Forts of Sentosa

Seemingly forgotten in the ever-changing and bustling city of Singapore, the forts of Sentosa stand as remnants of a bygone era. Despite having played pivotal and strategic roles in most of Singapore’s conflicts, the forts are the last of their kind in this small country. Fort Seranpong, Fort Connaught and Mount Imbiah Battery deserve just as much recognition as their larger counterpart: Fort Siloso.

Named after the hill, Fort Seranpong became fully operational in 1887. In the early 1940s, during the midst of the Second World War, it was manned by the joint artillery of Hong Kong and Singapore. Although it was operational, a lack of records suggests it never fired at enemy forces. (Coincidentally, it was also then bombed by them). In an attempt to prevent the Japanese from using the fort, British engineers destroyed the battery and its gun just before surrendering to them. However, with reconstruction, the fort was last used in the 1960s during the confrontation known as Konfrontasi.

Nestled in Sentosa’s golf club, Fort Connaught tranquilly remains hidden in the jungle. Formerly known as Blakang Mati East Battery, in honour of Duke Connaught’s visit to the country, Singapore renamed it. Despite Japan’s widely recognised naval advantage, it attacked Singapore overland through Malaya rather than by sea. Unbeknownst to the enemy forces, the guns at the fort could be turned to face them. Although this was a clever technical advantage, Singapore surrendered. Fortunately, the site would not be used again after the war; however, it remains forgotten. The site has sadly been in decay since, due to the redevelopment of the island for commercial usage in the 1960s.

Just adjacent to its famous sibling (Fort Siloso), engineer Colonial Henry McCallum commissioned Mount Imbiah Battery and oversaw its construction in 1878. Chinese coolies working on the fort hauled heavy artillery and other equipment through an intense parbuckling system, as no roads led up to the hill. Just like Fort Connaught, the guns could turn and face the north. Despite the impressive artillery installed, it would prove no match for Japan’s ironclad warships. By the 1960s, the guns of Fort Siloso and Mount Imbiah Battery became non-operational.

Though built to guard the seas, Sentosa’s forts stand as reminders of Singapore’s gruelling experience during the Second World War. While they may not boast a bold presence, their quiet history forms an essential part of the nation’s story.