We arrived at the war memorial of Bukit Chandu where 1,400 Malay Regiment soldiers stood strong against 13,000 Japanese soldiers in 1942. They are forever remembered as war heroes by choosing death over dishonour and not retreating even in inevitable death. However, Bukit Chandu now, is a memorial for all Singaporeans and tourists to make known the heroics of these brave and dedicated soldiers as well as reflect on the cost of war and the price of peace.
Reading the plaque errected at the entrance, we read that Bukit Chandu was the last line of defence for the British against the Japanese, it was an important ridge that lined the area where both the British Military Hospital and the British ammunition and ordinance depots were located, a positionof utmost importance that could not be given up.
After exploring the area, we went to ask people about info that they knew about bukit Chandu we foudn out that, Bukit Chandu, also known as Opium Hill in malay, is the actual place that the battle really happened,we were astounded and impressed that we were standing at the exact same battle location years ago.
Although it might not have been the first time that we have seen these. We realised that we never really understood the importance and historical value of bukit Chandu. We discovered how much this place meant to us and its true meaning to the history of Singapore. We left feeling honored and respectful to have stood on the same ground where the bravest of men had once lost their lives defending.
References:
http://www.visitsingapore.com/publish/stbportal/en/home/what_to_see/world_war_ii_sites/reflections_at_bukit.html
http://infopedia.nl.sg/articles/SIP_457_2005-01-04.html
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