"The museum itself is situated within the Batu Maung Fort – a defensive garrison built into a cliff by the British Royal Engineers in 1930. Constructed with the intention to protect Penang Island from naval attacks, the fort was manned by British, Malay and Sikh soldiers along with a series of cannons and anti-aircraft guns."
Going up the hill to see the War Museum
The War Museum is situated in Batu Maung.
This fishing town is close to the airport of Penang. The museum is a 70 year
old former British fort. In the colonial period of the Second World War the
British were thinking that the enemy would attack from the sea, and thus
they constructed the bunkers and enforcement with cannons aimed to the sea.
As it turn out, the Japanese invaded by land, coming down the Peninsula, and
rendering the preparation moot.
The fort was rediscovered by Johari Shafi.
He's the operations manager now. The fort was in ww2 manned by soldier of
different races: English, Indians and (mostly) Malays. When the fort fell to
Japanese hands, parts of it were turned into torture chambers where executions took place.
Like other countries during the Second World War, Malaysia (and Penang)
suffered greatly. Lives were lost, families were torn apart, homes were
razed and food was scarce. For sure, the war left no fond memories for those
who suffered through it.
The fort is telling you stories covering all aspects of life in wartime.
Pictures of the invasion, prisoners of war, the daily life in the camp and
the torturing purpose to encourage the study and understanding of the
history of modern war and how it affects our lives and as a memorial to those who
died defending the country. The parts of the fort that have been restored so far are the aforementioned
torture chamber, medical infirmary, ammunition store, observation tower,
canon firing bay, well, generator room, quarters, pill boxes, tunnels, lock
up and cook house.
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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.
An additional, one firing range observation tower, several
Anti Aircraft gun pit with underground tunnels, one
searchlight battery, 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.
This 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.
Two large 6 inch 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 and to protect British Navy in the Penang
Harbour.
An additional, one firing range observation tower, several Anti Aircraft
gun pit with underground tunnels, one searchlight battery, 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.
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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 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.
Sergeant John Wolf didn't make it (have
a look at the picture on the left). His cross and helmet are still in the museum in Batu Maung.
The museum is the only one of its kind in Malaysia.
Malaysia is a strife-free country. They can go about their business with little or no worry. Be that as it
may, the museum will serve to continually remind all of us. We must not forget the importance of maintaining peace in the world.
When I visited the museum in 2005 it was a rainy day. We got umbrella's and raincoats at the ticket counter. We had to pay RM10 for a ticket. For children it's RM5.
Address: Lot 1350 Mukim 12,
Merah Barat Daya,
Batu Maung,
11960 Penang
Tel: 016-421 3606 or 04-391 0067
Fax: 04-644 8015
Opened seven days a week (including public holidays),
from 9:00am to 7:00pm.
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By booking at this non commercial site, you'll keep this site alive!
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