Pasir Panjang Pillbox facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pasir Panjang Pillbox |
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|---|---|
| Part of World War II-era Defence of Singapore | |
| Singapore | |
Pasir Panjang Pillbox, here photographed in 2006.
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| Coordinates | 1°17′20″N 103°46′41″E / 1.289°N 103.778167°E |
| Site information | |
| Controlled by | British military (former) |
| Open to the public |
Yes (externally only; access inside the pillbox is not allowed) |
| Condition | Good |
| Site history | |
| Built | pre-WWII |
| Built by | British military |
| Materials | Concrete (reinforced) and steel |
| Battles/wars | Battle of Pasir Panjang |
| Events | Second World War |
| Garrison information | |
| Current commander |
None |
| Past commanders |
Unknown |
| Garrison | occupied by British military forces in Singapore (former) |
| Occupants | British military (former) |
The Pasir Panjang Pillbox is a strong concrete building from World War II. It is located in Pasir Panjang, in the southwest part of Singapore. This special structure was built to help defend Singapore during the war. It's like a small, tough fort designed to protect soldiers.
Contents
What is a Pillbox?
A pillbox is a type of small, strong building used for defense. It's usually made of concrete and has small openings. These openings let soldiers fire weapons at enemies while staying safe inside. Pillboxes are often built in important places. They help protect coastlines or key areas from attack.
History of the Pasir Panjang Pillbox
Singapore's Wartime Defenses
Before Japan invaded Malaya and Singapore, the British military built many defenses. This happened between 1941 and 1942 during World War II. They built concrete pillboxes along Singapore's eastern and western coasts. The Pasir Panjang Pillbox was one of these important structures. It was designed to protect the coastline from enemy landings.
The Battle of Pasir Panjang
The Pasir Panjang Pillbox played a role in the Battle of Pasir Panjang. This battle was a fierce fight during the Japanese invasion of Singapore. British and local forces bravely defended the area. The pillbox offered a strong point for soldiers to fight from. It helped them resist the attacking enemy.
Exploring the Pillbox Today
The Pasir Panjang Pillbox is still standing today. It is a reminder of Singapore's wartime past. The structure is made of very strong reinforced concrete and steel. This is why it has lasted so long.
You can visit the pillbox from the outside. However, the entrance door has been sealed up. This means you cannot go inside the pillbox. There is also a special memorial plaque in front of it. The National Heritage Board placed it there. This plaque tells visitors about the pillbox's history. It helps people remember the brave soldiers who defended Singapore.
The pillbox has special features for defense. It has "gun embrasures," which are small holes. Soldiers could fire their machine guns through these holes. There's also a rounded observation "cupola" on the roof. This allowed soldiers to look out and spot enemies. An angled wall behind the pillbox gave extra protection. It helped shield soldiers defending the rear.
Gallery
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The Pasir Panjang Machine Gun Pillbox.
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An angled defensive-wall behind the pillbox offers protection to those defending the rear of the structure (albeit having little to no protection over their heads without a roof).
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A memorial plaque established by Singapore's National Heritage Board (NHB) in front of the pillbox commemorating the history of the structure.
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The memorial plaque's content shown here.
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The entrance-door into the pillbox, now having been sealed up and access inside prohibited.
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The rear-area of the pillbox, with square holes placed in the defensive-wall provided to allow troops to fire on approaching enemy soldiers getting too close to entering the structure.
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The entrance-door shown here together with one of the pillbox's gun embrasures.
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Two gun embrasures shown together with the rounded observation cupola on the roof of the pillbox.
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A wide-angle view of the Pasir Panjang Pillbox.
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Another wide-angle view of the historic structure.
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The entrance-door of the pillbox with the top of the observation cupola also seen.
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The front of the pillbox towards which an enemy force would face.
