Australian Army Heavy Gun Batteries defending Port Moresby
During the Pacific War, Port Moresby was defended by gun batteries. During 1942-1943 Port Moresby was Japanese objective during the Battle of the Coral Sea and Kokoda Trail. A total of five heavy gun batteries were established at different locations during 1942 and until the end of the Pacific War.
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Paga
Hill
Begun in 1939, it was the first of the Port Moresby batteries to be completed in mid-February 1942. It consisted of two gun mounts, bunkers, support buildings and a service tunnel. Also, US Army manned radar set RS 412. |
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Bootless Bay Battery (C Battery)
This battery's construction began in September 1942. The battery relocated three times, from the beach, to Stokes / Maata
Ridge and finally to Kuri Beach / Drysdale Ridge. |
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Gemo Island
In mid-April, 1944, the Australian 8th Army Troops Company / Royal Engineers built a gun battery facing east.
It accomidated two 6 pound guns, wuth a concrete ammunition storage area and bunker behind it. |
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Boera
Battery
On the coastal hills immediately behind Boera village. These guns were the American 155mm mobile guns and had slightly different structures built to emplace the guns. |
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Basilisk Battery at Idlers Bay
Largest
of the batteries. Emplacements were built for three 5.25" Mark II guns but only two were installed. An observation post is on the hill
top and the three gun positions on the coastal flank, overlooking Fairfax Harbor and Idlers Bay.
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Tuaguba Hill 3.7" Heavy Anti-Aircraft Battery
Australian Heavy 3.7" Heavy Anti-Aircraft battery atop Tuaguba Hill installed in early 1942.
References
The 'Letter' Batteries for
dates and information related to this battery.
The
Coastal Gun Batteries of Port Moresby - Then & Now by John Douglas |
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