CAB7-4 — Page 293

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"Obstacles to Enemy's Advance from Tanjong Katong.

52. (1.) Should the attacking force choose the first place, it would either try and advance into Singapore by the Kallang Road, or, taking the cross-roads, hit the Sirangun Road at the third mile-stone, and come down by that route.

53. The advance along the Kallang Road would be next to impossible for the adversary, as a small body of men could hold the Kallang Bridge, which is 250 feet long, and the bridge, once blown up, would take days to restore.

"In rear of the Kallang River is the Rochor River, which could be similarly treated, while between the two rivers there is a mangrove swamp impassable except by the roads.

"54. Should the enemy, on the other hand, advance by the Sirangun Road, he would have his flank exposed to an attack along the Kallang Road, assisted by the garrison of Tanjong Katong in his rear.

"Obstacles to an Enemy advancing from Changi Sirangun, or Seletar.

55. (2.) Should the enemy choose to land on the north of the island, he would, if landed at Changi or Sirangun, have to use the Sirangun Road; if at Seletar, the Thompson Road.

"Sirangun the most probable Place of Landing.

"56. Sirangun would be the best place, as it is only 8 miles from Singapore, and, as the enemy could not get a day's provisions except in the town of Singapore, he would naturally choose the shortest road and the one nearest his base.

“57. If he landed at Kranji he would be 16 miles from Singapore, and might march by the Bukit Timah Road, and might attack either end of the line of defence.

"Obstacles to an Enemy landing at Passir Panjang.

"58. (3.) Should he land at Passir Panjang, the only road is through a mangrove swamp, and for parts of the way under the fire of Fort Passir Panjang.

59. As the enemy could advance only along the roads crossing the island, news could be easily obtained by mounted spies of his landing and advance.

"Proposed Line of Out-posts for Defence.

"60. Strong supports should be stationed along the Kallang Road at the Kallang Bridge; along the Sirangun Road 21⁄2 miles out where the Kallang River crosses the road; along the Thompson Road at the reservoir; on the Bukit Timah Road where it is joined by the Cluny Road; and, lastly, along the Passir Panjang Road about 3 miles out."

The main defensive position should be from Fort Canning to Mount Faber.

The Committee do not recommend the occupation of the highest point of Mount Faber, a point which is specially mentioned by Sir William Jervois* and in the War Office Memorandum.†

It is a most commanding position, and so long as it and Fort Canning were held, it would not be possible for an enemy to reach the new harbour in force.

The intermediate redoubts would prevent any sudden rush or attempt by a small body of men to destroy the docks and coals at the wharves.

A work on Mount Faber, too, sees well down towards the front of the proposed battery at Passir Panjang, and prevents any advance in that direction.

It should, as recommended in the War Office Memorandum,† be an inclosed work, to hold 200 men, and four 64-pounder guns should be mounted in it.

Appendix No. 4.

4 64-prs.

Cost

P

SINGAPORE.

Faber Redoubt.

Work Armament

149

£ 15,000

2,000

17,000

Fort Canning.

Fort Canning requires a great deal of alteration to adapt it to modern requirements; but its position, both in a defensive point of view and as a work to command the town and native population, is so important that no idea should be entertained of dis- mantling it.

Garrison, 200 men.

4 64-prs. -S.B. guns.

Cost-

Work Armament

The remarks in Sir William Jervois' Report should be conclusive on that point. The general measures to be adopted in the remodelling of this fort are: to give proper flanking defence to the ditches, to alter the glacis so as to bring it more under the fire of the parapets, and, by means of an interior intrenchment, to divide the work into two Garrison, 200 men. portions, in one of which should be placed four 64-pounders to fire towards the Sirangun Road and along the valley of the Singapore river.

In the southern portion guns should be placed (and probably some of the old smooth- bore pieces now in the fort will be found sufficient) to overlook the town and flank the extreme right of the land position between the fort and the bay.

Between Fort Canning and Mount Faber the river forms a serious obstacle, and, as

[1103]

*Inclosure 1 in No. 76.

+† No. 77.

3 Y

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£ 10,000 3,600

13,600

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