CHIN Kah Chong 陈加昌
Japanese Occupation of Singapore,
Accession Number 000522
- Oral History Centre
Source
- 8
Total Reels
- Tan Beng Luan
Interviewer
- 03:45:36
Total Running Time
- Mandarin
Language
Copyright Notice
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Reel/Disc 1 of 8
Metadata
- 14 Jan 1985
Recording Date
- 00:29:12
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Lived in Somapah Estate. When Sino-Japanese war broke out, family's relationship with Japanese neighbours soured. In school, teachers from mainland China evoked anti-Japanese feelings among students. Sold flowers to raise funds. Taught anti-Japanese songs. 8 December 1941, Japanese bombed Singapore. Relatives flocked to their air-raid shelter. Saw Japanese soldiers arriving on bicycles. His house was searched by Japanese soldiers. First impression of Japanese soldiers.
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Reel/Disc 2 of 8
Metadata
- 14 Jan 1985
Recording Date
- 00:29:43
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Influenced by friends' Communist doctrines when he was young. Father's advice saved him. Incident in which his father helped Japanese driver out of burning military vehicle. Father's good deed paid off during mass screening at Jalan Hock Chye. Children exempted from mass screening. Grew bean sprouts for sale to supplement family income. Enrolled in Japanese language school at Queen Street. What he learnt in school.
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Reel/Disc 3 of 8
Metadata
- 14 Jan 1985
Recording Date
- 00:29:15
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
After three months at Japanese language school, went to Holy Innocents' School. Sister recommended him to Oka 10414 Butai at Tanjong Pagar. Attached to Southern First Survey Team. Why he was usually late for work. Practice of bowing in direction of Japan on every eighth day of the month. Learnt calligraphy and topographic symbols for map drawing. How he drew on photographs.
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Reel/Disc 4 of 8
Metadata
- 14 Jan 1985
Recording Date
- 00:29:15
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
British launched counter-attack. How he detected that war was coming to an end. Received two certificates upon completing course at Oka 10414 Butai. Tested on Japanese language and map drawing. Incentives given to those who performed well. Learned conditions in Japanese language school. Graduation ceremony held in Cathay Building. Participated in Japanese Emperor's birthday celebrations. Learnt Japanese songs in school.
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Reel/Disc 5 of 8
Metadata
- 7 May 1985
Recording Date
- 00:27:50
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
His teacher in Southern First Survey Team was a civilian officer. Why they assembled at field on every eight day of the month. Elaborated on his reasons for being late for work at Oka 10414 Butai. Japanese teacher told them that war had ended. Learnt that some Japanese officers committed suicide after Japanese surrender. Relationship among employees in Oka 10414 Butai.
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Reel/Disc 6 of 8
Metadata
- 7 May 1985
Recording Date
- 00:30:03
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Background information about duties of other employees in Oka 10414 Butai. Why he thinks Oka 10414 Butai was not a fighting unit. Japanese emphasised Japanese spirit through textbooks written in that language. Propaganda movies shown to discredit British and glorify Japanese. Father was supportive of his children learning Japanese language during Japanese Occupation era. Opinion on security in his village since Japanese administration.
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Reel/Disc 7 of 8
Metadata
- 7 May 1985
Recording Date
- 00:30:31
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Supplied vegetables and other crops to Japanese military in exchange for rice and cash. His opinion on status of Malays during Japanese Occupation era. Learnt from hearsay how Japanese tortured locals. Reported seeing B-29s conducting air raid at Tanjong Pagar. His teacher at Oka 10414 Butai revealed that war had ended. General state of confusion prior to British return. Witnessed British return at Clifford Pier.
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Reel/Disc 8 of 8
Metadata
- 7 May 1985
Recording Date
- 00:19:47
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Family did not celebrate British return. Resumed lessons at Kwong Yong Secondary School and then Catholic High School. Practical application of Japanese language due to nature of his work today. Effect of Japanese Occupation on him and others. His impression of British before and after war.
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