Post War Post War SingaporeSingapore

- The Interim Years- The Interim Years

The Interim PeriodThe Interim Period On 17th August 1945, Japan On 17th August 1945, Japan

surrendered from Singapore. surrendered from Singapore. British rulers only returned to British rulers only returned to

Singapore by September 1945. Singapore by September 1945. During this period, the Japanese During this period, the Japanese

were still in control. were still in control. Many Singaporeans rushed to get Many Singaporeans rushed to get

rid of their Banana notes. rid of their Banana notes.

Some Japanese sold their goods at very Some Japanese sold their goods at very low prices. low prices.

Looting of Japanese shops was Looting of Japanese shops was common. common.

Some informers who helped the Some informers who helped the Japanese during the occupation Japanese during the occupation were killed by the locals. were killed by the locals.

As a result of the looting and As a result of the looting and revenge killings, it was very chaotic revenge killings, it was very chaotic in Singapore during this period. in Singapore during this period.

The Return of the British The Return of the British 1945 Sept1945 Sept

The British returned on 5th Sept 1945. The British returned on 5th Sept 1945. A week after there was a grand victory A week after there was a grand victory

parade at the Padang to mark the return of parade at the Padang to mark the return of the British. the British.

Participants were soldiers, sailors and Participants were soldiers, sailors and airmen who had fought against the airmen who had fought against the Japanese and MPAJA who had hidden in Japanese and MPAJA who had hidden in the jungles to fight against the Japanese. the jungles to fight against the Japanese.

Lord Louis Mountbatten represented the Lord Louis Mountbatten represented the British to sign the surrender document of British to sign the surrender document of the Japanese. the Japanese.

A temporary military government was A temporary military government was set up to run Singapore. It was made set up to run Singapore. It was made up of professional soldiers and former up of professional soldiers and former European civil servants. It was called European civil servants. It was called British Military Administration. British Military Administration.

Aims were to maintain law and order Aims were to maintain law and order and to help in the reconstruction of and to help in the reconstruction of Singapore in the next few years. Singapore in the next few years.

The people's confidence and faith in The people's confidence and faith in the British, however, had changed. the British, however, had changed.

Problems faced by the Problems faced by the BritishBritish Shortage of food - especially rice as the other Shortage of food - especially rice as the other

rice-producing countries did not produce enough rice-producing countries did not produce enough to sell us. Bombing in Singapore also destroyed to sell us. Bombing in Singapore also destroyed ships so trade was affected. Harbour was also ships so trade was affected. Harbour was also blocked by sunken ships. Many warehouses were blocked by sunken ships. Many warehouses were destroyed during the war. With the shortage of destroyed during the war. With the shortage of food prices soared to ten times the normal food prices soared to ten times the normal prices. There was a growth of black market due prices. There was a growth of black market due to scarcity of food.  to scarcity of food. 

Shortage of public utilities - water supplies were Shortage of public utilities - water supplies were affected as many water pipes were destroyed. affected as many water pipes were destroyed. Reservoirs were dirtied as filters and pumping Reservoirs were dirtied as filters and pumping stations were not maintained. Gas and electricity stations were not maintained. Gas and electricity were also disrupted. Streets were dirty, dark and were also disrupted. Streets were dirty, dark and unsafe at night. unsafe at night.

Unemployment - Thousands of people Unemployment - Thousands of people became jobless after they were thrown became jobless after they were thrown out of job when the Japanese out of job when the Japanese surrendered and left Singapore. surrendered and left Singapore.

Destruction of houses - Air bombings Destruction of houses - Air bombings destroyed many buildings and housings. destroyed many buildings and housings. Shortages resulted in rapid rise of rent. Shortages resulted in rapid rise of rent. Buildings became overcrowded as many Buildings became overcrowded as many squeezed into small living areas. Living squeezed into small living areas. Living condition became unhealthy and many condition became unhealthy and many people moved out of the city and became people moved out of the city and became squatters. squatters.

Poor health among the people - Twice Poor health among the people - Twice as many people died in 1945 as as many people died in 1945 as compared to post war years. Hospitals compared to post war years. Hospitals lacked equipment, bedding, furniture lacked equipment, bedding, furniture and medicine. Many people suffered and medicine. Many people suffered from malnurition and diseases like from malnurition and diseases like small pox. small pox.

Disruption in Education - Many pupils Disruption in Education - Many pupils stopped school during the Japanese stopped school during the Japanese Occupation. Schools also lacked Occupation. Schools also lacked teaching materials and proper teaching materials and proper facilities. facilities.