Pillbox off Kuantan Beach that stood up to the Japanese and time
Kuantan is a coastal town on the east coast of the Peninsula. Not much is mention about the battle that took place here at the start of the war. Its actually the 2nd wave of Japanese landings immediately after the 1st battle of the invasion. Kuantan was immediately attacked to create a 2nd front and cause diversion to the British defences.
It may also have witnessed the heroic defence of the invasion by Lt Col Cummings: On the 3rd January 1942, in Malaya, a strong force of the enemy penetrated the position while Brigade Headquarters and a Battalion were being withdrawn. Lieutenant-Colonel Cumming with a small party of men immediately counter-attacked the enemy and prevented any further penetration of the position until his whole party had become casualties, and he himself had received two bayonet wounds in the stomach. By this brave counter-attack Lieutenant-Colonel Cumming enabled the major portion of our men and vehicles to be withdrawn. Later, in spite of pain and weakness from his wounds, this officer drove in a carrier for more than an hour under very heavy fire collecting isolated detachments of our men. He then received two further wounds, after which and while attempting to collect a further isolated detachment, he lost consciousness and the driver of the carrier attempted to evacuate him. Lieutenant-Colonel Cumming, however, recovered consciousness and insisted on remaining where he was until he discovered that he and his driver were the sole survivors in the locality. He then decided to retire.
Today, the pillboxes are pretty much left intact. One could imagine how the British defended against the invaders.
Here are some pictures of the Pillbox located on the famous tourist spot on Kuantan Beach. It lies hidden on the far end of the beach just in front of the food stalls.
It may also have witnessed the heroic defence of the invasion by Lt Col Cummings: On the 3rd January 1942, in Malaya, a strong force of the enemy penetrated the position while Brigade Headquarters and a Battalion were being withdrawn. Lieutenant-Colonel Cumming with a small party of men immediately counter-attacked the enemy and prevented any further penetration of the position until his whole party had become casualties, and he himself had received two bayonet wounds in the stomach. By this brave counter-attack Lieutenant-Colonel Cumming enabled the major portion of our men and vehicles to be withdrawn. Later, in spite of pain and weakness from his wounds, this officer drove in a carrier for more than an hour under very heavy fire collecting isolated detachments of our men. He then received two further wounds, after which and while attempting to collect a further isolated detachment, he lost consciousness and the driver of the carrier attempted to evacuate him. Lieutenant-Colonel Cumming, however, recovered consciousness and insisted on remaining where he was until he discovered that he and his driver were the sole survivors in the locality. He then decided to retire.
Cumming’s actions led to the safe withdrawal of the Brigade, and he was gazetted for the Victoria Cross on the 20th February 1942. He was then posted to the rank of Temporary Brigadier, and was then involved in the desperate defence of Singapore against the Japanese, which ultimately led to surrender and evacuation of the colony.
Today, the pillboxes are pretty much left intact. One could imagine how the British defended against the invaders.
Here are some pictures of the Pillbox located on the famous tourist spot on Kuantan Beach. It lies hidden on the far end of the beach just in front of the food stalls.
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