Individual reflection

CHAN JOEY (02)

I learnt that to have a peaceful and secure country, mindset is very important and everyone should also play their part. Soldiers should always be ready to fight for their country and homeland, they should also be willing to sacrifice themselves for the country. Soldiers should train well and protect the country when there is a war, students should study well and work for the country when they grow older, neighbours should respect and help each other, people using internet should be responsible for what they say and avoid offensive comments. Just like Lim Bo Seng, he did not give out the names of the other members of Force 136 despite being tortured, his mindset and determination is admirable. He also did his part as the leader of Force 136 by not betraying the group.

I also learnt that determination and humbleness is important when responding in time of crisis. Without determination, we will not be able to succeed in everything we do because we will give up whenever things get tough and does not go as smoothly as planned. During World War II, the reason why we fell to the Japanese was because the British was not humble and thought that the Japanese will not be able to attack from the North because it was covered with dense jungle, so their defense was all built facing the sea and left the North almost defenseless. Another reason was because the British were not determined enough to fight the Japanese. The soldiers did not have the morale to fight until the end and wanted to surrender after suffering heavy casualties from a fight on February 13. They neglected the fact that not only did they suffer heavy casualties, the Japanese did as well. If they had the determination to continue fighting, the Japanese's resources will also run out and they will also have to surrender in the end.

CLAIRA NG (04)

I learnt that understanding between different races is very important for a country to be peaceful internally. If there is understanding and sensitivity between different races, race riots can be avoided. There were race riots in the past such as the Maria Hertogh Riot, because there was a lack of sensitivity between the Westerners and the Malays. I have also learnt that everyone has to be responsible so that there will be no conflicts. People tend to express their views on the Internet a lot, however, some people tend to do that without giving it much thought. Small little comments may also cause a big uproar due to certain matters. Hence, people must think twice and be responsible for their comments on the Internet. 

I learnt that having discernment and being determined is the way to respond in times of crisis. During the learning journey, I have learnt that Lim Bo Seng showed discernment by not betraying his Force 136 members. Although he was badly tortured, he did not reveal the names of the other Force 136 members, unlike Lai Teck and a few other members who betrayed Force 136. Elizabeth Choy was determined to help others even through she knew the risk involved. These war heroes' state of mind are admirable and are very good role models. During times of crisis, everyone should help each other and not be selfish. 

GWEN WONG (11)

I learnt that many people have actually worked very hard to keep our country peaceful during the Japanese Occupation , hence we must learn to cherish the country we live in now. At first, i only knew of a few heroes who helped protected Singapore during the Japanese Occupation, it was only through this Learning Journey that I realised that there were many other people who also helped to protect Singapore during the World War 2. From then I realised that if everyone worked together, protecting Singapore would be much easier and Singapore can continue to be a secure country.   I have also learnt that it takes bravery to stand up and help to protect Singapore after learning about the torturous road those war heroes had endured during the Japanese Occupation at the Changi Museum. 

  

One value that I have learnt during the Learning Journey is that everyone should help out together when responding in times of crisis. one example is from the art piece "Two Malarias and a Cholera" displayed in the Changi museum, which show the sick prisoners-of-war helping to carry each other so that all of them can receive medical attention. During the Japanese Occupation, everyone also helped out so that radios could be smuggled in to allow other people to listen to information about the war at their hometown.

TAN YI ZHEN (36)

Through this trip, i have learnt firstly, more information about World War 2 in Singapore, secondly, how the people felt about their problems then, such as not having enough food and feeling inferior to the Japanese. Thirdly, how did they manage to keep positive and overcome all of their challenges.

This learning journey has also affected my view about what is needed to have a secure and peaceful country.  If we want a safe country, we cannot just rely on the government and the Civil Defense Force or the workforce, even the smallest people can make a difference, for example, a student could study hard and help the country in the future, the public, including people using internet, could prevent making unnecessary comments in the internet. Everyone plays a part in keeping our country safe and sound, Singapore is a harmonious country and we should keep it that way.

This learning journey also taught me one value as in how to respond to times of crisis, it is to stay determined and strong. Even though staying determined cant do anything to help us with survival but dealing with this, a good state of mind would. For example, war heroes and heroins like Lim Bo Seng and Elizabeth Choy suffered much torture and pain but they stayed persistent in helping others. Singapore may not be the same as now without these people's contribution and they are good role models to follow when it comes to staying determined in times of crisis. 

Most importantly, i have gained more understanding and everyone has to do their part in keeping our country unified.

GENEVIEVE TNG (38)

I learnt that in order to have a secure and peaceful country, the country must have a strong defense force to ensure the safety of the citizens as well as fighting the enemies if a war broke out. The soldiers of the army must also be well-trained, experienced, courageous, capable and well-equipped with good weapons to defeat the enemy and protect their homeland. The government and the army should also work closely together to think of good war strategies to prevent the country from falling into the hands of the enemies. Citizens of the country can also play their part in defending the country too by joining the civil defense force when they grow up after studying hard. They should also help out with one another and get together no matter if there is a crisis.

I have also learnt that adamancy and indomitable are important. For example, war hero Lim Bo Seng did not give the names of the people, the members of force 136 who fought the Japanese with him although he was tortured. It shows that he was a loyal person. Another example is Elizabeth Choy, the war heroine who refused to confess even if she was subjected to torture. They are not subdued or daunted by the Japanese as they have the indomitable spirits.

One value I have learnt about responding in times of crisis is to not be complacent. When Singapore was under the British and Japan started attacking Asia, the citizens of Singapore were confident that the Japanese would not defeat the British and they thought Singapore was an ‘impregnable fortress’ too as they thought Singapore was protected from the north and there were bombers, cannons and warships in the vincinity. However, the 2 warships, the HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse were destroyed by the Japanese. The British had also assumed that the Japanese army, airforce and navy were all inferior and did not expect the Japanese to enter Singapore through the jungles of Malaya by cycling as they believed that the jungles were barriers and were difficult to penetrate. They also did not think the Japanese would attack from the north of Singapore, hence the British were not well-prepared for a landward attack from the Japanese. Eventually, Singapore fell to the Japanese as the British surrendered.