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  'C' Australian Heavy Battery (Bootless Bay Battery (Kila Bay)
Australian Army

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Justin Taylan 2003

Location
The 'C' Australian Heavy Battery one location where Port Moresby Australian Heavy Gun Battery. Initially, this gun battery was located on the shores of Kila Bay, it was the initial and temporary position of this battery.

Construction
During September 1942, this gun battery was established by the Australian Army 'C' Battery after they arrived in Port Moresby and were initially stationed on Kila Beach. The shore area was used as a temporary battery position with no permanent structures or installations.

Wartime History
This gun battery was one of the Australian Army Heavy Gun Batteries defending Port Moresby. Manned by the Australian Army, this gun battery was designated the 'C' Australian Heavy Battery, one of the so called "Letter Batteries" tasked with defending the Port Moresby. Equipped with U.S. Army 155mm M3 Carriage Guns (155mm howitzers) to defend against any against enemy vessels or an amphibious landing attempt.

Aside from any shells fired for range finding and practice, this battery never fired at any enemy target. Later, this battery was relocated to the higher ground of Stokes Ridge (Maata  Ridge) north of Pari. Finally, moved to Drysdale Ridge.

References
The 'Letter' Batteries by Reg Kidd & Ray Neal details the history of this gun battery
The Coastal Gun Batteries of Port Moresby - Then & Now by John Douglas

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Last Updated
November 6, 2019

 

Techincal Info155mm

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