Singapore Battle Box

Located 9 metres underneath Fort Canning Hill, the Battle Box was a 22-room bomb-proof bunker built by the British during World War II.

It was akin to Winston Churchill’s war cabinet rooms and was used as Britain’s HQ Malaya Command Centre during their Malayan Campaign.

The bunker’s existence was such a closely guarded secret that the British High Commission was not aware of it until recent years.

It was sealed up after the war and unsealed briefly in 1988. Restoration work on the Battle Box started in 1995 and by 1997, it was officially opened to the public.

Today, through the use of animatronics, audio-visual effects and wax figures clothed by the people who worked in London’s Madame Tussauds’ Wax Museum, visitors can relive the hours leading up to Singapore’s surrender to the Japanese.

The price of admission includes a guided tour. At the ticketing office, visitors are issued tickets that have been designed to resemble security passes used during World War II.

Before the tour starts, visitors are treated to a video screening of the events leading up to the Japanese invasion of Singapore. This sets the stage for what they are about to experience.

After the screening ends, the tour guide leads them to the bunker located just a few steps away from the ticketing office. At the entrance, visitors are greeted with the sight of a life-like wax figure of a British soldier.

The instance they set foot in the bunker, the sounds of destruction can be heard loud and clear. With the sounds of air raid sirens and falling bombs ringing in their ears, it is like travelling back in time to the day Singapore fell to the Japanese on 15 Feb 1942.

The tour guide issues visitors with wireless headsets which provide audio commentaries in 6 different languages (English, Mandarin, Malay, Tamil, Japanese and Korean). They are then led through the various rooms and the tour guide patiently explains the function of each room. The walls of some of the rooms are covered with posters advising caution against careless talk such as “loose lips sink ships”. Japanese graffiti can also been seen in the Signal Control Room.

The tour ends in the Commander Anti-Aircraft Defence Room. This room is of historical significance as it is where the fateful decision to surrender was made. It is without a doubt the climax of the tour. Many know that General Percival was the man who surrendered Singapore to the Japanese, but few know that he did so reluctantly. This is apparent through the 10-minute animatronic re-enactment based on the actual minutes of the command conference held in the very same room.

Once the tour concludes, visitors are free to explore the small museum and souvenir shop located at the end of the bunker.

Address
51 Canning Rise, Singapore 179872

Tel: (65) 6333 0510
Fax: (65) 6333 0590

Opening Hours
Daily: 10.00am - 6.00pm
Last admission at 5.00pm
Closed on 1st day of Chinese New Year

Admission
Adult: SGD 8
Child (below 12 years old): SGD 5
Groups of 40 people and above: SGD 3

Getting There
By MRT: Dhoby Ghaut (NE6)(NS24). Walk towards Fort Canning Road.
By Bus: 7, 14, 16, 36, 64, 65, 77, 106, 111, 124, 162, 162X, 167, 171, 174, 190, 502, 700, 700A

As bus services are subject to change, please refer to SBS Transit for latest information.

(Tip: Search for Landmark > Places of General Interest > Fort Canning Park)

Website
Singapore Fort Canning - The Battle Box

Related books
Secrets of the Battlebox: The History and Role of Britain's Command HQ in the Malayan Campaign

Photo Gallery
Click here to view more pictures