The Garden Tomb

During our pilgrimage to Holy Land in May 2006, my wife Josephine and I stayed at ‘The Olive Tree’ Hotel at St. George Street which is outside the walled city of Jerusalem down the road to Nablus. One morning we left our hotel travelling to Jerusalem when we passed the ‘Garden Tomb’ which is located near an Arab bus station, our guide named ‘Halis’ pointed out to us and said that the Protestants believe it to be the true burial place of Jesus. Not the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre (Al Qeyameh) as revered by the Roman Catholics (Latin-rites) and the Eastern-rites Orthodox Churches of Greek, Armenian, Russian, Ethiopian, Coptic (Egypt) and Syrian.
















The Garden Tomb

How come? We were hearing it from Halis our professional guide and what a surprise; it made me confused. From what we saw the Garden Tomb is far away from the Traditional site of the crucifixion even outside of the present day wall. Whereas the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre stands at the end of 'Via Dolorosa' (the way of the cross) which begins further down from the Chapel of Condemnation.

Jerusalem the walled city is one of the World's oldest continuously inhabited cities. The surrounding walls were built by 'Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent' (Ottoman Turk) in the 16th century when he conquered Jerusalem. It roughly followed the course of the earlier walls built by the Romans to encircle Jerusalem in the 2nd century. At the Jaffa Gate, one of the 8 gateways bears the Sultan's inscription ordering it's construction in 1538/9.

Anyway history tells us that in the 3rd century Constantine became the first Christian Emperor after defeating Maxentius at the battle of Milvian Bridge. By issuing the Edit of Milan he had granted freedom of worship; that ended more than 260 years of persecutions by Roman Rulers starting from Emperor Nero in 54 A.D. By this act, Christianity spread like a wild brushfire throughout the entire Roman Empire. Suddenly Christianity from underground, illegal and private emerged to recognition, State-sponsored and public. In 326 his mother St. Helena a devote convert went on a pilgrimage to Holy Land and conducted the first archaeological excavations. She is held as the Patron Saint of Archaeologists; discovering the site of crucifixion, the true cross and the empty tomb of Jesus. Like the 'Ark of Covenant' carried to battle by the Jews, the true Cross was also carried to battle by the Crusaders and loss to Saladin at Hattin. At that time Macarius was the Bishop of Jerusalem and Helena prompted her son to build a basilica to commemorate the burial site of Jesus. It took 9 long years to complete the building named ‘Holy Sepulchre’ and the inauguration attended by some 300 bishops.

From the six century the Armies of Islam took turns controlling the Holy Land; they came from the land of Egypt, Arabia and Turkey. Pilgrims were stopped, shrines desecrated and the fanatical El-Hakim even ordered total destruction of the Holy Sepulchre (tomb of Jesus) and all trappings of Christianity. This led to Pope Urban II to preach ‘Sacrum Bellum’ (Holy War) in 1095 urging Christian Europe to respond to his call and liberate the Holy Land from the Turks. As a result 200,000 men from all over Europe took to arms and marched to Jerusalem. In 1099 the first Crusaders led by a French knight Godefroy de Bouillon (Geoffrey of Bouillon) conquered Jerusalem and massacred the Muslim defenders and Jews as well. He was hailed as the ‘Defender of the Holy Sepulchre’ and set about founding a Latin Kingdom. At the same time rebuilding and restoring the Basilica. I cannot help thinking about those countless thousands who had sacrificed their lives for their faith for the wrong empty tomb? Then all would have died in vain. Could Emperor Constantine himself, his mother St. Helena, Macarius the Bishop of Jerusalem, along with the fanatical Al-Hakim the 6th Caliph of Egypt, Geoffrey of Bouillon (Defender of the Holy Sepulchre), Salah ad-Din known to the West as Saladin (Liberator of Jerusalem, Islam greatest, holy warrior); all of them made an error? The Crusaders were defeated by Saladin in the ‘Battle of the Horns of Hattin’ in 1187 and King Guy of the Latin Kingdom taken prisoner. Next to follow was the fall of the walled City of Jerusalem. Meantime Saladin’s lieutenants prompted him to torch the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre but he refused. After all Jesus is accepted by Muslims as one of their prophets and honour Mary his mother.

Nearby the Holy Sepulchre is the mosque better known as the ‘Dome of Rock’, revered by the 3 religions, the Jews, Christians and Muslims. For the Jews it is the site where Abraham wanted to sacrifice his son, Isaac. The Christian follow the Jews as part of the Old Testament and for the Muslim it is the site when Prophet Mohammed ascended to heaven on a winged horse. Inside the mosque on the wall inscribed a passage from the Koran, pertaining to Christ.

Surah 19:33 ‘God bless your messenger and your servant Jesus, Son of Mary. Blessed be he on the day of his birth, on the day of his death and the day on which he will be raised from the dead.’

Instead Saladin simply locked up the Basilica and passed the keys to the Muslims and the two families in Jerusalem are the ‘Nuseybe’ and the ‘Cude’. So from ancient times it was customary for the Muslim family to ‘open/un-lock the door’ in order for the Christians to enter for worship.



















My wife and I at Holy Shrine of the ‘Dome of Rock’

As for the ‘Garden Tomb’ it lies below the rise of a cliff that resembles a ‘skull’ and it is also known as ‘Gordon’s Calvary’ named after the renowned British General ‘Charles George (Chinese) Gordon. In 1883 the general visited Jerusalem and seeing the surrounding garden; became convinced that this is the Tomb of Jesus which he thought more fitting; instead of the dark and gloomy interior of the Holy Sepulchre. It hangs upon a single verse taken out of context of John’s Gospel Jn 19:41 ‘At the place where he had been crucified there was a garden and in this garden a new tomb in which no one had been buried.’

In the same chapter, verse 38 showed that Pilate gave permission to Joseph of Arimathaea and he took the body away; see the Gospel of Matthew.

Gen. Charles George Gordon

In the Synoptic Gospels, in Matt 27:57-61 The Burial (quote from Jerusalem Bible) ‘When it was evening, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, called Joseph who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate thereupon ordered it to be handed over. So Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean shroud and put it in his own new tomb which he had hewn out of rock. He then rolled a large stone across the entrance and went away. Now Mary of Magdala and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the sepulchre.’

In verse 59 Matthew specifically mentioned that ‘So Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean shroud and put it in his own new tomb.’ In verse 61 Matthew said that 2 witnesses were there, Mary of Magdala and the other Mary.

Also the Gospel of Lk 23:50-54, Mk 15:42-47 and in John Chpt.19:38-42, they all clearly pointing to Joseph of Arimathaea who approached Pilate to claim the body of Jesus. Jesus was crucified on the day before the Sabbath and died at the ninth hour. The Jews did not want corpses hanging during the Sabbath day; that explains why the legs of the two thieves were broken to hasten their death. The legs of Jesus were not broken as he was already dead. (as prophesied). The bodies had to be taken down on the same day before sunset. It was Preparation Day (that is vigil of the Sabbath) and the Sabbath was imminent and they were rushing for time. In Jn 19:42 ‘Since it was the Jewish Day of Preparation and the tomb was near at hand, they laid Jesus there.’ It said that Nicodemus came by night and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a 100lb weight. In Lk 23:55 ‘Meanwhile the women who had come from Galilee with Jesus were following behind. They took note of the tomb and the position of the body. Then they returned and prepared spices and ointments. And on the Sabbath they rested as the law required.’

During the passion of Christ his disciples had deserted him except for John who remained at the foot of the cross. On the other hand the women had been supportive and faithfull up to the end.

In Mk 16:1-2. When the sabbath was over, Mary of Magdala, Mary the mother of James and Salome, bought spices with which to go and anoint him.

Matt 28:1-2. After the sabbath and towards dawn on the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala and the other Mary went to visit the sepulchre. In verse 10, Jesus said to them, 'Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers that they must leave for Galilee; they will see me there'.

In Lk 24:9-11. When the women returned from the tomb, they told all this to the eleven and to all the others. The women were Mary of Magdala, Joana, and Mary the mother of James. The other women with them also told the apostles, but this story of theirs seemed nonsense and they did not believe.

Inside the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre at the Chapel of Adam lies a long slab of polished pink limestone called the ‘Stone of the Anointing’. This stone marks the place of the ancient Oratory of the Anointing and according to tradition is the place where the body of Jesus was anointed after it had been taken down from the cross. Where his beloved mother wept over him (XIII Station of the Cross) marked by the altar of ‘Stabat Mater’.

Josephine at ‘Stone of the Anointing’

The Tomb of Joseph Arimathaea

This small chamber in the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre, where located ancient tombs dug into the rock is the only part belonging to the Ethiopian Church. Accordingly inscription on the tomb refers to Joseph of Arimathaea. And Joseph was a well known figure in Jerusalem and a member of the council. The fact that Jesus had been buried in his grave provided a very clear identification that could not easily be lost to tradition. The family graves especially those so near the town were known to everyone.

That sinking feeling

30^th November 1985 Saturday

I was at home Teban Gardens Jurong in the Western part of Singapore when at about 9.10 pm the phone rang, I answered and the voice at the other end sounded terribly excited. The caller was my manager Jimmy and his first information was that our vessel mv.’Petr Lebedev’ had collided with another vessel and that I was to go immediately to investigate. The first thing I did was to contact our launch contractor to stand-by a fast boat for the trip and that I would be down in 45 minutes time. On my way I stopped at office to pick up some documents and proceed to Clifford Pier

For your information, Clifford Pier is the waterfront ferry terminal in the center of the city, it is one of the designated landing place for crew coming to shore. The Customs and the Pier Master had their offices and crew on shore- leave are subjected to scrutiny for dutiable or prohibited goods or items.

My arrival was timely it co-incite with the arrival of the Police “PX” class patrol boat which was approaching the Pier Landing with the siren wailing loudly signaling to make way for them. On board were 3 Russians, one apparently with head injury had a bandage wrapped around his head and the other two with lesser injury accompanied him. When the Police patrol boat pulled alongside, men alighted followed by the Marine Police sergeant, an ambulance party from the Fire Department was already standing-by waiting to receive them. I intercepted them to find out from the sergeant and learned that the crew-member with head injury was the vessel’s cook. The other was the first officer and another one was not identified. All were from our vessel “Petr Lebedev

At that moment one of our Directors Vorontsov arrived together with his wife, he was followed by my colleague named Charlie, a boarding officer. Owing to circumstances we had to separate so our Director went along with the 3 crew-members to the Singapore General Hospital. Another boarding officer, Victor was asked to assist them for the usual admission formality. In such case we have to provide a letter of guarantee to cover for the medical treatment and hospitalization. From information obtained from the Marine Police indicated that our vessel ‘Petr Lebedev’ had sustained very serious damage and listing badly to starboard; about to capsize.

However we learned that most of the crew had been evacuated to the sister vessel named ‘Sergei Vavilov’. Charlie and myself left Clifford Pier in our fast service launch in search of the two vessels at the Eastern Working Anchorage. The night had been pitched dark and we had some difficulties in figuring out where the position of our two vessels.

After a while we found the first vessel, it was “Sergei Vavilov” laid anchored in position reference to Grid No. 5315-A. We noted she had sustained superficial damage by way of the bow, soft nose and stem. More damage to portside bulwark, a gapping hole exposing the internal with the anchor-stock bent and dangling low just above the water. We circled one round to make a thorough inspection on other parts of the vessel, before boarding up to see the Master. The Captain of mv “Sergei Vavilov” was the older man and he welcome us on-board, he had prepared the necessary documents, reports and handed to us. He appeared calm and composed, he had received the un-essential crew from the sister ship “Petr Lebedev” for safety reason.

Having finished our meeting, we enquired about the other vessel and ask for direction. He informed us that the sister ship was some distance astern so we left his ship in search of ‘Petr Lebedev’. We found her some and she had a gapping hole about 3 meter square right at mid-ship starboard side puncturing the hull just below the waterline. It had her subjected to flooding the entire engine-room and fortunately owing to design of compartmentation it could be contained. In exercising damage control and prevention the spread of flooding to other compartments; the engine-room was sealed off.

Tug “Spravedlivy” alongside “Petr Lebedev”

Sketch ‘Petr Lebedev’ listing to starboard-side.

Above the waterline more serious damage sustained to the starboard side accommodation up to the boat- deck also damaging the lifeboat and it’s davits. one large ocean-going Russian Salvage tug with red superstructure and black hull named ‘Spravedlivyi’ was lashed to her port-side and held from capsizing and sinking.

At the bridge-wing of the tug stood a lean figure of the Master, he was busy directing the salvage operation. The team of experience salvage crew and divers were immediately on the job, preparing several pumps and rolls of hoses and sending them down to the flooded engine-room. Working feverishly to control the water that had knocked out the main engine and the auxiliary generators the source of electricity and power. Obviously the damaged was considered very serious because without power the vessel,crippled and dead on water.

Starboard-side badly damaged

Several small boats from the Port Authority and Marine Police surrounded the two crippled vessels. A “ Selco” salvage tug, Port Authority fireboat were anchored close and appeared to be on standby. The badly damaged “Petr Lebedev” had taken so much water that made her draught 'deep' listing dangerously. So low that her free-board became level with our small boat and we could stepped over with ease.

At the same time came on board was the Port Inspector, Mahmud and an Inspector from the Marine Police. The time was 1130 pm the deck was in a mess with fire-hoses running criss-cross all over the place obstructing our passage as we had to cross over several making our way to bridge. We took the stairs to the bridge and found the Master, he was the younger captain and he looked worried and troubled, however he was pleased to see us. We discuss concerning the situation and the necessary measures that required immediate attention. Meantime the Marine Police needed a statement from the Master, the same demand from the Port Inspector. We assured them it would be forth-coming as soon as situation had improved. What we meant when our vessel came out of danger.

The Port Inspector also offered if any assistance required but both Masters from the crippled vessel and the tug rejected as the situation has more or less under control. By then both the Police and the Port Inspectors had left the vessel and with an advice to call them should the situation change for the worst and require their assistance. Charlie and I had remained onboard to give moral support to the Master in that moment of difficulties and for sake of maintaining communication with the Authorities.

More pumps were brought into usage to control the flooding in the engine-room which had knocked out the power to provide electricity. The whole vessel was plunged in total darkness. And power for lighting and working of pumps were solely drawn from the salvage tug.

Collision-mat covered the damaged starboard side mid-ship.

As accordingly the divers had been busy putting in place the “collision mat” instantly, instead of trying to construct a wooden wall which would have taken much time and efforts. So the choice to use the ‘collision mat’ as a temporary measure was a good decision. To cover the punctured hull immediate and quickly to arrest the flooding. The collision mat is a double layer large square canvas reinforced with wire-mesh in between. Two lowering wires held the top-ends through the grommet and secured to the main deck. Meantime two hogging wires held the bottom-ends and divers had to run it underneath the hull to the other side (port-side). Having positioned the collision-mat over the damaged hull below waterline, the hogging lines are tightened to taut the mat. When properly tightened it prevented water from sipping through into the engine room.

From the sky-light opening above we could see the flooded engine-room covered by a top layer of oil. The thought that ran through my mind was that should the vessel sink we would be in a big soup as oil pollution is taken as a very serious matter. Meantime I asked Charlie to go home to rest but to send the boat back with packet-meal. After mid-night I was very hungry and went to the Captain’s cabin, there was sufficient light penetrating through the window to enable to see what you ate. The situation by then was very un-stable for we had a 9-10 degree list to starboard and it was natural for me to feel un-easy and afraid.

The captain of “Petr Lebedev”

The symptoms were all there, the vessel laid dead in the water, in total darkness, the deck slanting in a situation likely to capsize. That sinking feeling sent the shivers running right down the entire length of my spine. My knees knocking each other and from my feet I felt the chilling coldness. You can imagine that I had the fastest meal in my whole life, swallowed down everything in the shortest record time. Having finished my meal I ran out of the enclosed cabin to the openness of the deck space; I felt more relief. there. At least there I was in a better position to exercise judgment in assessing the situation and anticipate my next move. Of course I did not intend to be caught trapped in the cabin should the vessel capsize and sink.

At about 0300 hours the Port Authority boat named the “Commander” returned and the inspector came on board once again. He offered assistance but we declined for more or less by then our salvage team have contained the problem. However the inspector warned us to exercise all precaution to prevent any oil spillage that would cause pollution. After a short while he left us and returned to his boat that departed into the darkness.

The good news was that the worse was over; all of us felt greatly relief and so by morning I was able to leave the vessel. I returned to office for the next assignment to look for a shipyard to accept the crippled “Petr Lebedev”. Finally we found Keppel Shipyard whose dry-dock was immediately available to accept our vessel. Finally she was towed into the main Keppel Shipyard at Telok Blangah for major repairs to restore her back to seaworthiness status.

For information sake, both vessels were Research Ships, built in 1957 at Wartsila Yard, Turku. The gross tonnage 3,642 tons with length of 94.2m and driven by a 2,400hp engine that gave a speed of 13.5 knots.

mv “Petr Lebedev” alongside Keppel Shipyard

Keppel workers patch-up the damage starboard hull

Later a full board of enquiry followed to look into the incident on how the two vessels equipped with modern navigational aid could have collided into

each other when sailing out that night. I heard the result was that the old master spared and the younger one blamed for the collision.

It had been an exciting and a good experience which I cannot never forget.

Remember 15th February 1942

On that festive day of Chinese New Year and according to the Chinese Lunar Calendar was the unfortunate year of the ‘horse’, the so claimed impregnable fortress of Singapore fell into Japanese hands. It was the most humiliating defeat ever suffered by the British Army when 100,000 British, Australian and Indian defenders could not defeat 30,000 invaders from the Empire of the Sun. I am positively sure that our older generation will never forget the passing era of white ‘Colonial Master‘ for an Asiatic one more fierce, more barbaric and more cruel than ever.

As the Japanese launched a sneak aerial assault on Pearl Harbour on the 7th December 1941, they coordinated with their landings at Singora, Patani and Kota Bahru in Southern Siam and North Eastern Malaya respectively for their expansion plan. Three Divisions composed of the 5th, 18th Divisions and the Imperial Guards made up the Japanese 25th Army under the command of Lt.General Tomoyuki Yamashita; known as the ‘Tiger of Malaya’, led the thrust.

The Fleet under Vice-Admiral Nagumo sailed with 6 aircraft-carriers (Hiryu, Shokaku, Zulkaku, Akagi, Kaga and Soryu) for Hawaii. The American were so to say caught with their pants down on that Sunday morning, when 360 ship-borne aircraft from the carrier Air Group led by Lt. Cdr. Fuchida attack Ford Island, bombing the battleship row, airfields and installations. It was a complete surprise; like a shooting gallery in a Fun Fair for every Japanese pilot had opportunity of target a ship or a plane to shoot at practically without interruption. Four battleships were sunk including USS 'Arizona' and another four badly damaged. However it was very fortunate for the Americans as their aircraft-carriers were not in port and thereby escape destruction. Their Pacific Fleet was badly mauled in a single blow in what became known as the ‘Day of Infamy’. As for the Japanese, they lost only 29 planes.

Three days later on the 10th December, a running battle was fought at sea with the British Eastern Fleet that made up of the new battleship HMS ‘Prince of Wales’ (35,000tons) and the older battle-cruiser ‘Repulse’ (26,500tons) with their escorting destroyers designated as 'Force Z' sent to interdict the Japanese landings were being discovered and reported. The Japanese Naval Air Fleet based at Saigon, Indo-China responded by dispatching Mitsubishi type 1 Rikko G4M1 (Allied code ‘Betty’) and G3M2 Nell twin-engine bombers to attack. They caught up with the two British capital ships off Kuantan, in the East coast of Malaya and sent both to the bottom of the sea. Their Fleet Commander Admiral Sir Tom Phillips went down with his ship, the ‘Prince of Wales’.

In February/March, another naval engagement followed with the combined fleet of American, British, Dutch and Australian cruisers and destroyers was defeated by the Imperial Japanese Navy in the ‘Battle of Java Sea’ in which the cruisers American ‘Houston’, British ‘Exeter’, Dutch ‘De Ruyter’, ‘Java’ and the Australian ‘Perth’ were sunk. Meantime Japanese Admiral Osawa with his carrier task force roamed the Indian Ocean and sunk two British cruisers ‘Cornwall’ and ‘Dorsetshire’. They also attacked the Island of Ceylon (now Sri Langka) and sunk the British aircraft-carrier HMS ‘Hermes’ off the island; thus ending the mirth of ‘Britannia rules the wave’.
In the aerial defence of Malaya/Singapore faired no better as the main fighter element was the American-built Brewster 'Buffaloes' and composed of five squadrons. Two Royal Air Force (No.67 and 243 Sqdn), one New Zealand (No.488 Sqdn) and two Australians (No.21 and No.453 Sqdn)with a total of 52 aircraft. The stubby already obsolete 'Buffaloes' together with two squadrons (Nos.36 and 100) of antiquated ‘Vildebeest’ torpedo-bombers were no match for the Japanese. Their sleek Nakajima type Ki-43 ‘Hayabusha’ (Peregrine Falcon, Allied code ‘Oscar’) fighters were faster and exceptional agile. About 40 machines were delivered to the Japanese Army Air Force and used in Malaya by Nos. 59th and 64th Sentai.

American-built Brewster ‘Buffalo’ fighter F2A (model)

The opposition were simply shot out of the skies, including one John Gorton who was to become Prime Minister of Australia. The unforgiveable folly of under-estimating the enemy proved to be devastating. Britain had been complacent and thought that Japan an Asiatic country of little yellow people was definately inferior and no match for them. They even criticised by figuratively joking that Japanese planes being made of bamboo and rice paper and that Japanese pilots are cock-eyed, cannot even fly a plane properly; let alone fight in one. They must have been thinking that the Japanese were still flying bi-planes. Forgetting the the Japanese has been at war with China in what is called the ‘China Incident’ and are already seasoned pilots with much experience. Then the British discovered to their shocking surprise when engaged in combat with the much superior Japanese fighters. The eleventh hour reinforcement in January 1942, when Britain dispatched advanced ‘Hawker Hurricane’ fighters flown off from the carrier HMS ‘Indomitable’ to Singapore via Palembang to join battle was ‘too little, too late’ to stem the tide of the war. The enemy was already knocking at the doorstep and Singapore was doomed!. It was inevitable that Singapore will fall as the water catchment areas were held by the Japanese, the moral of the defenders low at rock bottom and to avoid further bloodshed General Percival decided to surrender.

1942 British surrenders to the Japanese Gen. Yamashita

Actually the British already had a plan called ‘Operation Matador’ which involved crossing into Siam as a pre-emptive measure; but failed to enforced it for fear of infringing the Sovereignty. The Kingdom of Siam is an Independent country ruled by a monarch, was so far untouched by Western Powers. Meanwhile Siam had chosen neutrality as she dared not opposed the agressive Japanese Army who were using their soil in transit as safe passage to transgress into Northern Malaya.

The big 15-inch coastal guns of Fortress Singapore positioned at Changi for the Johore battery and Fort Siloso at Pulau Balakang Mati (now renamed ‘Sentosa’) claimed to be wrongly positioned in the South facing the sea and expecting an amphibious assault; but instead the Japanese came by the back door from the North. Actually the coastal guns could transverse 360 degrees to shoot back at the enemy at it’s rear (Johore) and therefore it was a lame excuse

British coastal gun at now Sentosa Museum

The Japanese invasion spearheaded by medium/light tanks and with some of the infantry travelling light and fast on bicycles took only 70 days to overrun the whole Peninsular Malaya; smashing through several British defences at Jitra, Slim River, Bakri, Batu Pahat right up to the doorstep of Singapore. As a last resort the British blew up the causeway causing a breech; it was just a delaying action buying time but the Japanese Engineers went to work on it and restored it in no time for the crossing.

My father Hermanus Pattiselanno an Indonesian from Ambon married my Eurasian mother Leonie Laura Minjoot in 1937 and I was born a year later. He was Ship’s 2nd Officer in the Merchant Marine with a Dutch Company called ‘Koninklijke Paketvaart Maatschappij’; eventually he became a captain. At the outbreak of war, all communication had been severed and there was no news coming through ;we did not know whether he was dead or alive. I was then a toddler only 5 years old.

Hermanus. KPM ship ‘Wakde’ at Tanjong Priok

We were living in Katong right opposite to the Joo Chiat Police Station and had our own air-raid shelter dugout in the open ground behind of our two-storied house; we occupied level two and below is void deck where people can pass through. At the wailing sound of the siren we would rush down to our shelter. Meanwhile our faithful amah ‘Ah Sum’ (in those days amahs (Chinese servants) were traditionally clad in cotton white tops and silk black trousers, called ‘samfu’) would continue to cook our meals in the kitchen. She was really a brave little woman who overcame fear, disregard her own personal safety and with a strong sense of responsibility and loyalty.

The surrender of Singapore by the British followed three and a half years of Japanese occupation. The British ‘Union Jack’ was replaced by a red meatball upon a white background’ and Singapore became 'Syonan-to'. We led a very harsh life, deprived of practically everything; food became scarce, rice, sugar were rationed and black market was rampant. The Japanese issued their money locally known as ‘Banana Currency’ which was worthless; a few thousands could only buy a bar of soap

Japanese 'Banana currency'

We, children had to learn ‘Nippon-go’, the Japanese Lingo, the language of the conqueror. I went to St. Hildas’ School, if not mistaken at Ceylon or Haig Road. We learned ‘katakana’ sounds like ‘A, ee, ooh, a, oh - ka ki ku k ko and jokingly saying in Malay ‘kaki lu bengkok’ (meaning your leg deformed). We sang their National Anthem the ‘Kimigayo’ and you can say that most of us were thin, undernourished. In the morning we are given a spoon of red palm oil as a supplement. Owing to acute shortage of basic foodstuff. we ate tapioca, a bulb easily grown became our staple diet and many things were made from it including cakes. So too much of it brought a swelling illness called ‘beri-beri’ and many people died from it beside dysentery, TB and Malaria.

We were quite fortunate because my grandfather David Anthony Minjoot, my uncles Joe and Lawrie each of them had Malay native craft called ‘kolek’ and they took to fishing. It was more lucrative and also as an extra source of food and income from sale of their catch. My youngest uncle Leo who worked as a labourer for the Japanese and brought back rice. My mother made ice-cream and my elder brother Victor had to sell it.

Atrocities were wide spread,the Japanese took utmost pleasure and enjoyed administering it; torturing people was part of their specialty; they had developed it into fine art. There is no mercy or pity and would go at great length to extract confession by whatever means; inflicting grievous hurt or even death. There is total absence of respect for human life; to them it just a digital sum, a figure for addition or subtraction. A lot stories of torture by their Military Police, the ‘Kempeitai’, employing the popular ‘water treatment’ in feeding water until the stomach bloated up and then trample upon it. Extracting finger nails by a pair of pliers, chop-sticks driven to the ears to puncture the ear-drums, electrocution, beheading and bayoneting civilians, prisoners-of-war, etc... Some 60,000 prisoners-of-war and local labourers were sent to Siam to work on the ‘Death Railway’ spanning the ‘River Kwai’, including my uncle ‘Alloysius’, who served with the Royal Artillery. Fortunately thank God that he survived and returned to Singapore a walking skeleton.

Soon after the Fall of Singapore, the Japanese carried out a sort of cleansing operation called ‘Sook Ching’ to get rid of un-desirables, the thugs with tattoo marks, suspected subversive element, pro-China and British sympathizers and the list goes on…They are screened and taken to lorries, being driven away and never to be seen again. There was this story about our Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew who had a narrow escape when he somehow was allowed to return home for change of clothing and did not go back. Otherwise Singapore success story would have to be re-written, into a different one.

I personally witness atrocities on three occasions, the first a Male Chinese made to stand bearing a large stone over his head, He stood at the front of the Police Station opposite our house, how long? I cannot not recollect. The second incident the Japanese tied a man to a lamp post at either Jago Close or Kuo Chuan Avenue near to the Church of the Holy Family and left him for days; yet nobody dare to lay a finger to help him. The third one was even barbaric, a male Chinese his hands bound behind his back was lowered from the second level of the two storied terrace shop-houses a few rows from ours, I think next to Tay Ban Guan shop. At the ground floor a group of Japanese in Army uniform waited for him. We saw that his mouth had been sewn with thread and needle. The Army officers were merciless, without pity, without compassion, without even conscience and enjoyed in what they were doing. It was terribly awesome and as kids we were naturally frightened but they ignored our presence and left us alone watching. Also probably because we knew two young Japanese boys as our playmates; whose names were ‘Yosho’ and ‘Toshino’. Their fathers we believed must have been the Army top brass in order their families were allowed to follow.

Anyway during school days we had fun, making paper planes and flying them off from the second level. And near our school at Haig Road the Japanese had abandoned some un-serviceable warplanes under some cluster of trees; one twin-engine bomber and the other single-engine fighter. With my brother we used to play ‘hide and seek’; at times when a herd of cows approaching we would seek shelter in the twin-engine aircraft as we felt safe in a larger fuselage. When we sat in the cockpit, we imagine a lot of things playing pilots flying on a bombing mission.

Un-serviceable Japanese planes abadoned at Haig Road


On one occasion the Japanese had shot down an American bomber and brought the parts to exhibit at the Roxy Cinema, Katong for the public to view. My uncle Lawrie brought me along to see and of course no question asked if you want to preserve your head. On the other hand the Japanese were proud of the display to reflect their ability to shoot down the enemy.

Another occasion a convoy of lorries conveying Australian prisoners-of-war pulled aside in front of our house. From our window at second level we observed that the prisoners had cigarettes but no match to light up; appeared sad and disappointed. We tossed a box of matches that landed exactly where they were seated as if heavenly sent. Meantime we kept away from the window for fear of discovery by the Japanese guards. It was obvious if caught would mean severe punishment for assisting the enemy and could even loose our heads.

By late 1944 American B-29's ‘Super Fortress’ were appearing overhead on bombing mission. We could see them in daring daylight raid not even camouflaged, shinning in their natural metallic finishing and flying courageously in close formation. The tide of war over the years had gradually changed and Japan by then at the receiving end. They lost several important naval battles beginning at Coral Sea, a crippling one at Midway where they lost 4 of their aircraft-carriers; including irreplaceable veteran pilots. They lost Guandal Canal in the South Pacific that set the Americans on island hopping. Then followed the Battle of Phillipine Sea and the American invasion at Leyte Gulf.

Admiral Ohnishi initiated the formation of 'Kamikaze' unit as a desperate attempt to stem the tide of the American offensive. 'Kamikaze' meaning 'Divine Wind' was named after a great storm that destroyed the invasion fleet of Mongol leader 'Kublai Khan'; assembled to attack Japan. From their bases at Malabacat in Luzon they flew in to attack as man-made artificial divine wind to destroy their enemy fleet. They had inflicted much damaged but failed in their main objective to stop the Americans.

In July 1945, two British midget submarines type XE 1 and XE2 towed by their parent submarines were launched to attack two Japanese cruisers at Singapore, the IJN 'Myoko' and the 'Takao'. XE2 managed to penetrate the 'net' defence and placed limpet mines at 'Takao' which blew up and sunk in shallow waters of the Naval base. 'Takao' an 'Atago' class of heavy cruisers of 9,850 tons was laid down in the year 1927. My uncle Lawrie said the Japanese were outraged by the attack and rounded up many fishermen for info and on suspicion of aiding the enemy.

Finally by August, 1945 the war ended abruptly when two Atomic bombs were dropped by USAF B-29’s (Enola Gay) at the City of Hiroshima and the other at Nagasaki, decimating both cities with hundreds of thousands died instantly, horribly as they evaporated into thin air at the ground 'zero' and many others from after effects of radiation illness. So war is bad, it is destructive and as in most conflict both parties suffer enormous casualties running into millions dead or badly maimed.

I wonder if mankind have ever learn a lesson?

Singapore Air Show 2010

This year the show is much bigger and better organised with more than 800 exhibitors from 40 countries, with big names like Boeing, Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, Rolls Royce and others. The 6-day Air Shows is Asia’s largest and one of the top three Air Shows in the World. was opened on the 2nd February with the first 4-day for Trade visitors and next 2-day weekends for the general public; it drew a large number of crowd approximate about 71,000 visitors. Despite the current world recession the Singapore Air Show continues to be a crowd puller with many foreign government and private sector drawn to it. The Show under it’s new name Singapore Air Show was inaugurated in 2008, replaces the Asian Aerospace Show and to be held bi-annually at this Changi new site.

My neighbour Ting and I, after breakfast at our Teban Garden took a bus about 8,00am to Jurong East Inter-change for Changi Airport Terminal 3 the designated pick-up point.. Upon arrival we changed to feeder bus service to get us to the site of the Air Show. As usual now a days especially after 9/11, we had to pass through the x’ray machine for security-checks before entering the the show proper.

Various National flags represent their participation

The flags fluttering proudly represent their respective countries participating in the Air Show, in static or aerial display of aircraft, engines, avionics, or other aeronautical products at their respective booths. Exhibiting their products and exercising their marketing skill and aggressiveness to capture approval and acceptance from potential buyers.

Our first attraction for the outdoor exhibit was a mock-up of the Lockheed Martin F35B ‘Lightning II’ a fifth generation fighter; a type ‘STOVL’ meaning Short Take-off, Vertical Landing; also having stealth material to evade or reduce being seen/track by radar. It is powered by a single American Pratt & Whitney F-135 engine that can vector and produce 41,000lbs vertical thrust; wow! that is a mighty lot of thrust. I remember the earlier first generation jets like the small ‘Vampire’ jet-fighter in the 1950’s about 30ft long x 9ft high with a 38ft wing-span; had only 3,000 plus/lbs thrust. In comparison with this awesome beast, Today advancement of technology has made the gap extremely wide apart. On it’s tail-fin bears the logo of Singapore Flag and just looking at it did us proud. I suppose we look forwards to our next (Gen.5) fighter. Placed beside the aircraft is a bulky engine, the F-135 resting in the cradle for public viewing.

The tail-fin showing ‘Singapore Flag logo’

A sleek front view of F-35 ‘Lightning II’

Rear view F-35 showing missile underneath

We walked to the Un-manned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) stand and saw a un-manned vertical take-off and landing aerial vehicle called the MQ-8B ‘Fire Scout’, the Global Hawk RQ-4 making a return appearance.and a UAV built by Israel Aircraft Industry.

Vertical Take-off and landing aerial vehicle (UAV)

The USAF ‘Global Hawk’

Once again in the news, the ‘Global Hawk’ is back again, the bulky UAV on display, grossly out-size the Israeli model.

Display specification.

The Israeli-built (IAI) UAV

RSAF AH-64 ‘Apache’ long-bow attack helicopter

also RSAF twin-rotor CH-47 ‘Chinook’ heavy-lift on static display.

RSAF F-16D at static display.

Gulfstream G550 AEW on static display

US-made Modified long-range Gulfstream executive jet equipped with more powerful early warning radar and control system has assumed the role of ‘Eye in the sky’ replacing the 4 elderly (more than 20 years old)

twin propeller-driven Northrop Grumman E-2C ‘Hawkeye’ spy planes of No.111 Squadron of the RSAF. There is much improvements as the new jet-planes can fly faster, higher and see better. And powered by two Rolls Royce turbofan engines with maximum speed of 449 knots (924km/h) and operational altitude of 12,500m. The search radar range exceed 200 nautical miles and can fly for 9 hours. Delivery for the next 3 aircraft is expected to be completed by 2 years time.

USAF Hercules C-130J transport aircraft

Hercules specs

Hercules rear view of ramp

F-111 (Aarvark) from RAAF No.6 Squadron

Seen here is an aging Royal Australian Air Force, US-built twin-turbojet long-range F-111 strike aircraft with No.6 Squadron appearing in public for the last time outside of Australia. It is due for retirement in December but in the meantime it still can thrill the crowd for it’s spectacular display of ‘dump and burn’ tactic where fuel is dumped through a pipe nozzle and set alight; trailing a spectacular ball of fire behind. First manufactured in States in 1968 for use by USAF.

USAF two F-15’s on display

Two USAF F-15’s on static display, despite of it’s 20 years old design it is something to be reckoned with. Battle proven in two Gulf wars and served in several Air Forces of the world including Singapore with up-dated version F-15SG.with 24 in numbers. Meantime Singapore as a Joint Strike Fighter programmed participant is interested in the F-35 Lightning II the Short Take-off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) to fulfill the future air power requirements. Singapore wants to ensure that it maintains a cutting edge as the best regional air force with qualitative and quantity advantage over others.

USAF PC-6 ‘Orion’ Maritime patrol aircraft

Pilatus PC-21 Swiss-built trainer for RSAF pilot training

Twin-prop ‘King Air’

Cessna ‘Caravan’

I love this plane, this is the bigger brother of the Cessna 172 ‘Sky Hawk’ that I used to fly in my Flying Club days.

Piper Warrior II of Youth Flying Club

We were told that the Club would be retiring their ageing Piper ‘Warrior II’ soon to be replaced.

Alenia Aeronautica C.27J Spartan (Italy)

Fantail un-manned air system

The Fantail comprises of the Fantail 5000 air vehicles, a ground control station and a data-link system. It is suitable for urban or military battlefield application.

Venus un-manned Surface Vehicle(USV)

This 9m-long vessel in the main exhibition hall at the Singapore Technologies static display area. This un-manned Surface Vehicle (USV) can fulfill the requirements of naval or security missions. Can be adapted to play multiple role of maritime surveillance, anti-submarine warfare or mine counter measures.

‘Warthog’ an All Terrain Track Carrier (ATTC)

Made by Singapore Technologies Kinetics on static display in the main exhibition hall. The 19-tonne ‘Bronco’ armoured all-terrain track vehicle modified to operate as the ‘Warthog’ had been ordered by Britain’s Ministry of Defence (MOD) for deployment by the British forces in Afghanistan numbering more than a 100 vehicles and costing a hefty S$340 million. Also on static display is the ‘Trailblazer’ an armoured mine-clearing vehicle developed by S.T.

A modern jet-engine

The modern jet engine, inspire of it’s small compact size generates more power, comparing with the first generation turbojets like the “Goblin’ used by the early ‘Vampires’ jetfighters in the 50’s which was bulky and produced much lesser power.

The highlight of the show is the aerial display which most of us want to watch. The skillfulness of the pilots as they take their aircraft into a series of maneuvers in loops, barrel rolls, 4-points turn, fast and spiral upwards vertically; vanishing into the clouds. The 'Star of the show' was the demonstrator ‘T-50 Golden Eagle, a supersonic trainer developed by Korea Aerospace Industries in co-operation with Lockheed Martin and put up an incredible and impressive display. Appearing for the second time, the first during the inaugural show two years back in 2008 and sporting the 'Red lion head' logo of the Republic of Singapore Air force. This indigenous supersonic aircraft is the only supersonic trainer in the world and currently in production for their own Air Force around 100 machines to replace older ones. The T-50 can fly at mach 1.4 and has an operational range of 1,000nm with service ceiling of 48,000ft. South Korea trying to market the T-50 to the regional countries especially Singapore but they have the opposition in the form of Italian ‘Aermacchi’ M-346 Trainer; quite competitive.

The huge USAF Boeing B-52 Stratofortress 4-jet engine, length 160ft heavy bomber with wingspan of 185ft and weighing about 229,088 kg.flew gracefully across the show area. A veteran of the Cold War had taken part bombing missions in Vietnam, Laos, Gulf War in 1991 and Afghanistan.

Next the USAF A-10 Thunderbolt II, nick-named ‘’Warthog’ a single-seat powered by twin-jet at 9,065 lbs static thrust each engine is a dedicated close-support aircraft/a tank-buster and making it’s first appearance at the Singapore Show. It has the ability to carry large numbers of ground attack stores on it’s pylons.

Our RSAF contribution in the air display by a high performance F-16 jet fighter with high-tech AH-64 ‘Apache’ long-bow attack helicopter; doing a series of synchronised maneuvers in integrated fly past, flash past and vertical spiral. Finally the ‘Apache’ hovering above the crowd of spectators took a bow by dipping it’s nose and made a graceful exit. However I was quite disappointed with this year show as all the aerial display being solo performances and total absence of aerobatic teams, local or foreign.

Ting and myself were really tired having been out since early morning and our legs are aching. Especially me owing to my leg injuries I am unable to walk or stand too long. Even with the support of a leg-brace, standing too long can be taxing. By the way the exhibition area, indoor and outdoor is so large that we were unable to run through all of them thus giving a miss for some; even for the home-grown Singapore Technologies sector. With our energy sapped away, we had to call it a day and left in the afternoon quite contented.