Ruined and overgrown. That’s how the Fourth Gun Position looked decades ago. This wasn’t always a quiet nature reserve. It’s a historic battlefield. A part of Fort Pasir Panjang.
The Fourth Gun Position is one of four remaining gun platforms from the Labrador Battery. Built by the British in 1864 it was finished in 1878. This coastal fort guarded Keppel Harbour’s western entrance. It was part of a larger coastal defence system. The British believed an invasion would likely come from the sea.
The guns here were originally pointed towards the ocean. But during World War II things changed. In February 1942 facing the advancing Japanese army they were turned almost 180 degrees. They fired on the enemy. However the guns proved ineffective against land forces. Their flat trajectory wasn’t ideal for hitting ground targets. They were designed for ships not soldiers.
This multi-ethnic unit operated the guns. Malay soldiers handled the searchlights. Indian troops manned the artillery. British commanders gave the orders. They fought bravely. They were part of a larger defensive strategy. But Singapore fell anyway.
After the war the Fourth Gun Position was abandoned. Over time nature reclaimed the site. The guns and bunkers were hidden by vegetation. It became overgrown and forgotten. Until restoration efforts brought it back to life. Now you see it as a reminder of Singapore’s wartime past.
Today you can still see some of the original structures. These include bunkers and underground tunnels. While the entrances are sealed they are preserved. They are a testament to the past. To the soldiers who served here. To the battles fought on this very ground. The Fourth Gun Position is more than just a historic relic. It is a powerful symbol. A reminder of Singapore’s resilience and its history. It’s a place where history whispers to us. Listen closely. Can you hear it?