The Battle of Penang

In memoriam: An anchor marks the grave of the Zhemchug's Russian soldiers at George Town's Western Road Christian Cemetery. - File pic

Ripples of warfare in far-flung Europe touched the shores of Penang on Oct 28, 1914, when a German ship attacked Allied vessels in a surprise one-day offensive off the coast of George Town.

Just a few months after World War I broke out, a historic battle took place just off this country’s coast, in October 1914. While Malaya’s suffering during World War II is well known, few are aware of the import and scale of what is now called the Battle of Penang.