Atop Fort Canning sits one of the most under-rated World War II heritage sites in Singapore: The Battle Box. This massive underground bunker was the nerve centre of the so-called Fortress Singapore, and it was here that the defences of Singapore were coordinated. It was also here that the final deliberations were made between Lieutenant-General A. E. Percival and his staff to surrender to the invading Japanese. Ian and Nikki recently visited the Battle Box and blog about their visit:

Leaning on the table is a figurine of General Percival, who commanded the Allied forces in Malaya at the time. The meeting depicted in this room is a discussion that leads up to the decision to surrender. An act Winston Churchill called “the worst disaster and largest capitulation in British history.” In the meeting shown here Percival suggests alternatives, including a counter attack and the officers on his staff convince him that it would be futile.

Read about Ian and Nikki’s visit to the Battle Box.

Tags: Battle Box, Fort Canning, Fall of Singapore, Fortress Singapore, World War II