The 1930s saw the imperial powers in Europe inching slowly towards war, and Britain in attempts to protect its far-flung empire constructed a series of military fortifications and installations throughout the world.  The Pulau Ubin Anti-Motor Torpedo Boat (AMTB) emplacements were constructed to provide close range defense against small, fast attack boats that might sneak in under the cover of darkness and launch a torpedo attack against the ships anchored at the Singapore Naval Base to the west in Sembawang. The AMTB defenses were to have modern twin 6-Pounder rapid firing guns. Adapted from naval artillery, these guns, working together with searchlights, could fire up to 70 rounds per minute at any illuminated targets, protecting the immediate entrance to the waterways north of the island. The archaeology team investigated the site to search for evidence of the site’s use during the Battle for Singapore and through the Japanese Occupation.