User:Reshveen
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War Museum - PenangThis Penang War Museum was erected on the original defence complex built by British early dated before world war-2 due to importance to protect Penang Harbour from sea attack. It was known well that Penang was not being prepared to Japanese invaders. Most of the defense were consisted of light machineguns and several Bofors anti-aircraft and most of these guns were located to protect Butterworth airfield. An additional, one firing range observation tower, several Anti Aircraft gun pit with underground tunnels, one searchlight battery, logistic centers, halls, offices, ventilation shafts, sleeping quarters, cook houses as well as medical infirmary enough to accommodated one regiment. At least several pillboxes were built to protect from sea landings. These complex was constructed on 20 acres of land, it is an integrated fortress on Bukit Batu Maung or Bukit Punjab. The British Royal Engineers and a work force comprises of local laborers blasted and dug into the hill to create a fort. The British knew Penang Island as Fortress Penang, but in reality it only had 4 anti-aircraft guns and a motley garrison of some 500 untrained troops. On December 16, British forces evacuated due to Japanese bombing the island and seized many ships and boats in the harbour the day before. At dawn on December 17, the Japanese came ashore from small boats and seized the island without losing a soldier. They were intrigued to discover the radio station in Penang was not destroyed by the British before they departed, and used it to broadcast propaganda to Malaya and Singapore
From under Japanese Occupation, it was used again to protect Japanese shipping from Allied attack mainly from British and American Subs. After ww2, it was abandoned. Many of the fittings were stripped and scrap. Two large batteries guns were missing. At least after 60 years, Penang Government decided to restored the complex and proposed as Penang War Museum.