2. AT A GLANCE
 The fall of Singapore
 Life during the Japanese occupation
 Immediate post-war problem

3. WHAT WERE THE EFFORTS MADE BY THE
BRITISH TO DEFEND SINGAPORE?
 Britain decided on the ‘main fleet to Singapore’s strategy
 Installation of 15-inch guns facing the sea
 Building of military airfields in Sembawang and Tengah
 Underground bunkers were in several places like Fort
Canning, Labrador and Sembawang
 Building of Naval Base in Sembawang

4. WHY DID THE BRITISH FAIL TO STOP THE
JAPANESE?
 Good Japanese preparation
 Japanese superiority in battle strategy armed forces and
leadership
 British priority to war in Europe

5. HOW DID THE PEOPLE OF SINGAPORE REACT
TO THE JAPANESE ATTACK
The people did not believe that Singapore would
fall

6. HOW DID THE JAPANESE OCCUPATION
CHANGED THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IN SINGAPORE
 Singapore was renamed as ‘Syonan-to’
 British and other Europeans taken as POWs
 Most lived in fear of the Kempeitai and its harsh
punishment
 Operation Sook Ching attempted to wipe out Chinese
opposition to the Japanese
 Serious shortage of food and poor health conditions

7. DID LIFE RETURN TO NORMAL AFTER THE
JAPANESE OCCUPATION
 The British military administration established for post
war reconstruction
 Shortage of food, water and electricity
 Overcrowding and unhygienic housing conditions