Battle For Singapore 2024 | National Heritage Board Commemorates The 82nd Anniversary Of The Fall Of Singapore With Special Access Programmes, Tour Runs And More!

This year’s line-up features special access programmes including guided tours, theatrical experiences, talks, film screenings and exhibitions. 

Date: 17 Feb to 3 Mar 2024

Battle for Singapore 2024

Photo Credit: National Heritage Board

The National Heritage Board (NHB)’s annual Battle for Singapore invites participants to explore the sites and stories of Singapore’s war-time past. In commemoration of the 82nd anniversary of the Fall of Singapore, this year’s line-up features special access programmes including guided tours, theatrical experiences, talks, film screenings and exhibitions. Sites featured include one which witnessed some of the first landings of the invading Japanese forces, and the bunker where the decision to surrender to the Japanese was made.

Overall, this year’s entire programme line-up will feature more than 25 programmes and over 70 tour runs covering various formats and collaborations, including those offered by MR members, academics, heritage enthusiasts and interest groups. Here's taking a closer look at what you can look forward to at this year's Battle for Singapore:

New Programmes

Cashin House: Witness to Invasion

Photo Credit: NParks

Date: 24 Feb & 2 Mar 2024
Time: 9am to 10.30am; 10.30am to 12pm; 12.30pm to 2pm

Join heritage veteran Mr Jerome Lim on a trip to the sensitively reconstructed Cashin House. Located at Lim Chu Kang Nature Park, the site witnessed some of the first landings of the invading Japanese forces. Learn about the perspectives of men on the opposing sides as they engaged in battle, and about the area’s historical landscape.

This programme is presented in collaboration with NParks and Mr Jerome Lim.

Note: Admission is free but registration is required.

Cycling Buona Vista

Photo Credit: National Heritage Board

Date: 17 Feb, 24 Feb & 2 Mar 2024
Time: 8.30am to 11am | 9.30am to 12pm

Explore the Buona Vista defence line on bicycle and learn more about the final days of the Battle of Singapore in this part of Singapore. Cycle past landmarks familiar and new, led by our volunteer guides - Dr John Kwok or Mr Lee Kok Leong - and appreciate the strategies employed by both the invading Japanese forces and defending Allied forces in the southwestern region of Singapore.

This programme is led by volunteer guides Dr John Kwok and Mr Lee Kok Leong.

Note: The 2 March 2024, 8.30am to 11am tour will be conducted in Mandarin language. A charge of $35 applies for this tour.

NO QUESTION OF SURRENDER: Three Days Before the Fall

Photo Credit: Global Cultural Alliance

Date & Time:

• 23 Feb 2024 & 1 Mar 2024: 6.30pm & 9pm (110 mins)
• 24 & 25 Feb 2024, 2 & 3 Mar 2024: 6pm & 8.30pm (110 mins)

It is 12 February 1942 and the invaders have already reached Bukit Timah.

Enter the Battle Box as a member of the Straits Settlements Volunteer Corps, suddenly assigned to this bunker as the battle for Singapore draws near the city. As you receive your introduction to the inner workings of the secretive Fortress Command, let the staff - colonial and local - reveal how the war is really going. Discover the astounding mis-steps that charted our fall, and the brutal lessons that mapped out our future.

Whose war was it? Whose land is it?

NO QUESTION OF SURRENDER: Three Days Before the Fall transports audiences to the final days before the fall of Singapore in February 1942 in a new 110-minute immersive theatrical experience written and directed by Jonathan Lim.

Feel the pulse of World War II as you immerse yourself in the sights, sounds and smells of the Battlebox. NO QUESTION OF SURRENDER challenges a traditional theatrical experience by offering a unique opportunity to live and breathe the past.

Written and Directed by Jonathan Lim
Starring Alfred Loh, Izzul Irfan, Al-Matin Yatim & Justin Lee
Produced by Global Cultural Alliance in collaboration with the Battlebox

Note: A charge of $48 applies to this programme, with concessionary prices available.

Makan with Seniors: World War II edition

Photo Credit: National Museum of Singapore

Date: 24 Feb 2024
Time: 12pm to 3pm

Makan with Seniors celebrates seniors' stories, breaks down stereotypes and creates friendships over food. This special edition, organised for Battle for Singapore 2024, will focus on second-generation war memories and the legacy of WWII in Singapore. Participants will be paired up or grouped together to converse while having a meal together.

This programme is presented by the National Museum of Singapore, in partnership with Ms Eleanor Yap, the founder of Ageless Online.

Note: Admission is free but registration is required.

Hotel Aporia: Artist Tour and Conversation with Ho Tzu Nyen and Dr Ma Jung-Yeon

Photo Credit: Singapore Art Museum

Date: 3 Mar 2024
Time: 3pm to 4.30pm

Why did the Japanese call it “The Pacific War” while in Singapore we call it “World War II”?

First presented at the Kirakutei Inn in Toyota City, artist Ho Tzu Nyen's Hotel Aporia confronts the complex ideological and historical backdrops that plagued the 1940s. Through characters that include WWII Kamikaze pilots, Kyoto School philosophers and filmmakers Yasujiro Ozu and Ryuichi Yokoyama, experience the conflicting contexts, diverging narratives and new insights gathered within Hotel Aporia, which reveals different perspectives about the past.

In this session, get firsthand accounts from the artist on the installation and development of the work, and the research that went into its production. Thereafter, Ho Tzu Nyen will be joined by Dr Ma Jung-Yeon in conversation to delve deeper into the role of art in unpacking complex histories.

This programme is presented by Singapore Art Museum.

Note: Admission is free but registration is required.

Twinned Tours: Singapore Navy Museum and Changi Chapel and Museum

Photo Credit: Singapore Navy Museum

Date: 17 & 18 Feb 2024
Time: 2pm to 5pm

Visit two museums in one special tour! Start your journey at the Singapore Navy Museum and learn about how a band of volunteers stepped up to defend Singapore at sea during the Malayan Campaign in 1942. Discover how they laid the foundation for today’s modern and capable Navy. Continue your experience at the Changi Chapel & Museum, where you will hear stories about prisoners of war in Singapore, including local volunteers, and their courage and resilience during World War Two.

The programme is co-presented by Changi Chapel and Museum and Singapore Navy Museum.

Note: A charge of $21.80 applies for this tour.

Gallant (Film Screening)

Date: 24 Feb 2024
Time: 3pm to 3.30pm

Experience a time of war and anguish through a short film that recounts a scene of the Japanese invasion of Singapore back in 1942, where love and family bond triumphed over fear and turned cowardice into heroism, amid terror and panic.

This programme is presented by Singapore Discovery Centre.

Note: Admission is free, no registration required.

Second World War Vintage Toys Guided Tour and Fighter Plane Making

Photo Credit: MINT Museum of Toys

Date: 17 Feb to 3 Mar 2024
Time:

• Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat & Sun: 10.30am to 11.30am; 11.30am to 12.30pm; 2.30pm to 3.30pm; 4.30pm to 5.30pm
• Programme not available on Wed & the Museum is closed on Mon

Ever wondered about the warplanes or ships that battled during the Second World War?

This programme examines how toys were used to normalise war, encourage war efforts and celebrate war achievements across Allied Forces (Britain, France, USSR & USA) and the Axis Powers (Germany, Italy & Japan).

The museum’s Second World War collection features figurines of iconic war heroes, collectables of Sikh soldiers who fought bravely during the Battle of Singapore in 1942, propaganda toys as well as a focus on fighter planes and battleship toy models that have left a legacy until today.

Visitors will also learn about and assemble their own WW2 Flying Glider Plane, a nostalgic toy produced and widely played in the 1950s, designed to represent iconic fighter planes such as the Spitfire and Mitsubishi Zero - both of which also have original toy models displayed in the museum.

This programme is presented by MINT Museum of Toys.

Note: A charge of $35 for adults, and $25 for children and seniors apply for this tour.

Peacetime Kitchen: Talk and Cooking Demonstration

Photo Credit: National Museum of Singapore

Date: 25 Feb 2024
Time: 2pm to 4pm

Taste and learn about the creativity and ingenuity of wartime cooks from their recipes, with dishes such as banana marmalade and coconut biscuits brought to new life for contemporary kitchens.

Award-winning food writer, culinary instructor and photographer, Mr Christopher Tan, will share tales and tid-bits in this talk and live demonstration of heritage dishes from popular cookbooks and personal notebooks written and used during WWII.

This programme is presented by National Museum of Singapore.

Note: A charge of $21.80 applies for this programme.

We Shall Remember: The Story of Singapore at War - Children's Tour

Photo Credit: Global Cultural Alliance

Date: 2 Mar 2024
Time: 12.30pm to 2pm

Join us on an exciting afternoon’s discovery at the Battlebox through a curator's tour and author talk, specially designed for curious participants aged 9-14 years old! Uncover bite-sized secrets and stories of the Battlebox with curator and historian Tan Teng Teng.

After the tour, participants can enjoy an author’s talk and conversation with Sim Ee Waun - the author of We Shall Remember: The Story of Singapore at War, and be regaled with little-known stories about the war in Singapore, and learn about the intricacies, conundrums and surprises that came with writing the book.

This programme is presented by Battlebox.

Note: A charge of $15 applies for this programme.

Peace Blossoms Display at Fort Siloso

Photo Credit: Sentosa Development Corporation

Date: 15 to 19 Feb 2024
Time: 9am to 6pm

Fort Siloso, Singapore’s best-preserved 19th century fort, was officially gazetted on Total Defence Day (15 February 2022) as a National Monument, and is home to the remains of fortified military structures, guns and tunnels that were used during World War II. As we commemorate the Battle of Singapore from 15 to 19 February 2024, we remember the crucial role that Fort Siloso had played in defending Singapore. The muzzles of eight guns at Fort Siloso will be decorated with flowers in a symbolic gesture of peace, called the Sentosa Peace Blossoms. Flowers of peace, such as Peace Lily, Gerbera, Eustoma, Lavender and Chrysanthemum, will be arranged into beautiful floral bouquets to “silence the guns” as our message for peace.

Note: Admission is free and no pre-registration is required for visiting this display.

Outdoor Guided Tours & Programmes

Battle of Bukit Brown and Mount Pleasant

Photo Credit: National Heritage Board

Date: 3 Mar 2024
Time: 8.30am to 12pm

The tour follows the course of the battles on 14-15 February 1942 as the Japanese 5th Division attempted to capture the MacRitchie Reservoir area and attack south through Bukit Brown and Mount Pleasant, which were defended by the British 18th Division.

Note: Admission is free but registration is required.

Botanic Gardens to Bukit Brown

Photo Credit: National Heritage Board

Date: 2 Mar 2024
Time: 8.30am to 12pm

Participants will be taken on a walk through the heritage corridor from the Botanic Gardens to Bukit Brown cemetery. During the tour, the guides will share stories of WWII heroes and prominent personalities at heritage landmarks, including the Jacob Ballas Garden and old Raffles College. Participants will pass by the Former Command House along the route and end in Bukit Brown to learn about the battle that took place there with the British and Indian soldiers at the former kampung (village).

Note: Admission is free but registration is required.

Bukit Brown (Hills 3 and 2)

Photo Credit: National Heritage Board

Date: 17 Feb 2024
Time: 9am to 11.30am

Bukit Brown is, by accident of history, the largest repository in Singapore of WWII stories outside of a museum. It is the final home to tragic patriots like Tan Ean Kiam, valiant fighters for justice like Tay Koh Yiat and many countless victims like Soh Koon Eng. It is a story book that never stops regaling. Let Fabian Tee take you back to a time when fate collided and all lives in Singapore were turned upside down.

Note: Admission is free but registration is required.

Bukit Brown (Hills 3 and 4)

Photo Credit: National Heritage Board

Date: 24 Feb 2024
Time: 9am to 11.30am

Join Peter Pak of All Things Bukit Brown as he takes you on an exploration of Bukit Brown and hear stories of tragedy (the sinking of a ship that led to the deaths of many women and children) and of betrayal (leading to the death of the King’s Medal recipient whose ashes were only returned 11 years later and given a hero’s burial). Peter will also reveal the stories of an ambush by the resistance forces that led to the death of a pioneer whose burial was touted by the Japanese Military Administration as Syonan-to’s first public funeral, and of another survivor of that very same ambush whose life was transformed by that event and who went on after the war to play a pivotal role in the growth of Buddhism in Singapore.

Finally, we will hear stories of Chinese leaders who were forced to collaborate with the Japanese under duress, or who did so to survive or reap personal gain. Hear the stories of how they survived or died during this difficult period in Singapore’s history at Bukit Brown.

Note: Admission is free but registration is required.

Lest We Forget

Photo Credit: National Heritage Board

Date: 17 Feb, 24 Feb & 2 Mar 2024
Time: 4.30pm to 6pm

Throughout history, people have erected statues and sculptures in honour of men and women of valour, courage and sacrifice. Tall, impressive and often austere – what do these memorials actually stand for? Who, or what, are we meant to remember?

Discover the symbolism in each memorial’s design as well as the hidden stories behind each sculpture and engraving. More importantly, learn about the heroes who sacrificed themselves for Singapore, lest we forget.

Monuments covered: Civilian War Memorial, Cenotaph, Lim Bo Seng Memorial.

Note: A charge of $5 applies for this tour.

Under Occupation

Date: 25 Feb 2024
Time: 9am to 11.30am

What was life like under Occupation - in the beginning when the Singapore fell in the midst of the Lunar New Year celebration and also closer to the end of the Occupation, when there were clear signs the Japanese were losing control? Catherine takes you on a walk on the dark side, touching on the historical events of Sook Ching, of the humiliation the Chinese leaders had to go through, and of accusations of betrayal and post war exoneration.

Note: Admission is free but registration is required.

Other Museum Roundtable Programmes

Secrets Beneath The Surface: A Curator's Tour of The Battlebox

Photo Credit: Global Cultural Alliance

Date: 2 Mar 2024
Time: 11am to 12pm

The Battlebox invites you to unveil the secrets of Singapore's only operational WWII bunker; and journey through a meticulously recreated past to experience the pulse of strategic decisions leading to the fall of Singapore. Led by historian and curator, Tan Teng Teng, this exclusive tour uncovers the history of the Battlebox, including insights on the pivotal roles each room played within the labyrinthine complex. Hear everyday accounts of the soldiers who once occupied the hallowed halls. Teng Teng will also share personal stories and anecdotes about her experience researching the Battlebox.

Note: A charge of $15 applies to this programme.

Changi Chapel and Museum (CCM)

• Dancing Poppies by Artist Florence Ng

Date: 17 Feb to 17 Aug 2024
Time: 10am to 5pm

In times of war, the human spirit perseveres not only through resilience but also creativity. As we reflect on the courage and formidable spirit of those interned in Changi Goal during the Japanese Occupation, let us appreciate the human ability to find joy in simple acts of creativity. This poppy installation by artist Florence Ng features kinetic elements that capture sunlight and move together with the wind, highlighting the red poppy as a symbol of remembrance with hope and joy.

• DIY Paper Poppies

Date: 17 Feb to 10 Mar 2024
Time: 10am to 5pm

Complete your visit and make your own paper poppy flower at the last stop of the exhibition. Pen down your thoughts and head to the Chapel to ‘plant’ it.

Note: This is a drop-in activity. No pre-registration is required.

• Twinned Tours: Changi Chapel and Museum and Changi Prison Wall

Date: 17 Feb 2024
Time: 9am to 11.30am; 10am to 12.30pm

Explore both the Changi Chapel and Museum (CCM) and the Changi Prison Entrance Gate, Wall and Turrets – a National Monument of Singapore – in one tour! Gain exclusive access to this monument to discover Changi Prison’s past, and through a complementary visit to the CCM, find out more about the experiences of prisoners of war during the Japanese Occupation from 1942 to 1945.

Note: A charge of $21.80 applies for this tour.

• Twinned Tours: Changi Chapel and Museum and Changi Point

Date: 18 Feb 2024
Time: 9am to 12pm; 11am to 2pm

Uncover stories of WWII in Singapore in this special twinned tour of CCM and Changi Point. The programme begins with a docent-led tour of the CCM where you will learn about the experiences of the POWs imprisoned at Changi.

Then, explore Changi Point in an outdoor walking tour with Jerome Lim of the Long and Winding Road, uncovering the history of various historical sites and the role they played during WWII. The tour will include the newly re-opened boardwalk along the Changi coast, as well as former military buildings in the area.

Note: A charge of $21.80 applies for this tour.

• Stamping Activity

Venue: Various locations within CCM
Date: 17 Feb to 10 Mar 2024, Daily (except Mon)
Time: 10am to 5pm

Pick up a postcard from our Visitor Services counter at CCM and look out for our stamping stations within each exhibition. Turn the postcard into a keepsake artwork for you to bring home at the end of the exhibition!

Complete the stamping activity at both CCM & Reflections at Bukit Chandu to redeem a mystery gift.

Note: The mystery gift is limited to the first 50 redemptions per week at each museum. Redemption is on a first come, first served basis and while stocks last. Limited to one gift per person.

Eurasian Heritage Gallery

• Against All Odds: Stories from Eurasian WW2 Survivors

Date: 24 Feb & 2 Mar 2024
Time: 11am to 1pm

Through a specially curated tour and video screening, you will hear first-hand accounts from Eurasian WW2 survivors and their family members about the horrors of the Japanese Occupation. You’ll be inspired by their determination to survive in the face of hardship and deprivation. Plus, you’ll even get a taste of WW2 as you sample warinspired refreshments.

Note: A charge of $10 applies for this tour.

Former Ford Factory

• Guided Tour of Former Ford Factory

Date: 17 Feb 2024
Time: 11.30am to 12.30pm & 2.30pm to 3.30pm

Every year, Singapore commemorates Total Defence Day on 15 February, which marks the fall of Singapore in 1942. Join us for a guided tour of the Former Ford Factory and discover stories of the Japanese invasion and Occupation of Singapore, as well as the resistance and resilience of the people.

Note: Admission is free but registration is required.

• Archives Invites: Lee Geok Boi, Researching the Syonan Years at the National Archives of Singapore

Date: 15 Feb 2024
Time: 7pm to 8pm

The collections at the National Archives of Singapore give incredible insights into Singapore’s history. Besides official records, there is a treasure trove of oral history interviews on the Japanese Occupation of Singapore (1942 - 45) as well as relevant materials from other archival collections. The talk will explore the difficulties of accessing archival records when they were paper records, today’s ongoing digitisation efforts, and privacy law and its effects on researchers.

Note: Admission is free but registration is required.

Fort Siloso

• Free Day Tour at Fort Siloso

Date: 10, 16, 17 & 18 Feb 2024
Time: 3pm to 4.30pm

Come and explore Fort Siloso, Singapore’s best-preserved 19th century fort, and the remains of fortified military structures, guns and tunnels that were used during World War II with our passionate guides, as Sentosa commemorates the Battle of Singapore where we remember the crucial role that Fort Siloso had played in defending Singapore.

Note: Admission is free but registration is required.

Singapore Discovery Centre

• Defence Through The Ages Guided Tour

Photo Credit: Singapore Discovery Centre

Date: 24 Feb 2024
Time: 1pm to 2pm

Embark on a hero’s journey at Singapore Discovery Centre where you won’t just commemorate 40 years of Total Defence – you’ll live it.

Join us on our Defence Through The Ages Guided Tour and discover some of the key historical events that have shaped our defence strategy through the years. Then take a glimpse at how these strategies can play a part in keeping Singapore safe and secure at our Total Defence Special Exhibition.

Note: Admission is free.

Reflections at Bukit Chandu

• Loyal and True: A Theatrical Experience at Reflections at Bukit Chandu

Photo Credit: National Heritage Board

Date: 3 Mar 2024
Time: 3pm to 3.30pm; 4.30pm to 5pm

Immerse yourself in the story of the Malay Regiment in this interactive theatrical experience! Hear from the characters about their thoughts and feelings regarding their experiences during World War Two, and discover the heroic and human aspects of the Malay Regiment.

Note: A charge of $16 applies for this programme.

• Twinned Tours: Battle of Pasir Panjang and Reflections at Bukit Chandu

Photo Credit: National Heritage Board

Date: 2 Mar 2024
Time: 9am to 11.30am; 11.30am to 1pm

Explore both Reflections at Bukit Chandu (RBC) and key sights of Pasir Panjang and Kent Ridge, and find out more about the last stand of the Malay Regiment during World War Two in Singapore, as well as the story of Bukit Chandu itself.

The tour starts at Kent Ridge, where heritage researcher Sarafian Salleh will trace the route taken by Japanese imperial forces and the 1st Malay Regiment led by Lieutenant Adnan Saidi during the Battle of Pasir Panjang in 1942. Continue on to a docent-guided tour of RBC, which presents a multi-faceted look at Bukit Chandu and Pasir Panjang, while inviting participants to reflect on our nation’s wartime experience and the brave sacrifice of the soldiers.

Note: A charge of $21.80 applies for this programme.

• Stamping Activity

Date: 17 Feb to 10 Mar 2024, Daily (except Mon)
Time: 10am to 4.30pm

Pick up a postcard from our Visitor Services counter at Reflections at Bukit Chandu and look out for our stamping stations within each exhibition. Turn the postcard into a keepsake artwork for you to bring home at the end of the exhibition! Complete the stamping activity at both Changi Chapel and Museum & Reflections at Bukit Chandu to redeem a mystery gift.

Note: The mystery gift is limited to the first 50 redemptions per week at each museum. Redemption is on a first come, first served basis and while stocks last. Limited to one gift per person.

• Surviving The Wild by Beyond Expeditions SG

Date: 17, 18, 24 & 25 Feb 2024
Time: 11am to 4.30pm

In times of war, survival skills play a critical role in enabling individuals to overcome adversity, secure essential resources and adapt to unforeseen circumstances. Pick up skills similar to those used by military troops in Singapore during wartime such as rope weaving, camouflage techniques and map-reading skills. Survival activities are guided by local outdoor adventure team, Beyond Expeditions Singapore. This year, enjoy a more immersive experience as you travel through a forest in the dark in our special forest maze set-up.

Complete all survival stations and bring home a mystery gift!

Note: This is a drop-in activity. No pre-registration is required. The mystery gift is limited to the first 200 redemptions per week. Redemption is on a first come, first served basis and while stocks last. Limited to one gift per person.

Registration Details

Registration for tours and programmes commences 15 February 2024 at 10am, on a first-come first-served basis.

Members of the public may visit this link for more information and to sign up for Battle for Singapore 2024 programmes. 

Free Shuttle Services Available

Date: 17, 18, 24 & 25 Feb 2024
Time: Various timings

For two weekends in February, visitors can hop on a complimentary shuttle bus service that goes between the National Museum of Singapore, high-traffic MRT stations near the museum (Tampines MRT and Harbourfront MRT), Changi Chapel and Museum and Reflections at Bukit Chandu. Visitors can hop on at our various pick-up points (no drop-off except at museums). Enjoy a day of convenient travelling around our museums and learning about the stories of WWII in Singapore.

17 & 24 Feb 2024 Routes & Estimated Pick-Up Times

• National Museum of Singapore (12.30pm), Tampines MRT Exit B (1pm), Changi Chapel and Museum (2.10pm), Harbourfront MRT Exit D (2.40pm), Reflections at Bukit Chandu (3.50pm), return to the National Museum at 4.20pm.

18 & 25 Feb 2024 Routes & Estimated Pick-Up Times

• National Museum of Singapore (12.30pm), Harbourfront MRT Exit D (12.50pm), Reflections at Bukit Chandu (2.10pm), Tampines MRT Exit B (2.35pm), Changi Chapel and Museum (3.50pm), return to the National Museum at 4.25pm.

Note: Timings are subject to change and may vary due to traffic conditions.