The battlebox in Singapore

[Raz]

Located at Fort Canning hill in Singapore is the Battlebox. A 1938 constructed underground
bunker system some 9 meters underground.

The Battlebox was the center of operations during WW2 for Malaya Command.
From this location they commanded anti aircraft defences, gun operations, and troop deployments.
This was also the very location that Percival and his commanders made the decision to surrender.

This bunker was only recently re-opened in the early 1990's. It had suffered from flood damage
and much of the equipment inside had been looted since the war. Today it is now refurbished and
fully restored.

Luckily on my visit I went early morning so was the only person there. It was a guided tour visit and
I was led around by this old hard of hearing guide. I noted there was a big sign next to the
entrance that said NO PHOTOGRAPHY. As I was the only one there the old guy said it was okay to
take some pics :-)

The main entrance into the Battlebox.


Rear exit entrance.

[Raz]

The main theme to the tour was the day that Singapore fell. Lots of sound effects
and animatronic waxwork figures were used to bring the whole interior alive, to a certain
extent at any rate....

Telephone exchange:


Signals:


Percivals office

[Raz]

The Fortress Plotting room. The guide said that the original table including everything else
made of wood in the battlebox had been eaten by termites when it was sealed up after the war.


The door into hell. During the Japanese occupation this door led into a black painted walled cell.
The kepetei allegedly tortured and killed British and Australian officers in there. Today what
lies behind this door looks to be extra display space or a small AV theatre.

[Raz]

Feb 15th 1942, Percival and his high command.
Percival with great dissatisfaction was outvoted by his commanders and it was decided to surrender.
Percival had wanted instead an all out counter attack but with a deteriorating water supply and
demoralized troops it was already out of his hands.

[Raz]

Some of the displays which are located in the bunkers old engine room.



Japanese surrender flag taken at Fort Canning by British troops.

[Raz]

The main escape shaft to the surface.


And lastly, Commander of fixed defences, Brigadier Curtis.



I've got many other photos I have taken from my WW2 related trips around Singapore and Malaysia.
I will slowly start posting them up if anyone is interested.

[von Poop]

Great stuff Raz,
Always nice to see preservation of WW2 bits and pieces going on worldwide.

Cheers,
Adam.

[spidge]

Very good photos Raz. Thanks for posting those.

Still a very hot topic 65 years down the track.

[spidge]

Originally Posted by Raz

Feb 15th 1942, Percival and his high command.
Percival with great dissatisfaction was outvoted by his commanders and it was decided to surrender.
Percival had wanted instead an all out counter attack but with a deteriorating water supply and
demoralized troops it was already out of his hands.

Wasn't it Halsey who said to Spruance, (Midway)
"You once told me, When you're in Command, Command!