HISTORY AA 2009
THE JOURNEY THROUGH WORLD WAR II
“BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!” Ahmad was rudely awakened by the sounds of explosions. It was on the 30th January,1941, slightly after four in the morning. Ahmad was a local living in Singapore. He shares a room with seven other coolies which were his new-made-friends. They were also normal locals: exactly like him. It may sound unbearable living with seven other men whose size are as big as three to four babies. However, at Ahmads’ time, its already considered lucky and very very fortunate to have a proper place to stay, shelter and sleep.
Coming back to the explosions… Ahmad and his seven other sleepy headed friends, quickly scrambled out of their bed to see what was happening. People screaming. Bombs exploding. Babies crying. The atmosphere was a chaos. Warships and airplanes were zooming here and there. All of a sudden, he felt the shock of urgenness. He quickly packed and went out. Ignoring his friends. He dashed out of the dilapidated shophouse.
Meanwhile in the Singapore British Headquarters, “I believe that Japanese army, air force and navy are inferior! They wouldn’t be able to beat us in this war!” Lieutenant-Percival Adnan said. “Our warships are all out to date and those Japanese are cycling their bicycles down Malaya. So, what the hell are we to do now?” looking at all his sodiers.
As days goes by, more and more people die. Either purposely killed or accidently. The British had tried to fight the war. A lot of fights occur. On 11th of February, a war occurred at the Bukit Timah Hill and on the 13th of February, another war occurred at Pasir Panjang. Liuetenant Adnan bin Saidi of the Malay Regiment led the fight against the Japanese here. Then, the Malay Regiment make its last stand at Bukit Chandu.
On 15th of February 1942, which was the Chinese New Year, the British had a final conference at the Fort Canning bunker. Lieutenant-General Percival wanted to discuss ways to counter-attack but his commanders were against the idea. They felt that there were too many problems and the soldiers were tired. More men would be killed if they were to engage the Japanese in street fighting. Furthermore, their supplies of food and water were running out. To prevent further bloodshed, the British opted for surrender. On 15th February 1942, Japanese Lieutenant-Colonel Sugita led Percival and his delegation to the Ford Motor Factory to negotiate the surrender terms.
On the negotiating table, Percival met Lieutenant-General Tomoyuki Yamasita for the very first time. A sense of tense and uncomfortableness was strongly distributed around every part of the room. Percival’s heart skipped a beat.
“I want to hear whether you want to surrender or not. If you want to surrender, I insist on it being unconditional. What is your answer? Yes or no?”Yamashita spoke with an English which was as fluent as any Japanese.
“Will you give me until tomorrow morning?”Percival tried to hesitate.
“Tomorrow? I cannot wait and the Japanese force will have to attack tonight.”
“How about waiting until 11.30 p.m.. Tokyo time?”
“If that is to be the case, the Japanese forces will have to resume attacks until then. Will you say yes or no?” Yamshita said firmly.
For a moment, the room went dead silent.
“I want to hear a decisive answer and I insist on an unconditional surrender. What do you say?” Yamashita still insist on British surrender.
Having no other choice, Percival,” Yes.”
“All right then. The order to ceasefire must be issued exactly at 10 p.m. I will immediately send a thousang troops into the city area to maintain peace and order. You agree to that?”
“Yes.”
“If you violate these terms, the Japanese will lose no time in launching a general and final offensive against Singapore City.”
Hence, marked on Singapore’s history, Singapore was legally Japanese’s’ on 15th February 1942 after British had signed the surrender agreement.
After the surrender of the British, Ahmad had went back to his home. Life for Singaporeans had changed tremendously. Ahmad realized that there were no more ‘white’ people around. However, a lot more Chinese-like people present. They wore a green uniform complete with a cap that has a red star logo at the middle-front view of the hat. He had also learnt to bow ninety degrees towards the front whenever he sees any of these people around. And now,Singapore is known as Syonan-To. A group of Japanese military police, Kempetai, were sent to restore order in Singapore.
When the Japanese military took control of the island, they had plans to deal with the troops of Singapore. The Japanese interned the British, Australians and Allied Europeans in Singapore, including women and children. Allied soldiers were forced to march from the Padang to Selarang Barracks, which was 22 kilometres away. European civilians were marched to Katong first before going to Changi Prison.
To Ahmad, the Kempetai were cruel and they kept Singaporeans in a constant state of anxiety and fear. At the slightest offence, punishment was swift and severe. Many anti-Japanese suspects were subjected to terrible torture or decapitation at the Kempetai Centre. They hate the ‘white’ people and also the Chinese. However, they do not treat the Malays and Indians that badly. They told Ahmad and his Indian friends that they will try to fill Singapore from the British rule. They said to the Indians that they would free India from the British. However, these two races were not entirely spared because anyone who tried to disobeyed or displeased the Japanese would still be punished.some Malays were also drafted for forced labour at the ‘Death Railway’ camps.
An operation called Sook Ching was set up to identify and eliminate suspected anti-Japanese elements among the Chinese community.the Japanese also had certain strategy. For example propaganda. All Singaporeans were supposed to only learn the Japanese language and only Japanese printed newspapers were available.radio stations were also controlled by them. Anybody caught tuning to any other broadcasting stations except for Japanese, were severely punished or killed. In the cinemas, only Japanese movies and propaganda films were shown.
Each household was issued to a number of ration cards to purchase essential goods. And because of these, many lived in poverty and suffered from malnutrition and disease. Essential foodstuffs were sold for a very high price in the black market. The situation was made worst by the unlimited supplies of the ‘banana notes’. Life gets harder and harder each day.
After atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki on 6 and 9 August 1945 respectively, the Japanese surrendered shortly after. The British troops returned to Singapore on 5th September 1945. However, the people faced many problems in the post-war Singapore such as the overcrowded living conditions, poor sanitation. Lack of health services and unemployment. However, the most serious problems were the shortage of food and lack of housing. And then another dilemma in Singapore began.
1,149 words
Nur Shu’ada Baharudin(11)
Respect 1
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
a short lil' poem
Letters start with.....A B C Numbers start with.....1 2 3 Songs start with.....Do-re-mi But love starts with.....YOU & ME...
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
its been soooo long
hi guys! im really exhausted as i'd chiong on 2 of my research work.there's been too much work assigned by our teachers lately.and this week there is 2 AAs to be done... ARGHHHHHHH! so the nvery stress. i believe all my fwens are stressed out too. oh! i almost forget... I'D FINISHED ONE OF THE AAs!!!!!!! YEY!!! hahahahahahaha. i feel like a retard right now. wat do u think? k guys gtg now! luv ya all. muuuuuaks!
Drama Script
Drama Script - School Disciplines
Characters:
#Miss Chin #Councilor #Student 1 #Student 2
#Student 3 #Student 4
*** *** *** *** *** *** Scene 1
Student 1: (kid tries to throw rubbish into the bin, but missed. Instead of picking it up, he just walked away).
Councilor: (saw what happened) Ahem... Ahem… excuse me, could you please be nice and kindly pick up that rubbish on the floor?
Student 1: It’s not mine! Anyone could have just left it there. Why should I be the one picking it up ?(eyes rolling)
Councilor: Do not argue with me. I’m very sure you know you left it there!?(Staring curiously into the student’s eyes, waiting for the student to admit his fault)
Student 1: Sorry, but its really not mine. Since you portray yourself as a good councilor, why not YOU prove it to ME that you are really one??!!
Councilor: Oh! Did I??!!(a bit irritate) tell you what I’m tired of talking and I am really, really late for my lesson. For the sake of the cleanliness of OUR school, I WILL!(picks up the litter and quickly scribbled the students name)
Student 1: WHATEVER MISSY! (Student scornfully walks away)
Scene 2
Student 2: “OH! MY! GOD! Have you tried subway’s macadamia cookie?” (still chewing on the remains of the last cookie left in her mouth.)
Student 3: “No, why?” (giving a stare as if to say; what’s so cool about that?)
Student 2: “hmmm… apparently, I think it’s the best cookie I’ve ever tasted and you should try one, okay.”
Student 3: “Okayyyy, whatever you say, anyway, have you heard Lady Gaga’s latest song-Starstruck?”(She already knew the answer, her cookie friend hadn’t, all she knows now is macadamia cookies.)
Student 2: “hmmm… I’m not sure, maybe.” (she throws subway cookie bag into the bin.)
Student 3: “Your music life is so………” (suddenly sees student1 throw paper on the floor.)
Student 3: “Hey you! What do you think you’re doing? Pick those papers up NOW!” (Looking at student ! n friends angrily.)
Student 1: “I’m not, we are not, picking up anything, because WE are the LAG- Litter A lot Group! And besides, you guys are NOT counselors.”
Student 2: “Therefore? We didnt ask you who you guys are. By the way, if you guys say you are the LAG, then WE are the NLG- No Litter Group.” (feeling pleased with herself.)
Student 1 & Friends: “HAHA! What a group. Please guys, get a life!” (They all chorused , stomping off, leaving the NLG bewildered.)
Scene 3
The “LAG” are in the corridor, throwing papers here and there.
Student 1: “Hey new member! As a custom that WE have, to show that you’re really IN this group, throw these papers on the floor as far as you can, and farther than any of us.” (smiling and showing off as the leader of the group.)
Student 4: all right if that’s how it is…(took one paper and started aiming…)
(all the LAG members didn’t realise that Ms Chin and a student councilor were approaching them and had been observing them from the very first moment)
Ms Chin:(gripped student 4 at her shoulders) excuse me young lady what are you intending to do?!and what about the rest?(looked at the other members)
Student 1:umm..umm..i..i..(stammered and frightened)
Ms Chin:To the detention room now! All of you!
(the LAG were punished and sent to detention)
*Councilor just stared with pride.
~SCENE~
Characters:
#Miss Chin #Councilor #Student 1 #Student 2
#Student 3 #Student 4
*** *** *** *** *** *** Scene 1
Student 1: (kid tries to throw rubbish into the bin, but missed. Instead of picking it up, he just walked away).
Councilor: (saw what happened) Ahem... Ahem… excuse me, could you please be nice and kindly pick up that rubbish on the floor?
Student 1: It’s not mine! Anyone could have just left it there. Why should I be the one picking it up ?(eyes rolling)
Councilor: Do not argue with me. I’m very sure you know you left it there!?(Staring curiously into the student’s eyes, waiting for the student to admit his fault)
Student 1: Sorry, but its really not mine. Since you portray yourself as a good councilor, why not YOU prove it to ME that you are really one??!!
Councilor: Oh! Did I??!!(a bit irritate) tell you what I’m tired of talking and I am really, really late for my lesson. For the sake of the cleanliness of OUR school, I WILL!(picks up the litter and quickly scribbled the students name)
Student 1: WHATEVER MISSY! (Student scornfully walks away)
Scene 2
Student 2: “OH! MY! GOD! Have you tried subway’s macadamia cookie?” (still chewing on the remains of the last cookie left in her mouth.)
Student 3: “No, why?” (giving a stare as if to say; what’s so cool about that?)
Student 2: “hmmm… apparently, I think it’s the best cookie I’ve ever tasted and you should try one, okay.”
Student 3: “Okayyyy, whatever you say, anyway, have you heard Lady Gaga’s latest song-Starstruck?”(She already knew the answer, her cookie friend hadn’t, all she knows now is macadamia cookies.)
Student 2: “hmmm… I’m not sure, maybe.” (she throws subway cookie bag into the bin.)
Student 3: “Your music life is so………” (suddenly sees student1 throw paper on the floor.)
Student 3: “Hey you! What do you think you’re doing? Pick those papers up NOW!” (Looking at student ! n friends angrily.)
Student 1: “I’m not, we are not, picking up anything, because WE are the LAG- Litter A lot Group! And besides, you guys are NOT counselors.”
Student 2: “Therefore? We didnt ask you who you guys are. By the way, if you guys say you are the LAG, then WE are the NLG- No Litter Group.” (feeling pleased with herself.)
Student 1 & Friends: “HAHA! What a group. Please guys, get a life!” (They all chorused , stomping off, leaving the NLG bewildered.)
Scene 3
The “LAG” are in the corridor, throwing papers here and there.
Student 1: “Hey new member! As a custom that WE have, to show that you’re really IN this group, throw these papers on the floor as far as you can, and farther than any of us.” (smiling and showing off as the leader of the group.)
Student 4: all right if that’s how it is…(took one paper and started aiming…)
(all the LAG members didn’t realise that Ms Chin and a student councilor were approaching them and had been observing them from the very first moment)
Ms Chin:(gripped student 4 at her shoulders) excuse me young lady what are you intending to do?!and what about the rest?(looked at the other members)
Student 1:umm..umm..i..i..(stammered and frightened)
Ms Chin:To the detention room now! All of you!
(the LAG were punished and sent to detention)
*Councilor just stared with pride.
~SCENE~
Eskimo Curlew
Eskimo Curlew
Now almost extinct, this shorebird once migrated in huge flocks between its remote breeding grounds on the taiga to its wintering grounds in Argentina. Each year, on its way there and back, it faced a slaughter in fall, winter, and spring by gunners who sometimes filled wagons with the birds.
By the beginning of the 1900s, the Eskimo curlew was considered extinct, but a few sightings in the past decades in Canada and the United States indicate the existence of a small breeding population. The breeding grounds are yet to be discovered in the North. The bird now has complete legal protection.
TEXAS STATUS
Endangered
U.S. STATUS
Endangered, Listed 3/11/1967
DESCRIPTION
The Eskimo curlew has warm brown feathers with white speckles. Cinnamon-colored feathers line the undersides of their wings. They have long, dark green, dark brown, or dark grey-blue legs and are about 12 inches in length.
LIFE HISTORY
In the mid-1800's, huge flocks of Eskimo Curlew migrated north from South America to their nesting grounds in the Alaskan and Canadian Arctic. Historic reports tell of the skies being full of Eskimo Curlews as they migrated through the prairie states and provinces. One historic report describes a single flock feeding in Nebraska that was said to have covered 40 to 50 acres of ground. During migration, they fed on grasshoppers and other insects on the grasslands of the central United States.
Between 1870 and 1890, unrestricted hunting rapidly reduced populations of Eskimo Curlew. Considered very good to eat, the birds were killed by thousands of market hunters, just as the Passenger Pigeon had been years earlier. The curlew's lack of fear and habit of traveling in large flocks made it an easy target.
HABITAT
Arctic tundra and open grasslands provide habitat for Eskimo curlews.
DISTRIBUTION
Eskimo curlews migrate from breeding grounds in the Arctic tundra through the North American prairies to wintering grounds on the Pampas grasslands of Argentina.
OTHER
In 1916, nongame bird hunting in the United States was stopped by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, but the Eskimo Curlew did not recover. Conversion of native grasslands to cropland, in the South American wintering area and along the migration route through the tall grass prairies of the United States, is thought to be the reason for the birds' failure to recover.
Now almost extinct, this shorebird once migrated in huge flocks between its remote breeding grounds on the taiga to its wintering grounds in Argentina. Each year, on its way there and back, it faced a slaughter in fall, winter, and spring by gunners who sometimes filled wagons with the birds.
By the beginning of the 1900s, the Eskimo curlew was considered extinct, but a few sightings in the past decades in Canada and the United States indicate the existence of a small breeding population. The breeding grounds are yet to be discovered in the North. The bird now has complete legal protection.
TEXAS STATUS
Endangered
U.S. STATUS
Endangered, Listed 3/11/1967
DESCRIPTION
The Eskimo curlew has warm brown feathers with white speckles. Cinnamon-colored feathers line the undersides of their wings. They have long, dark green, dark brown, or dark grey-blue legs and are about 12 inches in length.
LIFE HISTORY
In the mid-1800's, huge flocks of Eskimo Curlew migrated north from South America to their nesting grounds in the Alaskan and Canadian Arctic. Historic reports tell of the skies being full of Eskimo Curlews as they migrated through the prairie states and provinces. One historic report describes a single flock feeding in Nebraska that was said to have covered 40 to 50 acres of ground. During migration, they fed on grasshoppers and other insects on the grasslands of the central United States.
Between 1870 and 1890, unrestricted hunting rapidly reduced populations of Eskimo Curlew. Considered very good to eat, the birds were killed by thousands of market hunters, just as the Passenger Pigeon had been years earlier. The curlew's lack of fear and habit of traveling in large flocks made it an easy target.
HABITAT
Arctic tundra and open grasslands provide habitat for Eskimo curlews.
DISTRIBUTION
Eskimo curlews migrate from breeding grounds in the Arctic tundra through the North American prairies to wintering grounds on the Pampas grasslands of Argentina.
OTHER
In 1916, nongame bird hunting in the United States was stopped by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, but the Eskimo Curlew did not recover. Conversion of native grasslands to cropland, in the South American wintering area and along the migration route through the tall grass prairies of the United States, is thought to be the reason for the birds' failure to recover.
Friday, July 10, 2009
A welcome back home:)
helloooooooooooooooooooo.. hahaha. itve been so long since id bloged. its not on purpose okay. its just tat everything seems preety boring... till now. i was preety busy too. lots of things to do u noe?! projects, assignments,homeworks and the Mid Year Exams!!! im so glad its over. by the way, i passed my maths!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! u may think im insane but hell ya i dont care! id never passed my maths exams or test except for PSLE and of course this years MYE!!!!!!!!!!!! i have to tell u that im really proud of myself and that you have to too. i was one of the most improved students too. anyway i have to get going right now so take care, wish u all the best for your future endeavour and... SAYONARAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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