Our blog is badly done.I think we should improve on our group particpation and the editing of our posts.We also do not have our scripes and our storyboard posted.I think this made us fail the project by jus a few marks.
We are now going to do more posting and we will try to put our storyboard on the blog as soon as possible.We can also improve on our grup particpation by reminding each other to do their own job in the project.
We are also trying very hard now to find more information of our topic as we had visited most of the websites and we had no more ideas of what we can do research on.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Roles on trip to fort siloso
wei xiang is in charge of taking photo of information for people suffering under japanese rule.
wei xiang is in charge of taking video of information of how singapore people were treated.
kaiboon is in charge in editing video and picture.
eulo is to help out in making sound effect for the video.
zhi bing and wong hao help to take note of what the guy were explain of the cannon,how they work and place that were important to singapore when japanese invade.
meng hock is in charge of the presentation.
wei xiang is in charge of taking video of information of how singapore people were treated.
kaiboon is in charge in editing video and picture.
eulo is to help out in making sound effect for the video.
zhi bing and wong hao help to take note of what the guy were explain of the cannon,how they work and place that were important to singapore when japanese invade.
meng hock is in charge of the presentation.
The "Chop" of Life
This must have been the most treasured item during the Japanese Occupation. Without it, you might have to die.
Troops of the Japanese Imperial Army would conduct spot-checks. The people had no way of knowing whether they would be given security clearance. If they were cleared, they would get this rectangular mark.
If it had been a triangular mark, they would be taken away and killed.
Troops of the Japanese Imperial Army would conduct spot-checks. The people had no way of knowing whether they would be given security clearance. If they were cleared, they would get this rectangular mark.
If it had been a triangular mark, they would be taken away and killed.
Some had the mark printed on their clothes. The printed area would then be cut and carried around wherever they went.
Others had their arms or legs marked.
Some people would go for months without bathing for fear that the marks would be washed away.
Others had their arms or legs marked.
Some people would go for months without bathing for fear that the marks would be washed away.
Skyrocketing prices
The scarcity of goods sent prices sky-rocketing. The table below show how different prices were just before - and after the war broke out.
items -------------------------1941($) ------------------1945($)
Rice -
1 picul (about 60.5kg) ----------5- -----------------------5000
Egg - 1 dozen----------------- 0.24----------------------- 120
Quinine powder--------------- 1.50------------------------ 15
Shophouse---------------- 5000-6000------------- 160000-250000
items -------------------------1941($) ------------------1945($)
Rice -
1 picul (about 60.5kg) ----------5- -----------------------5000
Egg - 1 dozen----------------- 0.24----------------------- 120
Quinine powder--------------- 1.50------------------------ 15
Shophouse---------------- 5000-6000------------- 160000-250000
During the War
During the war , ration cards were often the only way to get food. However, the quality of food was not always good. Rice had weevils and stones in them.
One of the most serious problems during the Occupation was food shortage.
The people of Singapore were encouraged to grow their own vegetables.
In addition, the Japanese also issued ration cards to control supplies of rice and other essential items.
You could not get any provisions from shops if you did not have this ration card.
Each adult was given a ration of 4.8kg of rice per month and each child 2.4kg. This amount was subsequently reduced to 3.6kg per month for adults.
Even then, these ran out before long.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
some pictures of sook ching
this pictures are found in google of the japanese occupation in singapore(sook ching). this means that chinese were killed cruely without any reason .Sook Ching massacre
The Sook Ching massacre was a systematic extermination of perceived hostile elements among the chinese in singapore by the japanese military during the japanese occupation of singapore, after the british colony surrendered in the battlefield of sinapore on 15 februay 1942 during world war 2. Sook Ching was later extended to include chinese and malayan. The massacre took place from february 18 to march 4 1942 at various places. The term Sook Ching is a Chinese word meaning "a purge through cleansing". At the time, the japanese also described the massacre as such (it was referred to as the Kakyoshukusei lit, or "purging of Chinese"). The Japanese also referred to it as the Shingapōru Daikensho. "great inspection of Singapore".
Although the term "Sook Ching" appeared as early as 1946, it was not commonly used in the Chinese press or other publications until the 1980s. It is not clear whether it was the Japanese or Chinese who first used Sook Ching/shukusei, which is in both languages.
The current Japanese term for the massacre is Shingapōru Kakyoshuyakusatsujiken lit. " Singapore Chinese massacre".
Although the term "Sook Ching" appeared as early as 1946, it was not commonly used in the Chinese press or other publications until the 1980s. It is not clear whether it was the Japanese or Chinese who first used Sook Ching/shukusei, which is in both languages.
The current Japanese term for the massacre is Shingapōru Kakyoshuyakusatsujiken lit. " Singapore Chinese massacre".
Japanese Occupation : Massacre of Chinese Populace
Having gained control over Singapore on February 15, 1942, General Tomoyuki Yamashita instructed the Japanese garrison commander to round up the anti-Japanese elements.
The plan, issued by the Imperial Headquarters, was to gather all Chinese males between the ages of 18 and 50 at various locations, screen them, and execute those identified as anti-Japanese.
Screening centres were set up all over Singapore. Most of them were situated in areas of large Chinese populous. Among them were Java Road, Arab Street, Telok Kurau English School, St. Joseph's Institution, and Chinatown.
At the Chinatown screening centre, lorries were parked nearby ready to take anti-Japanese suspects to remote locations such as Changi, Punggol and Bedok, where they were all massacred.
The lucky ones were stamped with an "examined" word on their faces, arms, clothing or just pieces of paper. They were free to return home to their families afterwards.
We do not know how many men were executed during the Sook Ching exercise.
When the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Appeal Committee for Singapore Chinese Victims Massacred by Japanese, attempted to investigate by urging people to report deaths of family members and relatives, only 8600 were reported.
Research have shown that there were many more.
Whatever the number is, Sook Ching will, remain a horrific and traumatic experience in the memory of the survivors.
The plan, issued by the Imperial Headquarters, was to gather all Chinese males between the ages of 18 and 50 at various locations, screen them, and execute those identified as anti-Japanese.
Screening centres were set up all over Singapore. Most of them were situated in areas of large Chinese populous. Among them were Java Road, Arab Street, Telok Kurau English School, St. Joseph's Institution, and Chinatown.
At the Chinatown screening centre, lorries were parked nearby ready to take anti-Japanese suspects to remote locations such as Changi, Punggol and Bedok, where they were all massacred.
The lucky ones were stamped with an "examined" word on their faces, arms, clothing or just pieces of paper. They were free to return home to their families afterwards.
We do not know how many men were executed during the Sook Ching exercise.
When the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Appeal Committee for Singapore Chinese Victims Massacred by Japanese, attempted to investigate by urging people to report deaths of family members and relatives, only 8600 were reported.
Research have shown that there were many more.
Whatever the number is, Sook Ching will, remain a horrific and traumatic experience in the memory of the survivors.
Defence of Malaya
Defence of Malaya
"British Defence Plans"
The "Main Fleet to Singapore" StrategyFrom the 1920s, Japan had begun to emerge as a serious threat to British outposts in the Far East. With drastic cuts in her defence budget after World War I, the British could no longer maintain a strong permanent naval presence in the area. Britain therefore decided to implement the "Main fleet to Singapore" strategy, to defend not only Singapore, but the rest of her empire in the Far East, and Australasia.Singapore's strategic location as the western gateway to the Far East prompted Britain's 'Overseas Defence Committee' to choose her, in 1921, as the site for a naval base. The Main Fleet would be based in Europe. It would sail to Singapore to protect Britain's Far East interests and possessions should they be threatened.The success of this strategy hinged on the swift dispatch of the Main Fleet, and on keeping Singapore secure until it arrived.To the British Overseas Defence Committee, it seemed clear that an attack could come from the sea and, or from Johore. They therefore devised a strategy that took these alternatives into account.By 1939, the main defences of Singapore consisted of a series of Guns Batteries. Contrary to popular belief, the guns were made to fire both landward and seaward.Certain that the Japanese would first attack from the sea, the British defence planners were confident that the Main Fleet and reinforcements would arrive in Singapore well before any landward attack.
Defence of Malaya
"Japanese Assault Plans"
Japanese StrategyMany years prior to their attack on Malaya in December 1941, the Japanese had studied the Malayan terrain and worked out their strategy, the troops and equipment needed to mount the campaign. Their immediate objective - the Capture of Singapore.Lieutenant-General Tomoyuki Yamashita, Commander-in-Chief of the 25th Japanese Army, had studied the science and technology of modern warfare. Before taking command, he had spent 6 months in Germany exchanging ideas with Adolf Hitler's military experts.The highly trained and battle hardened 25th Army led by the Imperial Guard Division, and elite troops of the 5th Division, were assigned to carry out the lightning offensive down the Malay Peninsula and capture Singapore, before the British could dispatch its reinforcements.
Monday, April 7, 2008
links on some pictures of japanese occupation
LINKS on Japanese occupation of Singapore
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
picture of the battleground / camp
A general view of the space between the four compounds of the Cowra prisoner of war camp. “B” and “C” compounds are on the left while “A” and “D” compounds are on the right.picture of the battleground / camp
Looking west showing compounds of the Cowra prisoner of war camp with the group headquarters buildings in the foreground.Object through time
Australia declared war on Germany on 3rd September 1939 the same day Britain did. Australian was now an independent member of the British Commonwealth of Nations. It did not have to join the war to support Britain. But most Australians believed that if Britain was in trouble it was Australia's duty to help. In Italy Mussolini had become dictator in 1922. Like Hitler, he set up a one party government. Italy was ruled by the Fascist party. Mussolini wanted to strengthen Italy's power and to take over more land to make Italy a powerful nation. Italy's armies invaded North Africa 1941 to establish a Fascist presence and interrupt allied shipping and transport links in North Africa. Australian troops helped defeat the Italians in North Africa. They drove the Italians from Bardia, Tobruk and Benghazi. Thousands of Italian prisoners of war (POW) were captured in the process. Many of these men were sent to Australia as POWs and were interred at Cowra POW camp. A large army training camp was established just outside Cowra in 1940 which trained some 70 000 personnel throughout World War II. The following year, a prisoner of war camp was built at the north-eastern outskirts of town. On 5 August, 1944, this camp became the site of one of the largest mass POW escapes in Australian and British military history The POW camp was huge, covering an area of over thirty hectares. It was circular in shape and divided into four separate compounds by two, seven-hundred-metre long thoroughfares, known respectively as 'No Man's Land' (which ran approximately east-west) and 'Broadway'. Broadway, so called because of its bright lights at night, was used as an access road, as it ran in a north-south direction.
Approximately half the prisoners in the camp were Italians, who occupied A and C compounds, while D compound housed Japanese officers, Korean and Formosan prisoners. B compound contained Japanese non-commissioned officers and junior ranks. It was from within the confines of this compound that the escape erupted.
The Italians had fought bravely during the war, but finally had been forced to surrender. Like the soldiers of most armies they saw no lasting disgrace in their surrender, but accepted it as a necessary part of the fortunes of war. They were aware of their rights under the Geneva Convention, and were content to see out the war as prisoners on foreign soil.
The Japanese, however, found the act of surrendering a deeply humiliating experience. Many adopted false names when they were captured so that their brothers-in-arms and families would presume them dead. The Australian guards were aware of the deep-seated unhappiness of the Japanese in B compound, but held no fears of an escape. The Japanese were surly and uncooperative.
The many Italian POWs were, for the most part, cheerful and cooperative and worked agreeably outside the camp and where dispatched to work on farms throughout NSW.
Pasquale Dogao was an Italian POW who had been captured in Libya and shipped to Australia in 1941. He was interned at Hay and Cowra POW. Camps. In 1943 he was assigned to work on farm in the Warrumbungle Range. On weekends at nearby Coonabarabran he and other prisoners frequently enjoyed the hospitality of their fellow compatriots, the Lighezzolo family, who had settled in the area.
The POW Identity Card has historic value as evidence of the events that surround the internment of POWs in Australia in World War II and the experience of the Italian POWs life at Cowra camp, the attitudes of the Italian POWS to the war and internment and their relationships to other POW communities in NSW. The Italian agriculture and farming around the camp are evidence of a cultural tradition that was transported with the Italians. The Italian POWS had little interest in participating in the war and were happy to work on farms of the Italian migrant families in the area that surrounded the Cowra camp.
The POW Identity Card provides a research tool for historians to explore the Second World War chapter of Australian history and give the story a wider meaning in the context of the history of migration and settlement in Australia. The material culture of the Cowra POW camp reveals the diverse skills and backgrounds of the people interned there, including their educational and cultural background. Members of the Cowra POW community included Italians, Japanese and Koreans.
The POW Identity Card has social value providing a reminder of the fears felt by the Australian, Italian and Japanese communities of war, the loss of loved ones and the insecurity of war time. POWs and guard's families have a common link to the place and many local residents have developed a strong attachment to it. Many local residents are collectors and amateur historians carrying out many years of research and documenting the history of the site and the collection. A lot of information still resides in the memories of the Cowra community. The place is a focal point for both Australians of Italian descent and visiting Italian and Japanese nationals.
The POW Identity Card is well provenanced to Pasquale Dogao and the Mitchell Library of NSW collection. It was donated to the Mitchell Library by Pasquale Dogao in 1991.
The POW Identity Card is rare in a NSW public collection and that it relates specifically to the POW occupation of the site and it is associated with those particular groups who emerge as significant participants at the Cowra POW Camp and World War II NSW POW camp history.
The POW Identity Card represents the culture and traditions of the Italian POWs including, the control of labour, internment by ethnicity and experiences and treatment of POWs including finger printing. It is part of a larger collection represents the German. Italian and Japanese experience in Australia during World War II and Australia's strong historic links to Britain and the adherence to British foreign policy after Federation. The object represents Australia's fear of subversion during the war and racial antagonism to cultural minorities in wartime. The object represents a time when Australia was moving away from Britain for foreign policy and becoming more confident of its place in the region but still held deep suspicions of non - British immigrants.
The POW Identity Card is in good condition with the pages presenting slight foxing.
The POW Identity Card's importance lies in its potential to interpret the place as a site associated to POWs and internment, the internment camp itself, the Japanese experience and the contrasting experience of Italian communities, where the Japanese were closely controlled with in the camp, whereas Italians were allowed to lodge with local farmers as labourers.. The object presents the opportunity to interpret the stories of various individuals who were interned at Cowra POW camp and those who were repatriated after the War only to return as migrants and become successful members of the Australian community despite their experiences.
Coded from : http://www.migrationheritage.nsw.gov.au/exhibitions/objectsthroughtime/objects/powcard/
Prisoner of war identity card
Object Name :
Prisoner of War Identity Card
Object/Collection :
DescriptionPrisoner of War Identity Card issued by the Commonwealth of Australia - Department of the Army - No. 12 (a) Cowra, 29 Aug. 1943, including photographs, fingerprints and signatures, with 12 photographs of Dogao's period as a prisoner of war, mainly in N.S.W. Dimensions: 200mm long x 350mm wide. Good condition
Reassessing the Japanese Prisoner of War Experience: The Changi Pow Camp, Singapore, 1942-1945
This book is about " A detailed study of the life and experience of Allied prisoners of war in the camp or jail at Singapore's Changi prison between 1942 and 1945. The structure of the administration, daily life and relations with the Japanese authorities is detailed using memoirs, photographs and official documents. Some reference is also made to the experiences of prisoners of war in Europe. The author shows how many common stereotypes about Changi are not borne out by the facts and also shows us that conditions were very different from those at many other prisons and labour camps . "
A summary of " Reassessing the Japanese Prisoner of War Experience: The Changi POW Camp, Singapore, 1942–1945 "
This summary is from a book that explores the history of the Changi Prisoner of War camp at Singapore between the surrender in 1942 and the eventual liberation by British forces in September 1945 . " Changi was the largest camp maintained by the Japanese, and it was from here that most POWs began their journeys to that notorious example of mistreatment of POWs, the Burma-Thailand railway. Although Changi has generally been considered in similar terms as the railway, a site of brutality and Japanese indifference to their captors, this book demonstrates that life at the former British base was very different . For the thousands of British, Australian, Indian and Malay troops captured at Singapore in February 1942, captivity meant three long years of disease, neglect and starvation. Yet the POWs at Changi responded to captivity with courage and imagination, and through ingenuity and tremendous resilience created a vibrant prison camp community. In this history, the author discusses the forms of POW resistance to the Japanese, and examines the ways in which they improved their material position at the camp . "
singapore war experiences
Our group is doing video on this project .
Group members tasks :
wei xiang ( leader )
kai boon ( researcher )
Meng hock ( researcher )
Eulo ( writer )
Zhi Bing ( encourager )
Wang Hao ( Questioner )
Group members tasks :
wei xiang ( leader )
kai boon ( researcher )
Meng hock ( researcher )
Eulo ( writer )
Zhi Bing ( encourager )
Wang Hao ( Questioner )
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Monday, February 18, 2008
kai-xiang-h-manalo
Group names :
Kai Bo0n (23)
Wei Xiang (37)
Meng Hock (27)
Eulo Manalo (26)
ZhiBing (22)
Wang Hao ( Na)
Kai Bo0n (23)
Wei Xiang (37)
Meng Hock (27)
Eulo Manalo (26)
ZhiBing (22)
Wang Hao ( Na)
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