'C' Heavy Battery (Bootless Bay Battery, Drysdale Ridge)

Australian Army

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1943
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Justin Taylan 2004

 

One of the Port Moresby Gun Batteries. Initally set up on the shores of Kila Bay, than moved to higher ground near Pari Village, and finally, to this permanent location. It overlooks Bootless Bay and Piramid Point.  Other names it is known by are: Bootless Battery and Drysdale Ridge Battery. This battery had two guns: No.1 Gun and No.2 Gun

Construction
This battery was constructed by 'C' Battery crews that arrived in Port Moresby in September 1942, and had been stationed first at Kila Beach, and then on Stokes / Maata Ridge.  When this location proved unsuitable, it was decided to relocate the battery in September 1942 to a more permanent location, north of Kuri Beach on Drysdale Ridge overlooking Bootless Bay and Piramid Point [this location]. Construction began on the battery in October 1942. Semi-permanant mounts for two 155mm Artillery Guns were constructed. Test shots were fired on the SS Pruth on March 15, 1943. Observation post was at Tarana / Pyramid Point.

Useage
Manned by 'C' Battery crew, the primary role of this gun was to protect Bootless Bay, with a secondary role of supporting the Paga Point Battery in defense of Baslisk Passage. This battery was never used against enemy targets. The guns were removed sometime after WWII, and the battery is abanondoed today.

References
The 'Letter' Batteries for dates and information related to this battery. John Douglas' The Coastal Gun Batteries of Port Moresby - Then & Now

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Techincal Info155mm

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