The Battle of Bukit Batok

Eighty years ago, Singapore was invaded by Imperial Japan in World War Two on 8th Feb 1942. In an eight day push to conquer the city, several battles took place between the allied British forces against the Imperial Japanese Army at places like Sarimbun, Tengah, Bukit Timah, Pasir Panjang and Mt Pleasant.
One of the lesser known battle took place at West Bukit Timah, the Battle of Bukit Batok, where in just two days, more than 1,000 allied British soldiers lost their lives. Through a series of running firefights to being ambushed, an entire British Indian brigade was annihilated.
This is my retelling of the battle that occurred on 10th -11th Feb 1942.
Subtitles are available.
For those unused to my leisurely pace of narration might want to set playback speed to 1.25x.
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[@Philatherapist]

As a longtime resident of Bukit Batok and Bukit Timah , I can visualise the locations / positions as it is being narrated and deeply appreciated on the making of this video.My thoughts and prayers to the fallen soldiers of both sides and may their souls rest in peace.

[@dufreversi42]

Thank you. Your story gels with my 87 year old father’s story that the fiercest fighting actually took place at Bukit Batok. My generation had the impression that heavy fighting took place at Bukit Timah hill as per secondary school textbooks just wrote “Bukit Timah area”. But my father quickly corrected me that it is not there that the fiercest fighting took place but at the area around Bukit Batok, near the present day Bukit Batok Nature Reserve and around it. According to my father, there weren’t any fighting at the present day Bukit Timah Hill. Really very educational video that I am sure to many people who thought the location of heavy fighting is at present day Bukit Timah Hill itself. This video proved that my father is right after all! My father also said that there was an Australian regiment stationed at present day Pheonix residence near Teck Whye about 600 soldiers. They were targetted by Japanese air raids and many many of them died there.

[@JamesTann]

Good of your father to get his history right. Yes, the myth that 'Bukit Timah' meant Bukit Timah Hill has persisted so long that it's difficult to correct the misconception today, and a heritage marker placed there at the foothill doesn't help to dispel that myth as well, just as the Kranji-Jurong heritage marker being placed near Boon Lay also adds to more misconceptions of the actual places where the battles occured. The Phoenix Residence area will actually be covered in my next video which I am still working on. It was a British unit, the Plymouth Argylls, that fought the Japanese on that surrounding hill, and yes, they were bombarded by air strikes ahead of the Japanese tanks that would see their first tank action in Singapore just there. Please look out for my next war video.

[@ConradSNIPER]

Salute

[@dufreversi42]

@@JamesTann Thanks James, this is so very interesting. I will look out for the next video

[@tangsweekeng8320]

James, your amazing splendid personally produced self- initiated documentary is simply superb, with great patient effort researching from all sources, archives, and war cameramen's footages. And your painstaking tracing of past and superimposed present locations of the WW2 battlesite roads and terrain over the are very enlightening. You ought to be given an award for your highly commendable magnificent monumental production of a rare coverage of Singapore's WW2 history. In my secondary school days, I had actually hiked all over that Jurong, Bulim & Brickworks then wilderness area, for my First Class Scout hiking test segment, without realizing the actions and tragedies that befell the defenders and invaders in the fight for Bt Batok & Bt Timah. Hope your excellent production'd be televised for the benefit of all Singapore.

[@jg5234]

Wow I am actually living in the bald hill area and my flat is in one of the pictures. It is surreal to think 80 years after such tragic loss of lives, here I am watching the history of the area on my phone. Hits really close to home, literally and figuratively. Can't help but feel sad for all those who lost their lives. Thanks James for this amazing video and Including pictures of the area in present time. It really changes how I view my daily commute. Will say a prayer the next time I pass by 🙏

[@shineon4]

I'm a foreigner who lived 2 years in Bukit Batok, thank you very much for this very interesting documentary!

[@aurorabreeze]

Unimaginable yet very meaningful. This video is priceless for my daughter and future generations. From a Bukit Gombak resident. My 11 year old daughter finally learned that peace cannot be taken for granted.

[@temasek65]

Mashallah, Indian Brigades! Once they defended Singapore! Today many Indian workers had contributed to our years of infrastructure construction.

[@teabie]

I wanted to drop a comment to say thank you for all the time and effort you'd put in for the video! As a Singaporean, this was infinitely more interesting and informative than my history classes back in the 90s. It also reminds us how peace comes at such a high price.

[@nazmimohamed6679]

Thank you, James. This is the best-detailed battle in Bukit Timah.

[@zedvirgo1129]

Brilliant. Your description of the Battle of Bukit Batok is so precise and easy to understand. I was so engrossed watching this video. Looking forward to more videos from you on the other battles that took place in 1942.

[@krollpeter]

May I join? I enjoyed the video tremendously, it is as interesting and well done document! 12000 against 1500 men, that had to be a disaster. I live in the Chun Tin Rd area, drive through the Sleepy Valley all so often. It feels a bit awkward many these old place with their names have been eradicated, not carefully integrated into the modern life, where possible. It is no wonder this battle is lesser known. But I guess that's the price of progress. It seems Bukit Batok was an utterly beautiful piece of nature.

[@lychan2366]

Thank you for an interesting narrative. From 25th IJA's perspective, Bukit Batok was a stepping stone to the capture of vital Bukit Timah. This was facilitated by effective Japanese intelligence on British and allied dispositions, defence fortifications and tactics. Because of substantial munitions, supplies and the commanding heights overlooking the city, Bukit Timah Hill became strategic to IJA. From the hill, it was a matter of time that IJA troops seized MacRitchie Reservoir, although they encountered fierce resistance at Adam Park. Compounded by water pipes that has been punctured by artillery and air bombardment, it was a matter of time that depleting supplies of water, (ammunition and other essential supplies) prompted LTG Percival and his senior commanders to make that fateful decision in the Battle Box of Fort Canning Hill to surrender Singapore to Japan. On this 80th anniversary of the fall of Singapore, may we remember the thousands of British, allied and native men and women who gave their lives in defence of Malaya (including Singapore) from tyranny and oppression. The price of freedom is eternal vigilance. Lest we forget.

[@prakashkrgnair]

Thank you for your effort in putting this video together. While I was already familiar with aspects of this particular battle, the way you narrated the sequence of events made it very interesting. What I truly found compelling was how you mapped the battle sites to their corresponding present-day sites. As some of the other commentators have mentioned, if you happen to live in a flat in Bukit Batok now, you have to think about the blood that was spilt trying to protect the piece of land on which your block now stands.

[@dl703]

Appreciate your retelling of this piece of important history at Bukit Timah/ Batok. Being a BT boy who grew up here, this piece of documentary is gave me an idea what happened before the buildings went up. Thank you!

[@ConradSNIPER]

Wow..... 😭😭😭 what a happening. 😭😭😭what a hotbed. Our allied ; British, Aussies & Indians... A touching & scary nostalgic experience

[@mazhsar2299]

Great work James! This should be put forth in our schools to educate the young generation that peace is not to be taken for granted and how Singapore was fiercely defended.

[@mtt6709]

Thank you James, this is precious history that most Singaporeans are ignorant of.

[@kiongyeo7172]

Wonderful piece of history and I only know about it today after watching your video! And I am 62 years old. This should be compulsory history lesson for all schools in Singapore to ensure that everyone knows what national defence is all about. Thank you James Tann.

[@aliogoi3187]

Best account of the battle. Lots of learning here. The references to current maps and landmarks make the whole account alive. You deserve a medal for this!!!

[@MrHasherd]

It’s important that we do not forget our recent history. Thanks and well done James.

[@umbrage85]

Hi James, thank you for putting this together. I can only imagine the work you did to piece the historical information & data together.. I now able to better appreciate the historical significance of my neighborhood too.

[@janchow1470]

Thank you Uncle James. Heard from my fellow guide friend Chris (war themed tours) of your passion. It is apparent here and I totally enjoyed it so much so it felt like a movie.

[@believe88]

i love listening stories from a history buff. Even though i have bad memory, its really good to learn about our history

[@typhoonboy1723]

Thank you James for making this clip. We know more about the War of the Roses then about our own history and those who fought and died for us.

[@revamusicgroup]

The most detailed phase by phase account ive ever seen.. please do more on the battle of singapore for our generation to come…. 45min long but it kept me glued to the screen. Awesome job!!

[@K483100]

Simply amazing. I don't usually comment on videos but this must be an exception. This is a wonderful documentary and very detailed. Loved every second of it.

[@alanwatson7359]

Thank you for this. It gives significance to all of SEA battles and for those that have fallen.I hope we can tell our children.

[@GarySYTan]

Absolutely amazing video, so educational and true lesson in history of the the Japanese Invasion of Singapore! I used to live in Eng Kong Park for many years between 1970-1980 and played soccer in the Eng Kong Park garden where the very remains of the aussie soldiers were found. I didnt know then and only found out now! I remember then the end of Toh Tuck Road was a war cemetery which remained there till late 1970s. Thank you James!

[@mrstohlishan7337]

WOW! A masterpiece and a definite educational resource for both teachers and students!

[@JamesTann]

Thank you. If you're an educator, pls help to share the link and video with your fellow educators and students. Don't forget to watch my other videos on the Battle of Choa Chu Kang, Dairy Farm and Bukit Timah.

[@JoeBTL]

Thank you James for a very informative and painstakingly produced video. We are now a pround nation holding our own destiny in our hands. This video makes me realized that thousands of British, Indian, Aussie and other allied troops have died for Singapore in WW2, a land that has little or no connection to them. We should remember and be appreciative of this part of our history.

[@joncooper3297]

Well Done James - this is an excellent piece of work and very well researched. This is great example of how the details of such engagements can be dug out of the archives and placed into the modern landscape.

[@mmerkz07]

Keep it up, bro.. i watched the whole video. I m a history enthusiast so this vid is very interesting, something which was not told before. Thanks ! :)

[@md.faddly8995]

Thank you for sharing, your documentary changed the way I look at these places, what a history and lesson…

[@shirley.tangcw]

Hi Mr Tann. Chanced upon this video while looking up some old SG history. I have stayed in Bukit Batok for 39 years but I didn't know about its history. This video really is really informative! Thank you for making this video.

[@Zincgton]

Remarkable documentary! I enjoy looking at past events and trying to locate them in current context. You did exactly that and now I can retrace these events as I visit these places. All the names of these places you have mentioned come alive ! You deserve much accolade on what you have done. It is a very professional piece of work.

[@rodneyf.photos]

incidentally, i just re-watched "The Price of Peace". Thanks for this!

[@g00nther]

Thanks for this. This is a real labour of love. I visited Singapore in 2019 (the before times 😄) and went to the BattleBox Museum. It was great. The guides did a very good job. I picked up a copy of The Battle for Singapore there. I still haven't read it. It's right in front of me on my shelf as I type this. I'll pick it up later this evening.

[@birdsinacity8877]

A video worth watching multiple times by locals living here now if keen to learn more. I appreciate all the linkages made between the landmarks, then and now. War is horrible.

[@vato7oco]

Its not easy to make this kinda videos..Thank you for making us remembering the fallen heroes that is not always mentioned..

[@saneasmydog7120]

Great piece of documentary work! Makes one wonder and appreciate the violent but rich history that these places once represented

[@caleblin3498]

Awesome documentary! As a resident of Bukit Batok, it was doubly fascinating learning about WW2 history in this area of Singapore

[@MrChleong]

Thank you James for such detail accounts about the battle of Singapore. Kudos to you for referencing in your presentation between the old and new Singapore! I salute you for your work!

[@francisdavid9707]

Excellent history !! Very comprehensive and detailed. As a Singaporean l feel sad to have surrendered to the Japanese then but at the same time immensely proud how far we have come. Son of Singapore born 1962…

[@ehseahla]

Thank you for the well thought out presentation and thorough research. As a boy who was born 50 years after the Japanese invasion, I've passed through many of the places mentioned without knowing the history of the area; this video has definitely given me a new perspective of the region. Appreciate your effort in this story telling, encik Tann!

[@balloooom]

Super informative, video incredibly well made!! Would love to see your take on the entire Battle of Singapore...know that might be a tall task, but we rarely get to learn about this key part of our history, and even if we do find primary sources, almost never see it laid out on our geography like this. Please know that if you do, you're preserving really valuable history for future generations. From a Singaporean history lover to another, thank you for your work!

[@lawrenzhuang9748]

Excellent description of the battle in Singapore, the best and most detailed one that I have read so far. Things could have turned out differently had the British launched Operations Matador before the Japanese landed in Northern Malaya.

[@cliftonaurelius3060]

I got chills from this. Quality video!

[@philiptan1976]

Fascinating video to watch even for a non-history buff. Very accurate description with visual facts to point out the locations. You have just gained a new subscriber.

[@amazingwalker7837]

Thank you for this amazing video James.

[@jaysonlee8625]

Well researched well produced and well narrated! I love how you added the views from today. It really helps us picture how the battles enfolded.

[@kumwengmak9900]

James, Thanks for this great video! You must have spent much time and effort on the research to compile the contents, being a resident in this neighborhood, I really appreciate this video clip. I hope you can make a video clip focus on the lives and feeling of the faced local people at that time, just before the Japanese invasion and during the Japanese occupation and how they endure those hard times.

[@dirtylint]

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 so well done in documenting this event. thank you 🙏🏻

[@andrewtay894]

Thank you for this documentary. It is so well done!

[@shahhamzah8738]

Tq for this beautifully made video. As a resident who grew up here and heard so much about what happened during WWII, ur video had vividly described and illustrated the war stories told. I pass by these historical landmarks on a daily basis without realizing nor knowing of the exact locations. It made us realize of how fortunate we are. Kudos to you again👏👏👏🤝🤝🤝

[@mjlee5617]

Thank you James. I love this.

[@ykit86]

Thank you, sir. I really enjoyed this informative video. Thank you for the time and effort documenting an important piece of Singapore’s history and juxtaposing the sites to today’s locations for our reference.

[@scottie8722]

Absolutely fantastic documentary James. Thank You for such a well explained and visual piece of history.

[@donaldduck4888]

This is just amazing. Total kudos James!

[@lauchoonsam2270]

Great work James. Well done. Thanks for sharing

[@roystonteo8108]

It is excellent work Sir!!! Many thanks for the creation. Impressive!😄😄

[@benjamingasper1396]

Hello Mr.Tann, just came across this video. My compliments to you, sir on a very brilliant, comprehensive and informative piece of work. I really like the way you used the actual maps and superimposed that with the animation of the movement of the military units. Plus that of comparing old historical photos to the present day location. Two thumbs up! 👍👍

[@JamesTann]

Thank you for watching.

[@cytan71]

Very informative. I appreciate you showing where these places are today.

[@pamsyshow]

Thank you for making such interesting video. I’ve learned a lot

[@compaqowner251079]

Thank u Mr James. Its very informative. U have done an impressive research here. Subscribed.

[@compounding999]

Excellent and good job! I enjoyed this very much

[@chanmk28]

wow, very detail information and history. now it makes me think when passby that area. pls keep it up.

[@obiwan88]

First thing first, you should get someone to teach you how to do your sound. My speaker was almost destroyed by the opening sequence. Your intentions are definitely praise worthy, nothing to fault there, thank you for sharing this rarely shared part of Singapore's darkness hours. Do hope you would make a revised version, at least fixing the opening sequence sound. Not sure how many speakers are damaged so far... Stay safe and healthy Mr Tann.

[@JamesTann]

Thanks for the feedback on the audio. I had 2 others who had similar bad response from their notebooks. I guess it may be due the quality of the audio chip and speakers. I did not have any issues with the sound playback on my mac or TV. Sorry to all if the audio had not come across correctly on your machines.

[@razzrul5838]

Well done on the coverage about the WW2 in Singapore. I'm really into History when its about Wars. The Japanese ( IJA ) had a prior knowledge about Singapore Blunders. Before Thailand gave a safe passage for IJA, The Germans sank British Warships that carried sensitive documents about the Weakness in Singapore defenses ( Not to be mistaken about the sinking of Prince of Wales and the repulse) . they were handed to their Japanese counterparts around December 1941. That's why they landed at Serimbun which is less defended than Ubin. Looking forward to more WW2 Videos! keep up the good work sir!

[@elijahlwh9484]

Good work done, very details description of the many area battles of the Battle for Singapore which was untold to us over our history book. I’ve learned a great deal from this video as I’m residing at Yew Tee which is almost at the centre of this battle, but was unknown to me due to lacking of information. Thank you James, keep up the good work. I give you 5 stars ⭐️.. R

[@thpyle]

An excellent presentation, one of the best I have seen on the Japanese invasion of Singapore. Well done!

[@kennethcoomber1484]

Thank you James for another fine video.

[@racheltan4258]

Brilliant work. Thank you for making history come alive.

[@tonyodempsey6755]

Very nice work James... i am extremely impressed with details and presentation.

[@JAGProductionss]

Thank you for this amazing Historical Piece. The information you've provided is definitely much more than ive ever learnt. It is worrying how miscommunication and simple misteps could cost the battle.

[@athanasiostsakonas7044]

Great explanation James. Very informative.

[@sbh55]

Excellent historical explanation on the tragic incident, with an impressive overlay in today's location !

[@patrickayu]

Well done n informative

[@Freddie1217]

Fantastic descriptions

[@edmunlum]

Good documentary, very detail, thanks for making such good video.

[@PearlF1966]

Thank you for this well made educational documentary. I am guilty of not knowing much of Singapore's history, especially the war. I have subscribed to your channel in hopes of learning more.

[@ahhockgoh9089]

great piece of work. keep it up. one of the best work by far on this subject.regards.

[@bigno1900]

wow , this is very informative. I actually stayed in the block at bald hill overlooking St Marys as a kid.

[@yum8171]

Hi James. This is really good. Having read your early article on "Happy Valley", this video, especially the last parts of the video put in perspective the various battle sites against the current landscape was very useful for me to orientate. Coincidentally in the late 1980s, one of my ICT exercises was down the road in Happy Valley. This was before Bt Batok town was built, the sewerage works were still there, the light industry park was still hill and belukar. During the exercise, our battalion was to attack down Happy Valley to take a block of old building. I remember the heavily forested area next to the 3 blocks where I led my section for a flanking assault....the "enemy" only fired blanks not real ammo.

[@JamesTann]

It should be Sleepy Valley, not Happy Valley which is in Hong Kong.

[@relaxingsoundofnatureandam6420]

Thanks for sharing this history. It's very informative. Well done!!

[@eddygoh4768]

Best than a lot of our history books

[@darrenwong50]

Excellent and informative video! Really well done.

[@mikem922]

James I really enjoy so much your recreations of these battles in the Fall of Singapore. I have interest especially as my Grandfather was captured by the Japanese and ended up spending the War building the Burma Railway. Just as much I enjoy your birding videos and you are such a genuine person who loves birding so much and this really comes across. Each video is a little treasure of information for me. I will be visiting from New Zealand From December onwards and I am looking forward to keeping my own count of which birds I see and photograph. Best wishes and I hope you are keeping well.

[@hairudinkarim657]

This is truly2 amazing James. I cant help but to thank u so much for this such very detailed and informative history! Never knew a place that i used to work at(WCEGA Plaza) was actually the sleepy valley!! RIP to all the fallen soldiers..🙏

[@TheGohSC]

Very enriching and informative on the Battle of Bukit Batok

[@nigelchung86]

I love it. Thanks for the exciting history

[@davidwong3613]

There is still some thick jungle behind the Bugundy Hill area of Toh Tuck. I tried to trek through this jungle from Jalan Rajawali, but gave up because the undergrowth was too thick. Took a detour and emerged near Autobacs, next to St Mary of the Angels Church. I am sure there are war relics to be discovered in the jungle here.

[@sunnychow3179]

I'm doing that now. I just bought a metal detector and will be looking for relics in Sleepy Valley. James' video was the inspiration and catalyst for my new forays :)

[@kilmarwong3721]

Brilliant work

[@hazzeline1]

Wow, very good job and detailed explanation, this video should be played in SG museums to educate the younger generations.

[@marcuslow9396]

Thank you for sharing a every interesting piece of history of Singapore which was not taught

[@nafilyounnes2960]

What a great content! 👍

[@dan01]

narration is quite detailed and concise. thank you. wonder if you can consider to do one on Lieutenant Adnan & the battle of Pasir Panjang.

[@jasonchia2352]

thank you 👍

[@eatdriveplay]

I'm very impressed with the detailed and tactical appreciation of what happened, its almost like a debrief. Are you a retired SAF officer?

[@siaobai77]

This is a very thorough research with lots of effort at editing and finding some footages to make the documentary more interesting! Dear Sir, did you do a research of the Dalforce?

[@dominique74]

Thats my neighborhood. It's good to learn the histories surrounding the area. Wonderful narration and illustrations.

[@ariaantoroatang7720]

Thank you

[@timothealoh6249]

Well done, thank you, sir