It is one of Singapore's most famous iconic landmarks of heritage.
Built in memory of the civilians killed and massacred during the Japanese occupation of Singapore during World War II, the Civilian War Memorial sits on serene parkland in the midst of busy city traffic near Singapore's Padang and City Hall. Located within the War Memorial Park at Beach Road within the Central Area, Singapore's central business district, it is usually easy to spot in most backdrops encompassing the CBD landscape.
In World War II, Singapore fell to the Japanese Forces, who occupied Singapore from 15 February 1942 to 15 September 1945. The total loss of civilian lives in the 'Battle for Singapore' remains uncertain. A major massacre was that of "Operation Sook Ching" (which literally means "to purge" or "to eliminate"). The atrocities which occurred started on 18 February 1942, shortly after the fall of Singapore. Among the civilians who lost their lives were a large number of Chinese. The torture and killing was a mass exercise to wipe out potential threats. These atrocities continued until the Japanese surrendered in World War II. The numbers of those taken away and massacred can never be accessed, but unofficial figures put the number of dead at about 50,000 people.
Today, the monument stands nobly on the well-landscaped parkland amidst the towers of tomorrow. It attracts locals, tourists and other curious eyes with lots of photo-taking.
Civilian War Memorial:
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