AUSTRALIA

Records were mainly acquired from the National Archives of Australia. Some were acquired from the State Library of New South Wales. The records from the National Archives of Australia focused mainly on political, diplomatic and military issues. A majority of these files belong to the Department of External Affairs. Others come from the Prime Minister’s Department and the Cabinet Office.

The following section highlights the record items acquired from Australia

National Archives of Australia

Some of the records acquired from the National Archives of Australia include Singapore – Top Secret Documents 1956 – 1966. These two reports from Singapore and Kuala Lumpur are about the planned arrest of communist subversives in Singapore and Malaysia in 1962, and Malaysia’s withdrawal from the Internal Security Council. Other records include United Kingdom – Defence Policy which cover the period May 1967 – May 1968. These records pertain to Britain’s withdrawal of its military presence in Asia. Communism in South East Asia – General is a British survey of subversive communist activity in the Far East in 1959; and Air Defence of Malaysia and Singapore, includes various papers on defence requirements and co-operation between Singapore and Malaysia in 1968.

Period : 1945 – 1971

Microfilm No. : NAB 2893, NAB2962, NAB 0703 – NAB 0731

Finding Aid : Australian Acquisition List

Access : B

State Library of New South Wales

Javanese letters written by Sir Stamford Raffles to Captain Philip Parker King, 1817-1822

A set of letters known as Raffles Letters were acquired from the SLNSW. These letters were written by Sir Stamford Raffles to Captain Philip Parker King (1791- 1856) during King’s surveying expedition around the coast of northern Australia in 1817 – 1822. Period : 1817 – 1822 Microfilm No. : NAB 2968 Finding Aid : Australian Acquisition List Access : B

JAPAN

The acquisitions from Japan come mainly from antiquated book shops, private collections, Japanese publications like the Asahi Graph, Weekly Photo News, Greater East Asia War Magazines etc. This collection includes mainly photographs, old maps, Japanese magazines and old books published in the 1940s or earlier.

The following section highlights the record items acquired from Japan.

A collection of "Greater East Asia War" Magazines

Japanese ladies riding a rickshaw during Japanese Occupation, 1943

These 10 pictorial magazines published during the Japanese Occupation will be a visual treat for those who are interested in life in Singapore during that period. Photographs that appear in the magazine include the surrender of Singapore; the Yes/No Conference’ the Malay Operation; British soldiers working in Syonan-to at the POW camp; celebration of Japan’s victory; the re-building of Syonan-To; the Emperor’s birthday etc Period : 1942 – 1945 Microfilm No. : NAB 2968 Finding Aid : Japan Acquisition list Access : B

A collection of the "Weekly Photo News" Magazines

The Weekly Photo News magazine collection is another pictorial magazine published during the Japanese Occupation. In this collection, researchers will find particularly interesting photographs of POWs lining up to meet General Yamashita; a sports meeting at the Army hospital; the streets of Singapore during the period; and generally how life in Singapore was portrayed as having improved since the Japanese occupied the country.

Period : 1942

Microfilm no. : NAB 2950

Finding Aid : Japan Acquisition list

Access : A

Reports by Japanese Scholar Professor Nobuo Muroga

This is an interesting collection of 2 booklets written in Japanese by Professor Muroga, a leading expert in old maps in 1941 prior to Japan’s attack on Singapore; and in compliance to a request by the Japanese Imperial Army. One is a military and geographical study of Singapore written for the Japanese Army about the ways in which Singapore can be successfully attacked; and the other is an analysis of Britain and France’s occupation of Indochina, also issued to the Japanese Army. An English translation is available on the same microfilm.

Period : 1939 / 1941

Microfilm No. : NAB 2925

Finding Aid : Japan Acquisition List

Access : A

UNITED KINGDOM

Some of the main acquisitions for the year 2000 include records from the Liddell Hart Centre for Military Archives and the Public Records Office. The highlights are below:

The following section highlights the record items acquired from the UK.

Liddell Hart Centre for Military Archives

From the Liddell Hart Centre for Military Archives comes a compilation made by Major G. Wort during his internment at the Changi POW Camp from 1942 – 1945. Entitled Wort’s Account of the Malay Regiment Campaign, the contents include roll of British Officers by rank and seniority, distribution of British & Malay Officers by Companies, statistics and "Diary of the Officer Commanding 1st Battalion the Malay Regiment during the Battle of Singapore"

Period : 1942 – 1945

Microfilm No. : NAB 0734

Finding Aid : UK Acquisition List

Access : A

Public Record Office

Acquired from the PRO are record series from the Air Ministry 9 - South East Asia: Strategic Planning; and Sumatra-Malaya : Strategy. This class comprises records of the Deputy Director of Plans in the Directorate of Operations & Intelligence, and from 1939, of the Director of Plans under the Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Policy) and Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Operations). These records concern the operation and strategic planning of the department before and during World War II.

Period : 1942 – 1943

Microfilm No. : NAB 0732; NAB 0733

Finding Aid : UK Acquisition List

Access : A

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

From the USA, the NAS acquired records pertaining to Singapore and the region from the National Archives & Records Administration (NARA).

The following section highlights some record items acquired from NARA, USA.

General reports and analysis

These records feature reports and analysis on Singapore & Malayan Union’s trade relations; import and export policies and their effects; conditions of Malaya after the war; and review on Singapore’s labour troubles.

Period : 1946-1947

Microfilm No : NAB 2878; NAB 2940

Finding Aid : US Acquisition List

Access : A

Records of the Singapore Consulate General

This set features records of the Singapore Consulate General pertaining to trade missions and development between Singapore / Malaya with Taiwan and China; and bimonthly political reports.

Period : 1956-1958; 1936-1937

Microfilm No : NAB 2957

Finding Aid : US Acquisition List

Access : A

United States Information Agency (USIA)

This set consists of files (survey, data analysis and project plans) on projects such as library patronage and media habits which were conducted in Singapore and Malaya.

Period : 1961-1963

Microfilm No : NAB 2960

Finding Aid : US Acquisition List

Access : A

General Records of the Department of State

This set of records consists of weekly reports submitted by the different units to provide political, military & psychological analysis and review of Singapore and Malaya.

Period : 1963

Microfilm No : NAB 2972

Finding Aid : US Acquisition List

Access : A

< Record Release 2002