How did Singapore change during the Japanese attack on Singapore?

Japanese Occupation has brought along much harm to Singapore socially. After the Japanese had taken over of Singapore, large numbers of people from other conquered countries were being brought to Singapore to do labour. Within an extremely short period of time, the population in Singapore grew drastically. Housing and food soon became a huge problem as the citizens were unable to even get a place to live. With an increased number of people in Singapore, food soon became a large problem as Singapore could not even sustain itself with food without trading, before the war had started. Therefore brought about suffering among the citizens.

The Japanese occupation also allowed the communists to gain opportunity as there was always a constant fight for the island to become communists and this was masked behind trying to help the country gain independence from its colonial masters. This was rather successful since removing their colonial masters was something that the citizens wanted. The situation was then unstable and the citizens was unhappy with what they have, thus making the opportunity for the communists to strike.

The country at that point of time also experienced an economic recession because of the war. The ports in Singapore had been bombed by the Japanese; therefore all trade had broken down, resulting in Singapore losing its main source of revenue. All economic had also stop as a result and there were no other way to make money apart from trading. The economy of Singapore had come to a standstill, thus Singapore began suffering from an economic recession.

Apart from the harm that the Japanese occupation has brought, there were also benefits from the Japanese Occupation. Firstly, the Japanese Occupation has enabled the Singaporeans to be united as one and to have common identity and regard Singapore as their home, a home that they have to protect together. The war had brought the different religion together in harmony, and it had made Singaporeans willing to give everything they had for the country. The war had therefore helped Singapore become united and gained the idea that ‘All for one and one for all’.

The war had resulted in Singaporeans to question the ability of the British to rule Singapore. They had seen for themselves that the British were not there for the Singaporeans when they needed them to protect them and if the British was not there to protect them, what are they for? Therefore, they had lost confidence in the British and slowly become more interested in commanding their own destiny and future ,and felt that if they ruled Singapore themselves; they can do better than the British. They also placed all the blame for the poor conditions on the British. The war had also stirred up the interest in Politics as more Singaporeans bean standing up, forming political parties to challenge the British after the war. The Singaporeans after the war badly wanted Independence, an important decision that was impacted by the Japanese Occupation

Sources:http://theknowledgecafeteria.wordpress.com/2012/09/15/impacts-of-japanese-occupation/

Three reasons why the British fail to stop the Japanese attack on Singapore

1. The coordination between the troops and the Air force contingent in the region was poor, while the ground troops, particularly conscripts that came from India, lacked training and were not equipped properly. High ranking British officers, also lacked training in jungle warfare. In fact, some of them did not even considered that they needed to know how to conduct a war in the Malayan jungles, as indicated by some of their frustrated complaints that there was no place for them to train as the jungle was too big and it was bothering them, not allowing them to have enough training, the defense against the invasion down the Malayan peninsula was inadequate. There was also not enough food to feed the people thus the lack of food rationing lead to Singapore unpreparedness for the attack. "The water supply, Simson, said,would not last another 24 hours. The food supplies，he was told, were expected to last another few days while ammunition was running low and the only petrol left was that in the fuel tanks of vehicles." and Percival drafted his last message to Wavell: 'Owning to losses from enemy action water petrol food and ammunition practically finished. Unable therefore continue the fight any longer. All ranks have done their best and grateful for your help.'  from the book supports that British wasn't able continue fighting with the Japanese thus in the end they had surrender Singapore to the Japanese.
2. "The immense bureaucracy and the red tape of the civil administration and their lack of willingness to prepare fully for war that led to the huge suffering of the local population and the total unpreparedness for the Japanese bombing and attacks" shows that the British was not prepared for the attack from the Japanese, risking the lives of soldiers and citizens because of their unpreparedness therefore also failing to stop the attack upon Singapore
3. There were accidents where Japanese troops had captured British soldiers and actually sewed their penises to their lips before hanging them in trees where Allied patrols would find them; signs on their necks read "he took a long time to die". These displays were meant to and had successfully to demoralize Allied soldiers. "On the streets, large numbers of exhausted and battle-weary troops filled the city, their faces covered the mud, soot and grime, their bodies unwashed for weeks, their will to fight completely destroyed." from the book supports that the British had tried their best to fight but they had lost their hope and faith that they would succeed.

Sikh prisoners executed by Japanese troops, Malaya, circa Dec 1941-Feb 1942

British Army Lieutenant General Arthur Percival and his party carrying the United Kingdom flag on their way to surrender Singapore to the Japanese, 15 Feb 1942

http://ww2db.com/battle_spec.php?battle_id=47
Quotes from book: Singapore at War

Why Singapore was called the 'impregnable fortress' of the British Empire in the East (Before WWII)

Different and large amounts of shore guns for defense, deep Harbour for the stationing of Capitol Ships like cruisers and battleships,a large detachment of soldiers for defense against invaders, tough terrain. "Seven acres at the top of the hill were levelled and seven 68-pound guns were mounted in the field redoubts on the southern end, facing the Straits. Eventually, more that 17 pieces of artillery were mounted. Many other forts and batteries set up to defend the Straits and Singapore town.' showing that Singapore had many equipment to defend itself and that it has very good defense from ' the military forces on the island had been reinforced with the decision to build a great naval base in Singapore. It was seen in reports as "the most secure base south of Hong Kong" and its hinderland was more firmly under British control than Hong Kong's' and 'The British strategy to defend Singapore meant that there was a need for a significant number of soldiers, airmen and sailors to fully defend the newly built base and numbers were gradually increased in the 1930s.' thus being considered as well defended for possible enemy attacks.


Source: Singapore at War