Get ready to journey back in time and explore the pivotal moments of World War II in Singapore at the National Heritage Board's (NHB) annual Battle for Singapore.
From 15 Feb to 2 Mar 2025, commemorate the 83rd anniversary of the Fall of Singapore at the annual Battle for Singapore with a rich programme of tours, talks, workshops, and exhibitions. This year's festival offers over 20 unique experiences, many for the first time, delving into the resilience and experiences that shaped the nation during its darkest hours.
Registration for Battle for Singapore 2025 tours and programmes opens on 11 February 2025 at 12pm on a first-come, first-served basis - scroll down for the booking link.
A New Signature Experience: Fort Siloso Twilight Tour
Venue: Fort Siloso, Sentosa
Dates and Time: 15, 16, 22, 23 February, 1, 2 March 2025, 6pm – 7.30pm
Fees: $25 per person
A highlight of this year's festival is the brand-new Fort Siloso Twilight Tour. Led by historian Dr John Kwok and Sentosa Development Corporation's Muhammad Saifullah Kamaludin, this exclusive after-hours tour offers a unique perspective on the events leading up to the Fall of Singapore.
This immersive tour takes you through the historic fortifications and strategic areas of Fort Siloso, where you'll learn about the pivotal events leading to the fall of Singapore during World War II. As dusk falls, hear stories of the soldiers and civilians as they prepared for the war in Singapore and explore preserved areas of the fort that once played a crucial role in defending the city. A moving tribute to the resilience and perseverance of those who endured the darkest days in Singapore's history.
Discover New Programmes and Perspectives
Beyond the signature tour, Battle for Singapore offers a diverse range of new programmes:
A Soldier’s Kit — Field Rations during World War Two
Venue: Reflections at Bukit Chandu
Dates and Time: 15 February 2025, 10am – 11am (for families with children aged seven and above), 11.30am – 12.30pm (for participants aged 16 and above)
Fees: $21.80 per adult-child pair, $10.90 per adult
Explore a soldier’s kit featuring actual items from World War II as well as replicas from the collection of Alvin’s Bunker. Learn more about what soldiers in the 1940s ate and how they groomed themselves, as well as the design and evolution of ration and hygiene kits from past to present, with examples from the armed forces of different countries. The programme will be led by Alvin Lee of Alvin’s Bunker. Each participant will also receive their own mini World War II ration pack.
Heritage Chat on Sport in Syonan
Venue: Yan Kit Pool Heritage Gallery
Dates and Time: 28 February 2025, 6.30pm – 7.30pm
Fees: Free of charge
During the Japanese Occupation of Singapore, military and civilian officials governing Singapore used a combination of State Shinto and sport to assist in culturally assimilating Singapore into Japan’s Empire.
A planned massive sports complex was to be located at Singapore’s own State Shinto shrine, the Syonan Jinja, partly modelled on Japan’s Meiji Shrine which regularly held on its own grounds sports events and games that mixed the rituals of State Shinto with athleticism. Participation in sport was used to assimilate local populations into an imperial identity united under the Japanese Emperor.
Day Zero
Venue: Singapore Discovery Centre (Meeting Point)
Dates and Time: 15, 16 February, 1 March 2025, 10am – 12.20pm
Fees: $5 per pax
Relive the fear and chaos upon first contact with Japanese invasion forces. Find out how poor leadership and miscommunication quickly brought about the capitulation of the whole of western Singapore.
This bus tour will be led by volunteer guide Dr John Kwok and will cover the following sites: Singapore Discovery Centre, Sarimbun Beach Landing, Sungei Buloh Visitor Centre.
The Naval Volunteer Reserve and WW2
Venue: Telok Ayer Basin / Lau Pa Sat (Meeting Point)
Dates and Time: 16 February 2025, 9am – 11.30am, 2pm – 4.30pm
Fees: $5 per pax
This bus tour explores spaces featured in Singapore’s early defences such as the significance of names like Fullerton and Battery Road, the development of the harbour and its importance to Singapore, the development of the volunteer forces in general, shipping (and the Straits Steamship Co — which provided many of the evacuation ships) and also the site of the SSNVR and stories of the evacuation.
Singapore Air Force Museum Feature Tour: War over Singapore
Venue: Yew Tee MRT (Meeting Point)
Dates and Time: 15 February (10am, 11am, 1pm), 22 February (9am, 11am, 1pm), 16, 23 February, 1, 2 March 2025 (9am, 10am, 11am, 1pm)
Fees: $5 per pax
The programme provides an exclusive access into Tengah Air Base, the site which came under the control of the Japanese and become Yamashita's first command centre during World War II.
Cashin House: Witness to Invasion
Venue: Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve (Meeting Point)
Dates and Time: 15, 22 February 2025, 9am – 10.30am, 11am – 12.30pm
Fees: Free of Charge
Join heritage veteran 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 during World War II. Learn about the perspectives of men on opposing sides as they engaged in battle, and explore the area’s historical landscape.
Can Singapore be Defended?
Venue: BattleBox, Fort Canning (Meeting Point)
Dates and Time: 22, 23 February, 1, 2 March 2025, 10am – 12.30pm, 2pm – 4.30pm
Fees: $5 per person
Step into the past and uncover the gripping story of the Fall of Singapore in 1942. Journey through the Battlebox, Fort Canning Centre, and National Gallery Singapore as we relive the struggles of wartime defence and draw powerful connections to our present-day efforts in safeguarding our nation.
Under Occupation by Catherine
Venue: Bus stop 41161 on Lornie Highway (Meeting Point)
Dates and Time: 15 February 2025, 9am – 11.30am
Fees: Free of Charge
Stories from the graves—a recounting of the events leading up to the Japanese invasion of Singapore, from surrender to post-war reckoning. This tour will offer insights into the history and significance of Bukit Brown, with a focus on the people who lived through these turbulent times.
Remembering WW2 by Fabian
Venue: Hill 1, Bukit Brown Cemetery (Meeting Point)
Dates and Time: 16 February 2025, 9am – 11.30am
Fees: Free of Charge
Join Fabian Tee and learn about the narrow escapes, the brutality of the Japanese war machine, and the David and Goliath fight to the bitter end—just some of the unending stories that make up Bukit Brown Cemetery’s history. T
Voices of the Past at Bukit Brown by Bianca
Venue: Hill 1, Bukit Brown Cemetery (Meeting Point)
Dates and Time: 22 February 2025, 9am – 11.30am
Fees: Free of Charge
Join Bianca to learn about stories of shipwrecks, heroes, and victims in WWII. The tour will cover Hills 1, 3, and 4, including the new Voices monument.
Battle of Bukit Brown and Mount Pleasant by Beng Tang
Venue: Bus stop B41141 on Adam Road (Meeting Point)
Dates and Time: 23 February 2025, 8.30am – 11.45am
Fees: Free of Charge
A tour of one of the last relatively intact battlefield sites in Singapore, following the course of the battles from 11–15 February 1942 between elements of the Japanese 5th Division and the British 18th Division, ending at the final front line on the day of surrender.
Bukit Brown Memorial Tour - Remembering the Victims and Its Heroes by Peter Pak
Venue: Hill 1, Bukit Brown Cemetery (Starting Point)
Dates and Time: 1 March 2025, 9am – 12pm
Fees: Free of Charge
Join Peter Pak on an exploration of Bukit Brown Cemetery. Learn about tragic events, such as the sinking of a ship that killed women and children, betrayal leading to a hero’s delayed burial, and stories of resistance ambushes and Chinese leaders forced to collaborate with the Japanese during WWII.
Walking Tour from Botanic Gardens to Adam Park with Attention to No. 11 Adam Park by Claire Leow
Venue: Botanic Gardens MRT Exit A (Meeting Point)
Dates and Time: 1 March 2025, 8.30am – 11am
Fees: Free of Charge
This tour describes the last days of the Fall of Singapore with fierce battles from Bukit Timah and the fight to cut off the water supply to the city. It links sites such as Botanic Gardens, Raffles College, Trinity College, Adam Park, Sime Road, and Bukit Brown in the context of the war. You will also learn about No. 11 Adam Park, a site of resilience and dignity with connections to Bishop John Leonard Wilson of St Andrew’s Cathedral and the Changi Chapel.
Adam Park: From Home to Battlefield by Simone Lee
Venue: No 7 Adam Park (Meeting Point)
Dates and Time: 2 March 2025, 9am – 11.30am
Fees: Free of Charge
Civilians, soldiers, and prisoners of war—hear their stories through a house-by-house account of life before, during, and after the fall of Singapore.
WWII Guided Tour Through Second World War Toys
Venue: MINT Museum of Toys
Dates and Time: 15 February – 2 March 2025, Weekdays: 2.30pm, 4.30pm; Weekends: 11.30am, 2.30pm
Fees: Contact Museum for pricing
The 'WWII Guided Tour Through Second World War Toys' programme examines how toys were used to normalize war, encourage war efforts, and celebrate war achievements across both 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, collectibles of Sikh soldiers who fought during the Battle of Singapore in 1942, propaganda toys, and a focus on fighter planes and battleship toy models that have left a lasting legacy. The tour includes an engaging trivia session that uncovers little-known facts and strategies used by both the Allies and Axis. Specially curated for this programme, limited pieces of a 'M-40' Gun Motor Carriage Collectable Toy, modeled after the iconic American self-propelled artillery vehicle, will be available for purchase as a memorabilia piece.
Re-enactment by River Valley High School Students at the Former Ford Factory
Venue: Former Ford Factory
Dates and Time: 15 February 2025, 2pm – 3.30pm
Fees: $20 per person
Join River Valley High School students, passionate history enthusiasts, as they guide you through a special re-enactment and tour at the Former Ford Factory, focusing on the Battle of Singapore. The student-led tour will take you through the museum’s exhibits, sharing the perspectives of both the Japanese and British forces during the battle. This tour features re-enactments and storytelling, offering a closer look at the battles fought in Singapore.
Guided Tour by Docents of the Former Ford Factory
Venue: Former Ford Factory
Dates and Time: 15 February 2025, English Tours: 11am – 12.30pm, 3.30pm – 5pm; Mandarin Tour: 11.30am – 1pm
Fees: $20 per person
Join this guided tour of the Former Ford Factory, a key site in Singapore’s WWII history. Learn about the Battle of Singapore and the dramatic events leading to the British surrender on 15th February 1942. Explore exhibits featuring personal accounts, wartime artifacts, and the challenges faced during the battle.
In-house docents will share insights into the battle’s impact on Singapore and its people, providing a deeper understanding of this pivotal moment in history.
Engage in Workshops and Talks
Enhance your understanding of WWII with a series of insightful workshops and talks.
Resilience in Adversity – A Docent-Guided Tour and Hand-bound Notebook Workshop
Venue: Changi Chapel and Museum
Dates and Time: 23 February 2025, 10am – 11.30am, 11am – 12.30pm
Fees: $15 per participant
Amid hardship and deprivation, the internees of Changi Prison during World War Two found inventive ways to improve their lot. Faced with major shortages of shelter, food, and daily products, they worked together to scavenge materials and produce a variety of items, from soap and vitamin supplements to prosthetics and toothbrushes.
Learn more about their extraordinary creativity and resilience through a docent-guided tour featuring actual items belonging to former internees, including a hand-stitched notepad made by Sergeant John Ritchie Johnston out of old prison records. Be inspired by their ingenuity and create your own hand-bound notebook using upcycled materials in a guided craft session after the tour.
Former Japanese Soldiers: Their Memories of the Malayan Campaign and Fall of Singapore
Venue: National Museum of Singapore, Gallery Theatre
Dates and Time: 27 February 2025, 7.30pm – 8.30pm
Fees: $5 per participant
How did the Japanese soldiers remember the invasion of Malaya and Singapore, and what were their post-war fates? Many of those who survived the war were deeply impacted by their involvement in that violent period of history. Some even disagreed over how certain events should be approached and perceived.
Dr. Ling Xi Min will share insights into the Japanese veterans’ varied, complex, and often ambivalent reflections on the Malayan campaign, as they grappled with the loss of their comrades and the uncomfortable legacies of the atrocities their army inflicted on the local population.
Resistance in Singapore
Venue: Indian Heritage Centre, Activity Space
Dates and Time: 21 February 2025, 7pm – 8pm
Fees: Free of Charge
This session highlights the distinct networks of resistance within Singapore, focusing on Indian POWs and local civilians, as well as the role of key locations like the Radio Station, Cathay Cinema, INA HQ, and POW camps.
Explore how information was passed through various civilian groups (Malay, Chinese, Indian, Eurasian) and their role in resisting Japanese forces. The talk concludes with the story of war hero Inspector Boudweyn, emphasizing the significance of resistance within the local context.
Seeking Justice: Singapore War Crimes Trials 1946
Venue: Haw Par Villa, Rise of Asia Museum Auditorium
Dates and Time: 26 February 2025, 6pm – 7.30pm
Fees: $5 per participant
The first-ever war crimes trials were held in Nuremberg from 1945–1946, targeting senior Nazis for atrocities committed during World War II. Following this, war crimes trials were also held in Tokyo and Singapore. In commemoration of the 83rd Anniversary of the Battle for Singapore, Haw Par Villa is organizing a talk on the Singapore War Crimes Trials.
Archives Invites: Dr Gary Lit – The Terrors and Nightmares of the Japanese Occupation: Recollections, Reflections, and Retrospection
Venue: Online via Zoom (Registration Required)
Dates and Time: 27 February 2025, 7pm– 8pm
Fees: Free
Given the recency of the anniversary of the Fall of Singapore and the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII, this talk offers an opportune moment for reflection on the most tumultuous period in Singapore’s history.
Dr. Gary Lit will unveil some of the dark legacies and uncover hidden truths of that turbulent period. Among other topics, the speaker will shed light on the nightmarish Sook Ching conducted by the Japanese Army, providing a voice to those who suffered under the Japanese Occupation.
Booking Information
Registration for Battle for Singapore 2025 tours and programmes opens on 11 February 2025 at 12pm on a first-come, first-served basis. Visit www.museums.com.sg for more information and to book your place.
Don't miss this opportunity to delve into a crucial period of Singapore's history and gain a deeper appreciation for the resilience of its people.
