Fort Siloso
Pasir Laba
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In September 1924, Lt. Col. Brancker C.R.A. (Commander Royal Artillery) made a coast defense reconnaissance in the area of Tanjong Karang on the west coast of Singapore (where the present Tuas link to Malaysia is). He noted about, “Position “K”. (on point N. of TANJONG KARANG promontory” that, "The ridge, at this point, is razor backed, but affords room for emplacements. Ground appears firm. Height very fair ...... If foundation suitable, quite a good position for two 6” guns.” In November that year, the G.O.C. Malaya, Maj. Gen. Fraser wrote to the War Office in London saying, “.... a reasonably good site exists at 900 yards N.N.E. of KARANG.” As can be seen from the map below, Point “K” is Pasir Laba which is the location indicated by the G.O.C.
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In his report to the Committee of Imperial Defence in 1927, General Sir Webb Gillman made a recommendation for strong defences at Pasir Laba. These had a rider, “If decided on”. He recommended a two gun 9.2-Inch BL Gun Battery and a two gun 6-Inch BL Gun Battery to be emplaced.
LEFT: A Pasir Laba 6-Inch BL Gun.
During his visit to Singapore in 1936 by General Barron, it was agreed, “That No.2 gun which had been sited low down on the col just east of No.1 gun should be moved Westwards up the ridge towards the B.Cs. Post ...... thus increasing its arc of fire”. The height of the gun had already been cabled to the War Office, to enable the cams for the Auto Sight to be cut, so it was agreed that the change of height should be cabled to the War Office, forthwith”.
As with most other 6-Inch Batteries in Singapore, Pasir Laba received concrete overhead cover for the guns somtime after 1939. However, it did not receive Mark IV Gun Shields or even the locally manufactured ones fitted to guns at batteries such as Labrador. It went to War with the old low Mark II Shields.