Battle Box

So many moons ago, there was this war.  World War II (ever heard of it?)  The British had occupied Singapore and it is the day the British and Singapore surrendered to the Japanese.  It was February 15, 1942.  We went to the Battle Box which was then the largest military operations complex in Singapore. 

The Battle Box was an underground bomb-proof bunker for the British military in Fort Canning.  It was the actual bunker for the British Military.  Pretty cool, huh?  There are main hallways and lots of different rooms, but it is very dark, 'cause, well, it is underground.  Obvious there is poor lighting, small windows, concrete walls, and really creaky floors.  Usually visitors get a guided tour with an "orderly" taking them through the tour.  Well, not on the day we are there.  No guided tours that day so we can tour ourselves.  So the girls get me to give them a tour (ok, stop laughing).  We have a map of the layout and the names of particular rooms so I got that going for me. 

The crazy thing about this is that they have wax figures in each room depicting the British officers.  That's right, up-close and personal with these life-like figures in a dark, underground bunker.  We only saw four other real people in the whole bunker when we were there so we were alone in almost every room (apparently others may have gotten the memo that there was no guided tour today?)  These wax figures kinda freaked me out.  I mean, I knew they weren't real but something didn't feel right.  They truly made the bunker feel very life-like, almost too much so.  (Why was the guided tour not available?)   I halfway expected one of them to be a real person and start moving and talking to us.  (BTW, if that would have happened, I am pretty sure I wouldn't be typing this blog since the hospital would still be reviving me.)

This officer greeted us at the bunker door. 

(Good thing the girls have on their peace shirts since they will know we are friendly visitors)

So I am looking for clues in each room to figure out what I am going to tell them.  I would have done some more research ahead if I knew it was all on me.  (Of course, I am also making sure these wax figures which are very close to us are not moving either.)  I had planned to happily follow a guide along and act like I already knew this stuff. 

So luckily there was some audio in the Surrender Room since I wouldn't have known what was happening.  Who was surrendering to whom?  I didn't know (embarrassing to admit, but oh, so true.)  Ok, you history majors, and I know you are out there, seriously, there are a lot of facts out there to remember. 

Below is the Surrender Room.  While we were listening to the audio, Keylime was sitting on a bench right near the officer that is closest in the picture.  She sat there for a few minutes then got up and as she was moving away said "that guy is freaking me out."  I am with you sister! 

The thing that really made my heart jump was when we were walking out of a room into a long hallway, there would be one of the figures in the dark hallway.  Kinda waiting for you?  I jumped every time.  Seriously, I knew they would probably be there and I still got spooked. 

Below, was one of the worst.  It was so dark in this hallway and this dude was all the way at the end.  I am not sure if you can see in the picture but look hard, he is there! 

On our way out, the girls had an appointment with the Commander of Fixed Defences. 

So the girls now know a little more about WWII (oh yea, and I do too.)  It was a great history lesson and a great hands-on way to learn about it.  At dinner, we talked it all through with M so he was able to clarify the gaps (oh so many of them) that I had left in history.  

I didn't sleep well though, as I kept thinking of "Chuckie" from that awful old movie.  Thanks for that, wax guys!