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Tue 07 Feb 2006

Sun 12 Feb 2006: 7am - 11am: Battle of Pasir Panjang Commemorative Walk

Category : heritage

Battle of Pasir Panjang Commemorative Walk
Sun 12 Feb 2006: 7am - 11am.
With the Pasir Panjang Guides.
Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research, NUS
& the Reflections of Bukit Chandu, NAS, NHB.
Limited to 44 places.

13th February 1942 - Japanese troops storming through Malaya have invaded Singapore and are close to capturing the city. Approaching from the west, the seasoned Japanese army is forced to engage the small force of the Malay Regiment on the high ground of Pasir Panjang Ridge.

A fierce battle ensues amidst much confusion from the aerial bombardement, burning fuel, loss of communications and the early deaths of senior commanding officers.

The soldiers of the Malay Regiment battle on for nearly two days but are ultimately wiped out by the numerically superior Japanese.

The British surrender the following day, 15th February 1942.

A decade later, the British rename the ridge 'Kent Ridge'. Synonymous with the National University of Singapore, the name belies a secret past. Nestled behind the laboratories and lecture theatres of NUS are former military outposts that oversee the Jurong River, Bukit Timah and Singapore City - testament to the strategic importance of the ridge.

The battle accounts left a strong impression on us, and so every year we commemorate the Malay Regiment's defense of the ridge and share with visitors the stories about the Battle of Pasir Panjang as well as the geography, flora and fauna that first brought us to this ridge.

All are welcome.
Interested individuals should be physically fit enough to walk 3km at a moderately quick pace. We will reach the Reflections at Bukit Chandu (RBC), the World War II Interpretative Centre via Kent Ridge Road, The Gap and Kent Ridge Park.

To register, please do the following:

1. Send an email to Toddycat Quek Kiah Shen at: pasirpanjang@rafflesmuseum.net
2. Please include your full name,
3. your handphone number,
4. and the number of friends accompanying you.

You will receive a reply. Registered participants will meet the Raffles Museum Pasir Panjang Guides at the University Cultural Centre at 7am. Visit the Pasir Panjang/Kent Ridge Heritage Webpage for more information about the ridge.

Join us as a guide!
Our 2006 workshop will be conducted in May/June 2006. If you are interested to join us as a guide, join us for the commemorative walk and sign up with us then. Details of training dates are available at the guide webpage.

Posted at 10:24AM UTC by N. Sivasothi | permalink | email |