World of Pots: WWII Relics and Labrador Nature Reserve

Recently my family and I visited the Labrador Nature Reserve in Singapore. Even tough my son and I went to the Labrador beach a couple of times, our aim to go there was to fish. We had never actually explored the nature reserve there and did not know there was so much fun and history exploring the nature reserve.

The Labrador park is located within walking distance of Labrador Park MRT Station, the newly launched Labrador Nature & Coastal Walk comprises three distinct segments - Alexandra Garden Trail, Berlayer Creek mangrove trail, and Bukit Chermin Boardwalk. The Alexandra Garden Trail runs along Alexandra Road from Depot Road to Telok Blangah Road, through the Berlayer Creek mangrove area and skirts the foothills of Bukit Chermin. Currently one of two remaining mangroves in the south of mainland Singapore, Berlayer Creek is home to a myriad of fauna and flora - some 60 bird species, 19 fish species and 14 true mangrove plant species have been recorded here. Take a walk along the coastal foothill of Bukit Chermin on the Bukit Chermin Boardwalk. It is an elevated boardwalk which connects the Berlayer Creek mangrove trail and Labrador Nature Reserve to the promenade at the Reflections at Keppel Bay.

Labrador Nature Reserve contains the only rocky sea-cliff on the main island of Singapore. The10 ha coastal secondary vegetation was gazetted as a nature reserve on 1 January 2002. The park offers a picturesque view of the sea. A path built on the edge of the secondary forest provides a prime view of the cliff side vegetation coupled with a panoramic view of the sea. On week-ends, this place is full of anglers. Adults and children are busy casting their lines into the far sea hoping to catch something from the sea. On many occasions, my son and I went there fishing as well but we caught nothing. We remarked that even the fishes went on holiday overseas. Besides fishing, people also flock to the park to explore the little nature that is left in Singapore. While taking a leisurely stroll along one of the nature trails, one can spot squirrels scurrying up trees and watch birds, spiders and thousands of insects, permanent residents of the park. All these things of nature have their functions in keeping the rich forest a self-perpetuating habitat..

The Labrador beach

Besides its rich nature reserve, this place played a significant role in the history of Singapore during World War II. Remnants of the past like the secret tunnels and a fort enable visitors to have an interactive learning experience of the military history of the British rule during that era. Students, on their outdoor history lessons, will benefit from the educational value of these war relics and the military installations that were built on the highest points inside the nature reserve. Safely tucked away in the nature reserve, there were secret tunnels used by the British Army during World War II. They were left hidden and forgotten since then until they were rediscovered in 2001.Why was this place so heavily fortified by the British during World War II? Who were the enemies?

Leaning on mighty British soldiers

The big gun which was never used

During WWII, the Japanese were very aggressive and ambitious. They had always wanted the rich resources of S.E Asia to finance their war. Apart from waging a war in China, they also wanted to bring South East Asia under their control and the vast resources at their disposal. At that time, Singapore was still under British administration. The British anticipated that the Japanese would invade Singapore by sea. An ideal landing place for the Japanese marines would be here at the Labrador beach. They heavily fortified the place with big guns, forts, secret tunnels and lots of ammunition. Obviously they were prepared to engage the Japanese army. They even had one huge rock (the size of a small mountain) by the beach removed so as to have a clearer view of the sea. This was no ordinary rock. The rock was sighted by the legendary Cheng Ho, the Ming dynasty admiral who sailed into Singapore. It even appeared on the map used by the ancient Chinese for their voyages. The British had no regards for historical artifact. For many days and nights the British kept watch over the sea front for any Japanese war ships that might arrive and try to land there. The British were ready to ambush them and send them to heaven. If the British were so mighty, why did they build secret tunnels here? My explanation was that if the Japanese were too powerful to defeat, the British would then have an easy escape route to safety, maybe back to their motherland. While the British kept watch over the southern sea, the Japanese invaded Singapore from the north via the state of Johor in Malaysia (Thailand opened the gateway and allowed the Japanese forces to march into Malaysia). It seemed the Japanese were smarter than the British. Guess how did they march into Singapore? On Bicycles, they virtually cycled their way into Singapore. One could imagine while cycling into Singapore, the Japanese must have enjoyed the beautiful scenery along the way. What a way to fight a war. When the Japanese army eventually entered Singapore without obstruction, obviously the mighty British were no match to the fierce Japanese. As a result, without much fighting, the British surrendered to the Japanse. Not a shot was fired in the heavily fortified high ground at Labrador beach. History will tell you that the British gave up Singapore and went home to defend their motherland against the Germans. Morale of the story is: Do not expect foreigners to give up their lives to defend your country. You have to do it yourself. One needs to go to Labrador park to learn this important lesson in history. My family and I were glad that we made the trip to explore the park and learn a lesson in history.