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Tue 03 Feb 2009

Sat 14 Feb 2009: The Battle of Pasir Panjang Commemorative Walk

Category : heritage

The Battle of Pasir Panjang Commemorative Walk
Sat 14 Feb 2009: 7am - 12pm
With the Pasir Panjang Guides
of the Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research,
Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, NUS

It is 13th February 1942, the Japanese troops that stormed through Malaya have invaded Singapore. Approaching Singapore City from the west, a 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 the confusion from the aerial bombardement, burning fuel, loss of communications and the early deaths of senior officers. The soldiers of the Malay Regiment battle on for nearly two days and a company is brutally wiped almost to the last man by the numerically superior Japanese. Shortly after this, on the 15th of February, 1942, General Percival marches down Bukit Timah Road, eventually surrendering to the Japanese. The university is built on this old battle ground and still contains a WWII military outpost that strategically oversaw Jurong, Bukit Timah and Singapore City. In 1954, the ridge was renamed 'Kent Ridge,' and the old stone marker commemorating the renaming can still be seen today.

The battle accounts left a strong impression on the Pasir Panjang Guides, and so we commemorate the Malay Regiment's defense of the ridge every year. We will share with you stories about the Battle of Pasir Panjang, the geography, history and the flora and fauna that first drew us to explore the ridge decades ago.

Registration

• All are welcome.
• You should be able to wake up early enough to reach the University Cultural Centre at 7am! [Map: http://tinyurl.com/map-nusucc]
• You also have to be physically fit enough to walk 3km at a moderately quick pace and climb stairs.
• We will end at the World War II Interpretative Centre at the Reflections at Bukit Chandu (RBC) via Kent Ridge Road, The Gap and Kent Ridge Park.
• This could take at least five hours and get quite hot so bring 1 litre of water, an umbrella and some snadwiches or snacks.
• To register, please fill in the form at: http://tinyurl.com/pp-14feb2009

More information: to learn more, visit the Pasir Panjang/Kent Ridge Heritage webpage and see photos from last year.

In 2009, the Raffles Museum Toddycats celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore.

Posted at 11:39AM SGT by N. Sivasothi | permalink | , .