SINGAPORE COMMEMORATES THE END OF WWII

IN THE ASIA PACIFIC

This year marks the 60^th anniversary of the end of WWII in the Asia Pacific. From now until September, WWII veterans, visitors and Singaporeans can take part in a series of events to commemorate this historic occasion.

Led by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), together with partners including the Australian and British High Commissions, the National Heritage Board, the National Institute of Education and Singapore's WWII sites, highlights will include heritage tours, WWII commemorative exhibitions, a WWII Veterans’ Forum, public conferences, talks on the Asia Pacific War and promotions at Singapore’s WWII sites. The activities will culminate in September with memorial services at the Kranji War Memorial, the Changi Chapel Museum and the Sembawang Wharves.

“Singapore has a rich wartime legacy which is preserved and kept alive for future generations through our many WWII heritage sites,” said Mr Kevin Leong, Regional Director Oceania, Singapore Tourism Board.

“The series of commemorative activities planned for September will not only pay tribute to those who fought in the war, but will also raise awareness and appreciation of Singapore’s war-time history and it’s lesser-known heritage offerings among locals and visitors,” added Mr Leong.

Visitors and locals in September will have the rare opportunity to visit WWII sites usually not open to the public. Through special tours organised by local operators, the public will have the chance to view the original Changi Murals – beautiful wall paintings created by Stanley Warren, also a Changi prisoner of war – as well as a section of the infamous Changi Prison, where 50,000 prisoners of war and civilians were held in captivity between 1942 and 1945.

The tours also include visits to Singapore’s key war heritage sites including Fort Siloso, Changi Chapel Museum, the Battle Box at Fort Canning, Reflections at Bukit Chandu and Labrador Park.

From March onwards, visitors will also be able to explore Labrador Park’s wartime tunnels, one of Singapore’s strategic defensive sites and a key place of resistance during WWII.

The more active tourist can experience the Pasir Panjang Heritage Trail, a walking path that includes a stroll through Bukit Chandu ("Opium Hill") and Kent Ridge Park - the scene of Singapore's final heroic battle against Japanese invaders on 14 February 1942.

The refurbishment of the Changi Museum will be one of the highlights to mark the 60th anniversary. For the first time, there will be new exhibits featuring original artworks by the prisoners on display. Also on show will be original artefacts from Changi Prison, such as a prison cell door, a piece of the prison boundary wall and chapel pews. The new exhibits will be launched on 10 September the same day as the Changi Chapel Memorial Service.

To join in the commemorative activities, Allways Travel is offering a special 60th Anniversary End of WWII Japanese Occupation tour. The tour package including flights, accommodation at the Carlton Hotel, some meals, taxes and transfers and prices start from $2,290.00 (ex Melbourne), $2,294.00 (ex Brisbane), $2,304.00 (ex Adelaide) and $2,309.00  (ex Sydney).

The specially organised tour departs on 7 September will take visitors on a seven day journey throughout Singapore’s WWII sites including Sentosa’s recently resorted Fort Siloso, Labrador Park, Selarang Barracks, Johore Battery, Changi Chapel and Museum, For Canning Park including the BattleBox, and Padang. The tour will finish with visitors attending the Kranji Commonwealth War Cemetery for the 0700hr Commemorative Remembrance Service before departing on 13 September.

If you are unable to take advantage of this tour, Allways Travel offers 4-day WWII packages throughout the year. For more information on any of their tours, contact Allways Travel “Battlefields of the World” on (02) 9235 1022 or visit www.battlefieldsoftheworld.com

For more information on the 60th Anniversary WWII Commemoration events, please refer to www.visitsingapore.com/WWII or contact the Singapore Tourism Board on (02) 9290 2888