Malaya Historical Group :: MHG
Aviation and Military Archaeology may cover almost any form of research into or collecting of artifacts connected with the history of aviation and military relics.

If you have any information about any war relics and air wrecks in our country, please send an email to me malayahg@gmail
 

At dawn on December 17, the Japanese came ashore from small boats and seized the island without losing a soldier. They were intrigued to discover the radio station in Penang was not destroyed by the British before they departed, and used it to broadcast propaganda to Malaya and Singapore

From under Japanese Occupation, it was used again to protect Japanese shipping from Allied attack mainly from British and American Subs.

After ww2, it was abandoned. Many of the fittings were stripped and scrap. Two large batteries guns were missing. 

At least after 60 years, Penang Government decided to restored the complex and proposed as Penang War Museum. 

When MHG visit the site, all visitors were charged RM5 per entries. Some of the building were kept clean but lack of fittings which still missing. Some information were mistakenly being used. Perhaps someday, we can see that these complex can turn to be as Fort Siloso in Singapore. 

This Penang War Museum was erected on the original defence complex built by British early dated before ww2 due to importance to protect Penang Harbour from sea attack. British were learn hard from it because in ww1, a lonely German Raiders Emden raided Penang Harbour undetected and making her leisurely attack at British ship unopposed. At these attack, several ship damage and 2 ship sunk. One ship was Russian cruiser Zhemchug sunk to the bottom of Penang Harbour.

Two large 9.2inch coastal gun batteries were built which can traversed into straits of Penang. These guns can be fired to incoming enemy ship before they can reaching Penang Harbour. The 9.2 B L (breech loading) Gun was designed during the late 19th Century by the British to counter the German 24cm Gun made by Krupp of Essen. It was first used as a naval gun before being adopted for coastal defence batteries in 1899-1900. By 1914, 9.2" BL Coastal Guns were in service throughout British Empire.

And additional, one firing range observation tower, several Anti Aircraft gun pit with underground tunnels, logistic centers, halls, offices, ventilation shafts, sleeping quarters, cook houses as well as medical infirmary enough to  accommodated one regiment. At least several pillboxes were built to protect from sea landings. These complex was constructed on 20 acres of land, it is an integrated fortress on Bukit Batu Maung or Bukit Punjab. The British Royal Engineers and a work force comprises of local laborers blasted and dug into the hill to create a fort.

One gun emplacement position

During ww2, there was a limited resources on this complex but mainly the fort were not being used due to attack were mainly from north section of Penang Island where Georgetown was located. Under Brigadier C.A. Lyon, Penang was defend by

• The Penang Signal Section
• Royal Corps of Signals 8th Heavy Battery
• HKSRA 36th Fortress Company
• Royal Engineers 5/14th Punjab Regiment 3rd Battalion
• The Straits Settlement Volunteer Force (Penang and Province Wellesley Volunteer Force) - 3 Battalion

Battery Command Post with Range Finder and Observation Tower

It was known well that Penang was not being prepared to Japanese invaders. Most of the defense were consisted of light machineguns and several Bofors anti-aircraft and most of these guns were located to protect Butterworth airfield.

One Anti Aircraft Gun Pit with twin .303 Lewis machinegun mounting