Bukit Timah trail organized by the Temasek Rural Exploring Enthusiasts with emphasis on reminding the fall of Singapore to the Japanese, 75 years ago, and the objectives in Bukit Timah and surrounding locality were captured. Fortified with probably several hidden Japanese cells & dug-outs that were used for own political interest….yet to be discovered. The height of the hike was reaching the top of Bukit Timah hill which stands at 163 metres above mean sea level.
Bukit Timah is an area in Singapore and a hill in that area. Bukit Timah Hill stands at an altitude of 163.63 metres and is the highest point in the city-state of Singapore. According to one source, it has nothing to do with tin. The original Malay name for the hill was Bukit Temak, meaning “hill of the temak trees”, referring to pokok temak, a tree that grew abundantly on the slopes of the hill. Some say that timah is an abbreviation of Fatimah, a popular Malay girl’s name. Bukit Timah Railway Station was a railway station once upon a time (now a conserved recreational building) and crossing loop in Singapore, owned by Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM), the main railway operator in Malaysia. The transit station will be closed this March for refurbishment.
After breaching the Jurong-Kranji defence line, the road to Bukit Timah was clear. It held the Allies’ main food, fuel and water supplies.
General Tomoyuki Yamashita had launched his attack on Singapore knowing that he was outnumbered, as reflected in his admission reproduced below:
“My attack on Singapore was a bluff, a bluff that worked. I had 30,000 men and was outnumbered by more than three to one. I knew that if I had to fight long for Singapore I would be beaten. That is why the surrender had to be at once.”
The Japanese army was also wanting of food, water and ammunition, with soldiers restricted to 100 rounds per man, per day.
As a result, it became of paramount importance for both Japanese and Allied forces.
Combat in Kranji was particularly terrible — soldiers engaged in hand-to-hand combat as well as bayonet charges. Japanese tanks were also mobilized for the first time, having been towed across the repaired Causeway.
Bukit Timah Hill eventually fell to the Japanese on 11 Feb after fierce fighting and heavy casualties on both sides.
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Article by Sarafian @ Tuah Bugis and Saniroz