The Passionate Islanders: A Factual Story, Singapore at War 1941-42
Ralph Modder
Singapore: Horizon Books, 2010
ISBN: 9789810870379

The Passionate Islanders is based on factual events and situations about the light and darker sides of life in Singapore during British colonial rule as well as before and during the Japanese invasion of Malaya in December 1941 and Singapore in February 1942.

Singapore was the prime target for Japanese bombers, causing heavy casualties among the civilian population. Hotels and schools became casualty stations while private vehicles substituted for ambulances.

In a spirited effort to relieve the grave crisis, civilians of various races bravely helped in rescues and fire-fighting with make-shift equipment, also providing first-aid, food and temporary shelter for the hundreds of homeless.

This indomitable Singapore Spirit was seen after the Japanese invasion on 8 February 1942, when poorly-armed and hastily-trained Chinese volunteers of Dalforce fought fierce hand-to-hand battles in the north, west and northwest. In the southwest, units of the 1st and 2nd battalions of the Malay Regiment heroically held up the advance of the Japanese 18th Division in the battle of Opium Hill on 13-14 February. Singapore surrendered on 15 February.