tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2348464617577736454.post3838557679055482543..comments2024-03-28T21:39:05.175+08:00Comments on Senang Diri: Hunt for "lost" British Monster Guns to commence in Singapore soonDavid Boeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11401913253357584603noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2348464617577736454.post-27190696398546738112017-09-10T21:16:46.138+08:002017-09-10T21:16:46.138+08:00Buona Vista Battery Gun 2 ( 15" ) mount remai...Buona Vista Battery Gun 2 ( 15" ) mount remains are located within an international school today<br /><br />Greg TanGreg Tan ( Singaporean )https://www.blogger.com/profile/03744919800055294082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2348464617577736454.post-85413274717074617012014-01-19T22:00:16.860+08:002014-01-19T22:00:16.860+08:00I remember that the Pioneer magazine in the 1970s ...I remember that the Pioneer magazine in the 1970s [1973 onwards till end of 1979] had an article about finding some lost guns in the jungle. <br /><br />So by checking with the index or contents, some facts or photos could appear. That's all I remembered.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2348464617577736454.post-13166259971823770372014-01-18T23:03:08.049+08:002014-01-18T23:03:08.049+08:00Just a few answers to some of the comments posted ...Just a few answers to some of the comments posted here.<br /><br />Family in a pillbox<br />I'm not convinced that the structure is a pillbox. From what can be seen of it, it does not match the design or construction of pillboxes in Singapore. Not that that rules a pillbox out, as there are always exceptions to the rule. It looks to be too tall and I wonder if it was some sort of OP, perhaps for AA purposes. I wonder what happened to the family? I have heard of people living in a pillbox in the Changi area. Can anyone confirm that?<br /> <br />Landward firing of coast batteries<br />The No.s 2 & 3 guns of the Johore Battery fired into Malaya, and later towards Tengah. The Tekong 9.2-Inch and Sphinx 6-Inch Batteries on Pulau Tekong and the Changi 6-Inch Battery fired into Malaya when the Japanese made their feint attack on Pulau Ubin. Despite what I've written on the Siloso Website, I've since found evidence that the 12-Pounder at Ladang on Pulau Tekong also opened fire. The website will be amended on the next update.<br /><br />Of the 15-Inch Guns, only the Johore Battery No.s 2 & 3 Guns had sufficient traverse to give fire on the Japanese. The No.1 Gun, on its unique mounting had only an arc of fire of 180 degrees. The Buona Vista guns could, by removing buffers and magslip and other cables, have been able to traverse in the 'right' direction. However these actions would have had a major impact on the ability of the guns to bring down fire. What would have been powered before would have to be manual, thus really slowing operations down. In Singapore's heat and humidity, whatever speed that could be attained would soon slow down as men strained to keep up their effort. In addition, removing cables would have not helped had a suitable naval target appeared on scene.<br /><br />The following batteries also fired on the Japanese on Singapore Island; Pasir Laba, Labrador, Siloso and Connaught. I have read that the Connaught Battery fired onto the Malayan Mainland, but as yet have no corroborating evidence. The Connaught guns had just enough range to reach JB and parts of the southern tip of Johore. It has been written that the Serapong guns turned to fire on the Japanese advancing from the west. The author had mistaken the Siloso guns for Serapong. There is no record in the War Diaries of Serapong firing. The No.1 gun could not have been brought to bear because of the overhead splinter cover. The cover of the No.2 Gun was destroyed by a bomb on 18 Jan 1942, but the slope behind the gun which only had 14 degrees of elevation, would probably have prevented fire. I'd need to check that on maps.<br /><br />Mowbray Camp<br />Hands up to a mistake here. I know that it is now the KINS Camp, but gave incorrect information to David. I know of two blocked up entrances in the camp, and have heard of several more which have been grassed over. I know the rough location of some of these.<br /><br />British retiree<br />As the retiree in question, I can safely say that I know quite a few young Singaporeans who have an active interest in Singapore's war heritage. MINDEF Heritage Branch also has an interest. I sort of got interested in 1993, on a visit to Singapore. I happened to need a new hobby then, and a visit to Fort Siloso provided that.<br /><br />Pulau Tekong<br />I reckon that there are still substantial remains of the Tekong 9.2-Inch Battery in the bush east south east of old SISPEC. The Battery Plotting room nearby may also still exist. On the east of the island there are still many remains of the Calder Harbour AMTB Battery. If anyone can e-mail me via the Fort Siloso website details of what they have seen, and where, I'll try to put names to the remains. Any photos would be welcome.Peter Stubbshttp://www.fortsiloso.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2348464617577736454.post-10449871252760507012014-01-18T22:52:26.182+08:002014-01-18T22:52:26.182+08:00Hi Anon 7:54 PM, 8:08 PM,
Interesting images. Than...Hi Anon 7:54 PM, 8:08 PM,<br />Interesting images. Thank you for posting the links.<br /><br />Best regards,<br /><br />DavidDavid Boeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11401913253357584603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2348464617577736454.post-46094366901963745482014-01-18T20:14:54.350+08:002014-01-18T20:14:54.350+08:00Anybody can confirm the above is indeed a pillbox?...Anybody can confirm the above is indeed a pillbox?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2348464617577736454.post-10834230465265879082014-01-18T20:08:35.268+08:002014-01-18T20:08:35.268+08:00http://archivesonline.nas.sg/photographs/record-de...http://archivesonline.nas.sg/photographs/record-details/62a4b752-1162-11e3-83d5-0050568939adAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2348464617577736454.post-88251172242715586112014-01-18T19:54:50.069+08:002014-01-18T19:54:50.069+08:00https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1020298758...https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10202987585479200&set=gm.700129676674423&type=1&theater<br />The pillbox at Wan Tho AvenueAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2348464617577736454.post-32291993130708786822014-01-17T14:51:07.072+08:002014-01-17T14:51:07.072+08:00I served in the old Mowbray Camp for my NS. The ca...I served in the old Mowbray Camp for my NS. The camp has lots of tunnels and manholes (all sealed). The MT Line park is like an entire concrete structure. <br /><br />We often speculated about the tunnels there but were warned by seniors to avoid them as it would likely be water-logged / snakes /creatures infested.<br /><br />Looking at old maps, there was a ammo railway line that linked the camp from the main railway line. Likely to transport ammo from now Ayer Rajah (REME camp) area.<br /><br />The widening of the Ulu Pandan canal revealed one of the rail structure. But unfortunately it has been demolished (rear of the camp, opposite Pine Grove condo)<br /><br />Looking at the old map, Gun No. 1 was likely to be sited at the MT Line. It would not be able to fire at the Japanese in the north as there is a hill in the north part of Mowbray. The elevation of the big gun is limited.<br /><br />Looking forward to more updates on the BV battery!!! :-)<br /><br /><br />H.P.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2348464617577736454.post-33690664090106616322014-01-16T21:35:57.892+08:002014-01-16T21:35:57.892+08:00Sometime ago Mr Ong Chit Chung (demished) wrote a ...Sometime ago Mr Ong Chit Chung (demished) wrote a thesis on the subject of the Brits arttillery placement and the type of ammo used.<br />It also covered the "arc of fire".Does anyone here process a copy and willing to share?<br /><br />C/S 24SAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2348464617577736454.post-11003918130312151492014-01-16T21:19:35.106+08:002014-01-16T21:19:35.106+08:00Well, where are our Generals...even they have no i...Well, where are our Generals...even they have no ideas about this...no interest in the history of the SAF...and what are they there for...decorating / spending themselves with billions of dollars of worthless products.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2348464617577736454.post-16255008038382197792014-01-16T14:46:07.900+08:002014-01-16T14:46:07.900+08:00I understand these guns must have been deliberatel...I understand these guns must have been deliberately buried. Who would do that and why? They are not dangerous.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2348464617577736454.post-80340094257400021682014-01-16T12:52:12.694+08:002014-01-16T12:52:12.694+08:00Seen several old concrete fortifications on pulau ...Seen several old concrete fortifications on pulau tekong during my NS days there from 1990-92. I believe they are from WW2 from their weathering and abandonment. Found one interesting camouflaged one deep in the forest covered in vegetation. Also what appears to be gun placements along the southeast coast of the island. Dunno after the recent Tekong reclaimation if they are still there. If anyone is interested to know their locations please feel free to contact me.Justinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2348464617577736454.post-8645324227673140392014-01-16T12:32:07.786+08:002014-01-16T12:32:07.786+08:00Appear at Oxley.Appear at Oxley.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2348464617577736454.post-71834578981518742012014-01-16T12:08:28.941+08:002014-01-16T12:08:28.941+08:00Hi Anon 10:12AM,
Interesting snippet about the Wan...Hi Anon 10:12AM,<br />Interesting snippet about the Wan Tho Ave pillbox. Am not aware of this one. Possibly similar to the one now at Pasir Panjang?<br /><br />Hi Anon 10:42AM,<br />re: 15". SG had one Mark 1 mounting capable of 180-degrees traverse. Rest were Mark 2 mountings capable of all-round traverse.<br /><br />Issue was lack of proper ammo for land targets as 15" shells were all armour piercing. Zero HE were supplied. The Brits also lacked range tables for effective fire control toward Johor. <br /><br />That said, the impression that the guns pointed the wrong way is debatable as they did their job of deterring seaborne attack. 15" guns did perform fire missions towards Johor, more psychological effect than real military value. <br /><br />Hi Anon 10:43AM,<br />Not sure of start date. Will continue monitoring.<br /><br />Hi Anon 11:05AM,<br />CONOPS is to keep threats at bay as far from SG as possible, predicated on good intel and SAF's long reach.<br /><br />Hi Anon 11:11AM,<br />Thank you for the clarification. Yes, that is one of the locations of interest.<br /><br />Hi Anon 11:27AM,<br />Hrmmm... Because there's no interest? Because it is not on the work plan? Doesn't contribute to anyone's KPI? Doesn't have a justifiable ROI? Yes, it's sad.<br /><br />It would probably take some giant sink hole to one day appear and damage people's property(compen$ation!) before officialdom does anything.<br /><br />Best regards,<br /><br /><br />DavidDavid Boeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11401913253357584603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2348464617577736454.post-22737812224703561932014-01-16T11:27:37.743+08:002014-01-16T11:27:37.743+08:00Check out http://www.fortsiloso.com/batteries/bv/b...Check out http://www.fortsiloso.com/batteries/bv/bv.htm<br /><br />That is the writeup for the BV battery by Peter Stubbs. One can only imagine why a British retiree is spearheading the effort to preserve our war heritage, instead of an appropriate SG govt agency instead...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2348464617577736454.post-69279527322247517402014-01-16T11:11:44.437+08:002014-01-16T11:11:44.437+08:00Just a couple of points of clarification, Mowbray ...Just a couple of points of clarification, Mowbray camp has moved to Yew Tee, and the former site that the junction of Ulu Pandan Road and Clementi Road is now a Police camp(KINS). This former site is built on a hill with many low lying buildings (formerly built by the British) that still stand today. There is a walled-up entrance at one corner of the camp that no one seems to know where it leads to. Maybe that might help. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2348464617577736454.post-13831142278864937392014-01-16T11:05:12.186+08:002014-01-16T11:05:12.186+08:00Currently does sg needs land based ASM to counter ...Currently does sg needs land based ASM to counter sea bourne threats?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2348464617577736454.post-28143687082181323072014-01-16T10:43:35.654+08:002014-01-16T10:43:35.654+08:00Off topic - any idea what the upcoming upgrades to...Off topic - any idea what the upcoming upgrades to our F-16 will be?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2348464617577736454.post-50490661649406956482014-01-16T10:42:47.090+08:002014-01-16T10:42:47.090+08:00Could these shore batteries be aimed toward Johore...Could these shore batteries be aimed toward Johore and at the Japanese landing force in 1942? I read that those guns in Sentosa could only point out to sea and not toward Johore, and hence were useless against attack from the north.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2348464617577736454.post-32468528492840477502014-01-16T10:12:15.048+08:002014-01-16T10:12:15.048+08:00My interest in WWII fortifications was also piqued...My interest in WWII fortifications was also piqued by an article about a family living in an abandoned pillbox at Wan Tho Avenue, in the 50's. Does anyone have any memory of such a structure this much inland in Singapore. Wan Tho Avenue is at Potong Pasir.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com