STRONG OUTPOST

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23838, 13 December 1940, Page 9

STRONG OUTPOST

MIGHT OF SINGAPORE FORTRESS AS WELL AS BASE JUNGLE GUARDS "BACK DOOR" [from our own correspondent] LONDON, Nov. l It is not always realised that Singapore is much more than a naval base, although that is. its primary function in tiie scheme of Empire defence, says the Singapore correspondent of the Times. It is no less important as an air base, while the troops and fortifications which defend the naval and air bases make it a fortress of the first order. Although Singapore is. primarily a base for warships operating in Far Eastern waters and the Indian Ocean there is no reason why it should not be used for repairing, overhauling and refitting vessels from greater distances. The Navy lias its bases in the Mediterranean sufficient for all purposes, but in certain circumstances it might be convenient to send a ship all the way to Singapore. No Limit to Capacity The same applies to merchant ship, ping, and the Singapore Harbour Board has very adequate dry docking accommodation which would supplement the naval facilities. The fact that Singapore has a floating dock and graving dock both capable of taking the biggest vessels afloat means that there is no limit to the work which can be carried out there. Singapore is not so well known to tho outside world as an air centre, although some writers have suggested that it may one day become even more important for its air strength than as a naval station. Be that as it may, the Royal Air Force is at present busy in all parts of the Malay peninsula. Several Aerodromes There are several service aerodromes on Singapore Island, and the-civil airport. one of the most modern cast of Suez, is also at the disposal of -the Royal Air Force. Up country the Royal Air Force has available its own aerodromes and those originally built for civil purposes. Singapore is immensely strong -in fortifications. The coastal batteries have tremendous range and protect'all sea approaches—to the naval base. The advantage held/ by land batteries in an encounter with warships was shown in the Norwegian campaign, and there is every reason to believe that any hostile vessels approaching Singapore would have a very warm reception. Thickly Wooded Mainland The defence of the ''back door" approaches to Singapore, by way of the east coast, presents a special problem, and training in "jungle warfare" tactics has been given to_ all the units likely to be affected. The jungles are one of the natural defences of Singapore, for, al- *' though there is no virgin jungle on the island, the approaches to south Malaya through Johore, and many square miles of country farther north, are covered witlr thick wooded territory through which a hostile force could not hope to advance. The additional fact that there are comparatively lew roads on the east of the peninsula considerably simplifies the defence problem.