Surrender of the Japanese Forces

A historic moment that occurred at City Hall was the official surrender of Japanese forces on the 12th of September 1945. This marked the end of Japanese rule over Singapore. The Japanese delegation was led by General Itagaki Seishiro under the escort of Allied soldiers, walking towards City Hall to sign the Instrument of Surrender. From an eyewitness account: "On the steps were the ceremonial guard, then the Japanese arrived. I think it was Field Marshall Terauchi who surrendered his sword. Jubilation of course, that was the day that everyone was waiting for… (When the Japanese came, the atmosphere was) one of silence. What went through people's minds was 'is this really happening'?" Image © National Archives of Indonesia Interviewee: John Oates, Prisoners-of-War project