Raz

Lets see whatever you have relating to Gau badges including pics of these badges in wear etc.

Here are 2 of my most prized sets.

The Gau Thuringen badge set. Recently acquired from a well respected US collector.

I also have an award document for the Gau Thuringen badge that I will post a pic of when I get

the chance.

It's a first for me as well. Impressive find.

I've just started researching an uncle of mine who was a POW. He was captured in Singapore then

sent to work on the death railways.

This is the only pic I currently have of him, what kind of uniform is he wearing, looks tropical to me?

The figures were made in the UK and clothing made by the people at Madam Tussauds.

As I understand it the highly detailed figures are either made of wax or silicone and with the

use of high tech imaging they have done a pretty faithful facial recreation of the main characters who

were at the battle box.

I suspect early on visitors messed about with the figures and so higher security and the guided tour

was implemented.

Here's Percival close up.

Thanks Christophe.

Incidentally the bit about this bunker being sealed and forgotten until the 1990's I think is more

Singapore tourist hype as one can find a picture of the same bunker in the archives with

Malaysian dignitaries exiting the tunnel entrance after being give a tour around it in 1964.

Here's a couple more pics of the original Fort Canning.

The the first British defensive structures went up around 1859.

But there is even evidence of older structures than this on site dating as far back as the 14 century.

Here's a photo of a "sally port" and Fort Cannings orginal gate.

Commander, fixed defences. Brigadier Curtis.

The main escape shaft to the surface.

Some museum displays:

Japanese surrender flag taken at Fort Canning by British troops.

Feb 15th 1942, Percival and his high command.

Percival with great dissatisfaction was outvoted by his commanders and it was decided to surrender.

Percival had wanted instead an all out counter attack but with a deteriorating water supply and

demoralized troops it was already out of his hands.

The Fortress Plotting room. The guide said that the original table including everything else

made of wood in the battlebox had been eaten by termites when it laid undiscovered after the war.

The bunker also suffered from flooding during that time as well.

The door into hell. During WW2 this door led into a black painted walled cell.

The kempetai tortured and killed British and Australian officers in there.

The main theme to the battlebox attraction was the day that Singapore fell.

Lots of sound effects and animatronic waxwork figures bring the whole scene alive

(to a certain extent anyway).

Telephone exchange:

Signals:

Percivals office

Located at Fort Canning hill in Singapore is the Battlebox. A 1938 constructed underground

bunker system some 9 meters underground.

The Battlebox was the center of operations during WW2 for Malaya Command.

From this location they commanded anti aircraft defences, gun operations, and troop deployments.

This was also the very location that Percival and his commanders made the decision to surrender.

This bunker was only recently re-discovered in the early 1990's and is now refurbished

and restored.

Luckily I went early morning so was the only person there. It was a guided tour visit and

I was led around by this old hard of hearing guide. I noted there was a big sign next

to the entrance that said NO PHOTOGRAPHY. As I was the only one there the old guy

said it was okay to take some pics :-)

The main entrance into the Battlebox.

Rear exit entrance.

That badge was on the Snyders Treasures website for sometime.

I have not seen another dated Gau Baden of any grade in this styel and because

of that date bar I would be wary as well of that modification without supporting

documentation.

I have however seen engraved dates to the reverse of badges.

If my memory is correct the reverse of the date bar lacks much noticeable tarnish as compared

to the obverse of the bar as well as to the main badge itself.

A researcher from Perth gave another possibility, a proposal to place two (2) defence electric lights (DEL)

with a concentrated beam.

Thanks guys! I should have at least guessed E.L!! There are 5 concrete searchlight emplacements in that

area alone.

I am currently researching a coastal battery and wonder if anyone has any idea

what "D.E.L.2.CON" stands for?

I definitely want to visit the battle box. If you have some pics please post them.

Thansk for the pics Paul.

From what I have read the 1930's installed 2x 6" guns at Siloso could also be rotated

around northwards and was used to engage targets on Singapore itself.

The big problem for Singapores fortress guns that could be turned around was lack of high explosive

ammunition, mostly all they had was armour piercing rounds for sinking ships, not killing infantry

en masse.

Please post some pics Paul. My last visit to Fort Siloso was well over 15 years ago.

Indeed, it could have easily become another high rise development especially with

space being at such a premium in land strapped Singapore.

Two gruesome eyewitness accounts of Japanese cruelty. If anyone is interested I can post

higher res pics so you can see the text.

2 Japanese handkerchiefs.

Japanese equipment.

Japanese book depicting the Sinking of the Prince of Wales and the Repulse. A Japanese sword

is in the background.

Japanese flag.

Japanese anti tank gun thought to be a Type 97 found during construction of flats.

Here are some of the exhibits on display outlining the Japanese occupation of Singapore.

POW exhibit.