a graphic organizer that shows The Weakness of the British Army

Weakness of the British Army

Weakness of British Army

• The British thought Tanks were unsuitable for Jungle warfare.

• They were no match against the Well-Trained Japanese Soldiers.

The Fall of Singapore: 15th February 1942• The British had a final conference at the Fort Canning Bunker.• Lieutenant-General Percival wanted to avoid bloodshed.• Supplies of food and water were also running out.• The British Opted for Surrender.