The Fall of Singapore and the Death Railway

Join the group flight from London Heathrow or travel independently to Kuala Lumpur.

Arrival in the early evening. Transfer to our airport hotel for two nights or if making your own travel arrangements meet us at the hotel. Introductory talk over drinks in the evening. (D)

Explore the Japanese breakthrough at the Slim River bridges at Trolak, Kampung and Slim River, then continue to Kuala Lumpur following the Japanese route. Pass the National Monument and Cenotaph and visit the Malaysia National Museum and the Commonwealth War Cemetery. (B,L,D)

Drive to Gemencheh Bridge, site of the Australian ambush of advancing Japanese forces on 14 January, and follow the subsequent fighting withdrawal through Gemas to Segamat. At Bukit Kepong discuss the battle between local police and insurgent communists during the Emergency. Continue to the historic town of Malacca for one night. (B,L,D)

Amid colonial riverside houses in Muar discuss attempts to prevent Japanese river crossings and the destruction of 45th Indian Brigade. At Bakri see the site where Australian anti tank guns destroyed a Japanese tank force and stop at Parit Sulong, scene of the massacre of Allied wounded. View Singapore across the Johore Straits from Danga Bay to understand the Japanese perspective. Cross the border into Singapore for five nights. (B,L,D)

Walk through the wooded Sungai Buloh Reserve and its mangrove coast, terrain that challenged both defenders and Japanese amphibious landings, and see the causeway stormed by the Japanese Imperial Guard. Pay respects at Kranji CWGC Cemetery. Examine the failure of the Jurong Kranji Defence Line, the Malay Regiment stand at Pasir Penjang and the Cambridgeshire resistance in Adam Park. (B,L,D)

Day on foot beginning at Fort Canning Park including Percival command bunker where the surrender decision was taken. From the Padang view the Singapore Cenotaph, civilian memorials and St Andrew Cathedral with its Memorial Hall. On the Padang and outside City Hall the Japanese formally surrendered the city. Afternoon and evening at leisure. (B)

Drive to the Former Ford Factory where Percival signed the surrender instrument. Further visits include the site of the former Japanese memorial at Bukit Batok, the grave of Field Marshal Count Terauchi and the site of the Punggol Beach massacre. Drive past Changi Prison to the chapel and museum interpreting Allied POW life. See the replica 15 inch gun of the Johore Battery, visit Changi Beach massacre site and look across the Straits to Pulau Ubin, part of Yamashita deception plan. (B,L,D)

Explore the remains of Labrador Battery guarding the entrance to Keppel Harbour. Travel by cable car from Mount Faber to Sentosa to explore Siloso Battery with its eleven-story skywalk, tunnels, fire control tower and Second World War exhibitions. (B,L,D)

Morning flight to Bangkok. Drive to Nong Pladuk station, where the Thai-Bruma railway starts. Continue to Kanchanaburi for three nights. (B,L,D)

Visit Kanchanaburi CWGC Cemetery and the exhibition at the Thailand Burma Railway Centre. Travel by train over the River Kwai Bridge to Than Krasae, walk along the wooden trestle viaduct and visit the cave. Continue to an elephant sanctuary and walk through jungle to Tham Chaloei Cave, shelter for Allied POWs. (B,L,D)

Drive to Hellfire Pass to visit the interpretation centre and walk a section of railway through Konyu Cutting. Option to extend the walk to Hintok Cutting. Pay respects at Chong Kai CWGC Cemetery, former POW burial ground, hospital and church. From Curve Mountain gain river views, take a boat ride beneath the bridge (B,L,D)

Morning at leisure. Depart for Bangkok airport for early evening return flight to London unless you have made your own travel arrangements. (B)

Arrive home