Outstanding book -- best I have ever read on the subject. The book covers the Singapore fortifications from the first Victorian efforts though the belated planning and construction efforts of the 1930s. The discussions of the many plans of the 1920s and 1930s are especially interesting. Several maps showing the locations of the batteries and fortifications at various times are included. An appendix describes the armament history of every fortification and battery. There is also some information on the performance of the various guns. The Japanese attack on Singapore island in February 1942 is also described briefly.
Some of the more incredible discussions are on the never-ending studies and dithering in the 1920s and 1930s over what armaments should be provided and where they should be located. It took years to investigate, ponder, delay, not make a decision-- and then there would be a change in government in London or a new military commander in Singapore and it would start all over. The solution to every set of recommendations was to form a new committee, perform more studies, and then still not make a firm decision. Eventually things reached a crisis point in the late 1930s and something was actually done. Unfortunately, the civilian leadership in London and the military leadership in Singapore and Malaya were so timid and incompetent that it was all for nought.
There is a concluding chapter describing the state of the guns and fortifications today, with several photos. Most of the old fortifications have disappeared as Singapore has grown and expanded from a population of 10 thousand in the 1840s to over 5 million today. A few structures have survived, although almost all the guns are gone.
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- James WellsReviewed in the United Kingdom on July 19, 2017
it never really stood a chance of holding out aginast the better motivated Japanese
