WORLD WAR II
– A TIMELINE
December 1941
The first air raid on Singapore began
in the wee morning hours at 4.15
am on 7 December. The second
Japanese air raid on the city was on 29
December in the evening. Henceforth,
nightly air raids occurred.
and gradual reforms rather than
quick, radical ones. Unbeknownst to
many people, the party was actually
credited with drafting the law that
led to the Central Provident Fund
scheme we now know today.
July 1953
The first major daylight raid started on
12 January and the Japanese bombs
the island daily, except on 19 January.
Malaya fell into the hands of the
Japanese on the last day of the month
and to delay the army’s advance, the
Causeway was blown up.
The Rendel Commission was
initiated by then-Governor, Sir
John Nicoll, to review, make
recommendations and pave the way
for Singapore’s self-governance.
The group recommended that
domestic issues be under the
purview of an elected Legislative
Assembly, leaving internal security
and foreign affairs in the hands of
the British.
February 1942
1955
The siege o