Logo of the Reflections @ Bukit Chandu (Opium Hill)
As we were waiting for Nathainel's arrival at the
Pasir Panjang Mass Rapid Transit Station, Officer Wen Wei
suddenly popped a question for us. He asked us if we have been or heard about
the Reflections at Bukit Chandu before. All our replies we negative. After
crossing to the opposite side of the road using the over-head bridge, we made a
left turn at Pasir Panjang Road to Pepys Road, the only route up to the
Reflections. We started to feel that the steepness of the road was slowing
increasing while we were walking up. While, some Boys were complaining about the
steepness of the road, some were discussing about how the fiercest and last significant battle took place at such a location! Before
reaching our destination, we were also required to overcome the steepness of the
flight of stairs. Our efforts had finally paid off when we reached the top of
the hill where we saw a bungalow-like building which was the Reflections at
Bukit Chandu.
We
had the feeling of satisfaction when we entered the well air-conditioning museum
– not forgetting that we are on a Total Defence course. Unfortunately, we did
not managed to get a tour guide, so we had the freedom to tour ourselves! At
the first floor, we had the chance to watch two short clips in detail and in sequence
how the Japanese invaded Singapore. Most of the soldiers protecting Bukit
Chandu where young and untried soldiers who only underwent less than 10 days of
military training. On the second floor, surprisingly there was another theater
on the recounts of the fall of Bukit Chandu. There were headsets for us to put
on, to increase the reality of the actual scenes which had happened here in
Bukit Chandu. In the middle of the video screening, there was a part of the
fighting scene when the Malay Regiment “C” Company and the remnants from the 1st
and 2nd Battalions engaged in one of the fiercest battles fought in Singapore,
some Malaya soldiers which have used up all their ammos, resorted to a
hand-to-hand combat against the Japanese troops which was well geared up – all only
to defend this hill for Singapore.
They had showed Heroism.
Very sorry for the very late post ):
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