Singapore: Two WWII Hand Grenades Found in Different Locations, Different Times

Two WWII hand grenades were found in two different locations and one different times in Singapore.

The first of the two hand grenades was found in a tree located close the Outram subway station which was just near downtown Singapore last June 5, Thursday, Yahoo News India reported. A number of construction workers were the ones who spotted the relic while they were resting near the tree and noticed a heart-shaped crevice on its trunk. Upon closer inspection, they found out that it was one of the vintage WWII hand grenades used during the war.

Personnel from the Singaporean Army were able ton properly dispose the said vintage explosive.

The second one of the two WWII hand grenades was found at a construction site located near Marine Parade last Thursday, June 19, Stomp reported. The Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) Team of the Singapore Armed Forces was immediately sent to the area. They were the ones who identified the relic as a hand grenade.

After the said team assessed that the said remnant of WWII hand grenades used in the war was safe to handle, they speedily transported it to a safe area where it was disposed.

Both incidents were noted by the Singapore Armed Forces in their Facebook page.

It can be remembered that before the Second World War broke out, Singapore had been a major British colony and an Allies’ military base in southeast Asia. It was even nicknamed Gibraltar of the East.

It fell into the hands of the Japanese forces in what was dubbed as the Battle of Singapore (also known as the Fall of Singapore) on February 15, 1942. The said fall of the country was called by then Prime Minister Winston Churchill as the worst disaster and biggest surrender in whole British history.

An estimated 80,000 Allied soldiers were taken in by the Japanese army as prisoners of war after Singapore’s fall. The two WWII hand grenades found just within this month were memorabilia of those trying times.

Heziel Pitogo

Heziel Pitogo is one of the authors writing for WAR HISTORY ONLINE