World War 2 & Colonial History
We offer anytime private Wartime Singapore tours, available by clicking the links below.
Learn about the Japanese invasion in 1942, and the events leading up to the unexpected capitulation of “Fortress Singapore, Gibraltar of the East” changed the course of Singapore’s history. Things would literally never be the same again.
These tours are popular in the lead up to Anzac Day in April and Remembrance Day in November.
A Deep Dive into Singapore’s World War 2 History
Join one of our expert military guides to learn about the invasion and occupation of Singapore by the Japanese during WWII. Hear personal recollections of the impact of the war years on families, the various communities and the country as a whole.
Learn about the reasons behind, and the sequence of events leading up to, the invasion of 1942, and how this culminated in the unexpected capitulation of “Fortress Singapore” on February 15, 1942.
Discover how the subsequent three-and-a-half years of occupation impacted both the psyche and the history of Singapore; things would literally never be the same.
During that time Singapore was known as Syonan-To, and the reality was tough —both for the POWs and the general population — whose suffering included the brutal Sook Ching massacres.
Highlights
- Adam Road area to hear about the experiences of the military POWs at this Black & White estate and adjoining Sime Rd, site of a civilian POW camp
- Kranji landing beaches to relive the terrifying last few days of the Japanese campaign to take Singapore
- Kranji War Cemetery (weekday only) to learn about how it developed into a peaceful monument to the many lives lost in far from peaceful times
- Synonan Chureito, a monument to Japanese fallen soldiers
- Old Former Ford Factory, site of the original British surrender of Singapore and a museum that explains and illustrates both the invasion and the occupation
- City Hall, site of the Japanese surrender to the Allies in September 1945, now part of the National Gallery
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Adam Park World War 2 Walking Tour
The colonial estate of Adam Park was built in the 1920s to house British government employees, and during the Battle of Singapore it was the scene of heavy fighting. After the surrender to the Japanese the deserted and damaged houses were used to house Prisoners of War, who were put to work in the area to build a Japanese shrine.
Adjoining Adam Park was the Sime Road military camp, which housed the headquarters of the combined forces before they moved to the bunker at Fort Canning a few days before surrender. During the war the Sime Road area became a camp for civilian internees.
During this 2 hour walking tour we will explore the Adam Park area on foot to and try to bring to life the events of February 1942 leading to the capture of Singapore by the Japanese, and the plight of the prisoners that stayed here during occupation. You will learn about the main events during the battle of Singapore and Japanese occupation. A 3 hour tour will allow us to visit Adam Drive, the site of the former Sime Road camp, as well as Adam Park.