Entrance to Old Tekong Battery

Gazing at this unassuming entrance, could you imagine the echoes of colossal artillery fire that once reverberated here at the Entrance to Old Tekong Battery? This seemingly tranquil spot on Pulau Tekong holds the remnants of a strategic military installation, once a vital part of Singapore’s coastal defense system. The Entrance to Old Tekong Battery served as a gateway to a network of fortifications and gun emplacements. These emplacements housed powerful artillery pieces, intended to protect Singapore’s eastern flank from potential naval threats. Pulau Tekong, along with Changi and Pengerang in Johor, formed a defensive triangle guarding the Straits of Johor and the vital naval and air bases at Seletar. Records from the National Archives of Singapore show that the Sphinx battery on Pulau Tekong was under construction in 1934, with photographs detailing the excavations for emplacements and magazines. This Entrance to Old Tekong Battery played a crucial role in these defenses. Sadly, the guns at this Entrance to Old Tekong Battery, along with others at various locations, were destroyed by the British forces just before Singapore fell to the Japanese in February 1942. This act of destruction aimed to prevent the weaponry from falling into enemy hands. Though now just ruins, the Entrance to Old Tekong Battery serves as a silent testament to a turbulent chapter in Singapore’s history. It stands as a reminder of the island’s strategic importance and the efforts taken to safeguard its shores. The Entrance to Old Tekong Battery, though seemingly insignificant now, offers a glimpse into a complex past, marked by strategic calculations and the looming threat of war.