The fatal fortress : the guns and fortifications of Singapore 1819-1956 / Bill Clements.

Collection type	Library
Author	Clements, Bill, author.;
Call Number	355.03305957 C626
Document type	Monograph
Year	2016. c2016.
Pagination	vii, 199 pages : illustrations (black and white), maps ; 24 cm.
Publisher	Pen & Sword Military,
Note	Includes QR code. Formerly CIP. Includes bibliographical references and index. CIVIL DEFENCE. The Fall of Singapore in February 1942 was arguably the greatest disaster suffered by the British Empire. Between 1923 and 1938, the Singapore naval base had been upgraded with some of the largest coast guns ever installed. The guns' design and incorrect siting have since been blamed for the humiliating debacle. The Fatal Fortress traces the history of Singapore's fortifications and guns from the city's foundation in 1819 to the demise of coast artillery in the British Army in 1953. It also follows the development of artillery through the Victorian era of muzzle-loading guns to the introduction of the large breech-loading guns of the twentieth century. The author argues that it was not the siting of the guns that brought about the fall of S ingapore, but an overall failure in command and control and a lack of suitable ammunition.
Place made	Barnsley, South Yorkshire :

Abstract

Machine generated contents note: ch. 1 The Founding of Singapore -- ch. 2 The Early Fortifications: 1819--1869 -- ch. 3 A Time of Change: 1865--1890 -- ch. 4 The First Rifled Guns: 1870--1880 -- ch. 5 Bureaucrats and Breech-loaders: 1881--1900 -- ch. 6 Th e First World War: 1900--1920 -- ch. 7 Building the Base: 1921--1939 -- ch. 8 Arming the Base: 1923--1933 -- ch. 9 The Approach of War: 1934--1941 -- ch. 10 The Battle for Singapore -- ch. 11 Aftermath: 1942--1956.