As we commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Fall of Singapore.
THE MEN WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR THE BATTLE OF SINGAPORE
“The ruse having failed the Japanese, about two hours later, staged a determined attack in overwhelming strength. Although the defenders fought bitterly with grenade and automatic weapons they were unable to hold the hill. Many of the men and all the officers ( except Second-Lieutenant Abbas ) died in the close and at times hand-to-hand fighting which developed.
A number of the captured survivor were massacred by the Japanese. Lt. Adnan who, along with his brother officers, fought gallantly in this action was shot down and bayonetted by the enemy. His body was then hung upside down from a nearby tree; no one was allowed to cut it down for burial.
All the other Company posts having been overrun, Lieutenant Abbas – the only surviving officer – tried to save the remnants of his platoon from virtual extinction. The Japanese were outflanking and closing in from the front and the wide drain of burning oil at the rear blocked his retreat. He and four of his surviving men fought their way to the drain and leapt through the wall of flame. Two fell into the blazing oil and were pulled out badly burnt. The remainder including Lt. Abbas eventually reached Battalion Headquarters where the grim fate of ‘C’ Company was made known.”
– From ‘History of The Malay Regiment’ by Dol Ramli*, published in Singapore, 1955.
*Tan Sri Dol Ramli was born at Dunlop Street and grew up in Tasek Utara ( Farrer Park ). He received his early education at the Kampong Gelam Malay School before admission to the Raffles Institution and later at the Raffles College. The book above was based on his academic research whilst he was at the University Malaya ( Singapore ). He is regarded as the Father of Malaysian Broadcasting.
Source: Khir Johari
