Construction
In March 1942 the authority was given for construction of this gun battery for a 9.2" (23.4cm) coastal defence gun at Karori outside Wellington in New Zealand. Engineering reports and cost estimates were submitted to Army HQ in July 42, and preliminary site work including roads was started in October. The gun pits were completed in December 1943. The first gun was installed during June 1944, with the second gun shortly thereafter.

Wartime History
Due to the improved situation in the Pacific theatre of the war, a third gun was cancelled despite the gun pit and underground works for it having being constructed, and two gun positions: Turret #1 and Turret #2.

Post War
The only time the guns were fired was when they proofed them to ensure that they worked properly The proofing consisted of 3 shots fired - each shot at a different elevation and bearing. The No.1 gun was proofed on the 28th of June 1946 and the No.2 gun was proofed on the 26th of March 1947. The only damage caused by the proofing was some broken windows at the fortress, and in the suburb of Karori below. About 1950 the Fortress Battery was put into care and maintenance with crews from Fort Dorset visiting weekly or biweekly to service and maintain the guns and equipment. In August 1957 the Army decided to decommission the Battery. In 1960/61 the guns were cut up for scrap and the Battery was stripped of nearly all of its equipment. The scrap dealer was from Sydney, also responsible for the scrapping of guns at Palmer Heads and Fort Dorset as well as those emplaced in Auckland and Christchurch. Ironically the scrap metal salvaged from the batteries was sold to Japan after the war.

Today
The extensive fortifcations with 2,000' of tunnels linking magazines, gun pits, engine room, and plotting rooms remain to this day.

References
Thanks to Michael Claringbould of Aerothentic Publications for historical information and photos from December 2005.

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