Jahore Battery

Johore Battery

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For a description of the Johore Battery see History of Changi, pp. 28-29, H.A. Probert, (Changi) Prison Industries, First Edition 1965. Was available at Changi Prison Museum - but may not be in print any longer.

Recently rediscovered and opened to the public is the Johore Battery. Located near the new Changi Prison Museum. (Turn off Upper Changi Road east onto Cosford Road. )

Entrance banner

This site once housed three 15-inch guns. (Two others like these were located at Buona Vista Battery.) As part of the island ring of 29 costal guns they took part in the defense of Singapore February 4 through 12, 1942. They were used in the defense of the causeway, Battle of Bukit Timah and the Battle of Pasir Panjang. After firing over 190 rounds the British destroyed the guns 12 February 1942. Click here to view the information plaque at the site.

Battery construction started in the mid 1930's, at a spot called Bee Hoe. The final gun was mounted in 1938. The guns were similar to ones used in the HMS Rodney and HMS Nelson. Today the site has a stylized-reconstructed 15" gun, to give an idea of its size. In the rear of the gun is a wheel that allows the visitor to rotate the gun.

In the rear is a crank to move the gun

Business end of a 15" (38 cm) gun

Also laid out on the site are concrete outlines showing where the remaining underground bunkers are located. Originally the bunkers went out into what is now Changi Airport. One tunnel entrance is open to view. Apparently plans are in place to restore the bunkers and open them to the public. For now you need to be satisfied to only look in.

Concrete outline of underground bunkers

Bunker view - DO NOT ENTER

There is also a nice display of a 15" shell, allowing the visitor to try to lift it!

15" shell balance

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