Beting Kusah under construction

The first reference I have found concerning Beting Kusah as a location for a gun battery is in the C.R.A’s (Commander Royal Artillery) report, “Singapore - Coast Defence Reconnaissance - Eastern Area” dated 15th November 1924. Lt. Colonel Brackner, the C.R.A. noted:

“Good arc of view, including P. TEKONG BESAR (part), KUALA SANTI (In Johor beyond P. Tekong), JOHORE POINT and HILL, and some of the Dutch islands, but useless for light guns for close defence of Eastern Strait as such guns would require to use Auto-Sights, and these necessitate height”. The location seems to have been ignored on General Sir Webb Gillman’s ‘Report of the Singapore Commission’ in 1927.

LEFT: A 1920s map of the Beting Kusah area.

In 1936, Major General Barron, in his report wrote:

“The only other possible sites for a 6” 15° battery are at PENGERANG and BETING KUSAH, and I have decided that, on tactical grounds, the latter, although involving more expense - the purchase of 40 acres of land - must be accepted.”

The Appendix of the report said:

“As regards Beting Kusah, a battery at this point with approved D.E.Ls. (Defence Electric Lights), could take its part in the defence of the main channel ..........”.

He also suggested that, as the battery would be at such a low level, two Depression Range Finders, one for each gun could be provided, “on top of a tower to be built in rear of the battery”.

ABOVE: A temporary Defence Electric Light (Searchlight) Near Beting Kusah

RIGHT: Map of the Changi area in 1941, showing the coast batteries.

When constructed, the Beting Kusah Battery was armed with two Mark VII 6 Inch BL Guns on Mark II CPMs, with Mark I Shields. With the Battery being practically at sea level, the gun‚s Trunnion Level being only 18 Feet (5·5 metres) above mean sea level, and the Battery Observation Post 78 Feet (23.75 metres) on a metal tower, the Magazines were constructed above ground. The guns were at some time, probably around 1941, fitted with locally made shield extensions. Overhead splinter cover was added around about the same time. The effect of the cover was to severely restrict the arc of fire of the battery.

There is no evidence in War Diaries that Beting Kusah took part in the defence of Singapore in 1942. The concrete splinter cover did not allow the guns to turn to face the invading Japanese Forces. The cover was still in place after the war, indicating that the guns were never turned.

On the orders of the G.O.C., Lt. General Percival on 12th February, demolition work was carried out on the Battery. The CASLs, Range Finders and some other equipments were destroyed by hand, and a Captain Griffiths arrived to spike the guns. 50lb (22·7 kg) Gelignite charges were used on the guns. Shells from the No.1 Gun and the No.1 Magazine were placed round the N0.2 Gun and charges set. The men withdrew 300 yards up the road The War Diary records that, “To the best of their knowledge both guns “went up””. The gunners were then withdrawn to Singapore town to form part of the last defences.

Unfortunately, Captain Griffiths was not as thorough as he would have wished to be with his demolition work. The No.1 Gun was repaired by the Japanese. However, it was never used in action by them. Post-war examination showed that the No.1 Emplacement was in good condition. The No.2 Emplacement had had the overhead cover and blast walls demolished, but the emplacement could be repaired. After the war, the No.1 Gun was moved to Fort Siloso to re-arm the Battery there. Beting Kusah was never re-armed, although it was recommended that it should be.

LEFT: The No.1 Gun with locally made shield
RIGHT: The demolished No.2 Emplacement in 1946

LEFT: A 1957 aerial photo
RIGHT: The Battery Observation Post in the 1960s

With the reclamation of land at Changi, the site of the Beting Kusah Battery has vanished under Changi Airport.

Beting Kusah (approximate) on Google Earth.

Batteries & Defences