From Singapore to Syonan-to: 1941 - 1945   Tags: history, japanese occupation, singapore, world war ii  

This resource guide aims to provide anyone interested in the Japanese Occupation of Singapore, a list of materials available from the Lee Kong Chian Reference Library.

Contents:

• Outbreak of war
• Fall of Singapore
• Life during the Occupation
• Newspapers during the war
• Aftermath of the war
• War memories
• War fiction
• Audio-visual materials
• Do you know?
• Accessing the library's resources

"We meet not to rekindle old fires of hatred, nor to seek settlements for blood debts. We meet to remember the men and women who were the hapless victims of one of the fires of history. …

This piece of concrete commemorates an experience which, in spite of its horrors, served as catalyst in building a nation out of the young and unestablished community of diverse immigrants. We suffered together. It told us that we share a common destiny. And it is through sharing such common experiences that the feeling of living and being one community is established.

If today as we remember these lessons of the past, we strengthen our resolve and determination to make our future more secure then these men and women for whom we mourn would not have died in vain." ¹

[1] National Archives of Singapore. (1967). Prime Minister's speech at the unveiling ceremony of memorial to civilian victims of Japanese Occupation on 15th February, 1967. Retrieved January 27, 2012 from http://stars.nhb.gov.sg/stars/tmp/lky19670215.pdf

Originally compiled by the National Library in 1992 to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the Fall of Singapore, From Singapore to Syonan-to: 1941 - 1945¹ is a select bibliography of titles available at the National Library. Since 1992, new titles have been published on this tragic phase of Singapore's history, and hence, this resource guide aims to provide an updated bibliography.

Besides books, newspapers and audio-visual materials have also been included. The titles have been selected and arranged to cover the different phases of the war in Singapore - from the outbreak of hostilities in December 1941 and the fall of Singapore, followed by the period of the Japanese Occupation, to the sudden end of World War II (WWII) in August 1945 and its aftermath.

It has been more than six decades since the end of WWII. Memories have faded, and there are few living survivors in relentlessly progressive Singapore. However, the Japanese Occupation is a pivotal part of Singapore’s history. The younger generation needs to know that their ancestors once suffered the brutality and whims of the enemy, that Singaporeans have starved and fought and died, that all we enjoy now are built on the ruins of a once devastated country. The Japanese Occupation was also a time of political awakening, which eventually led to the notion of independence and nationhood.

This guide not only aims to provide an immersive list of resources on the Japanese Occupation, it also aims to show how war impacts upon every single person. By doing our utmost to preserve such precious memories, it is hoped that Singaporeans will always remember that modern Singapore is built on the blood and courage of our forefathers.

This annotated bibliography arranges the entries alphabetically by title, followed by the author’s name. The call number is also included for each entry to indicate where the title is to be found. To view the library catalogue record, click on the title of the book.

If you have any questions related to the topic, please feel free to contact us at ref@nlb.gov.sg. We will try our best to provide answers or point you to relevant resources where applicable.

Thanks for letting us know more!

In what capacity do you use this guide?