Coastal defences of Australia during World War II

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Leighton Battery in Fremantle, Western Australia in 1943

The following is a List of Coastal Batteries in Australia and Territories during World War II. The main threat came early in the war from German raiders and threat of Japanese raids or invasion, and hence all available ordnance was pressed into service, including some obsolete guns and field guns adapted for coast defence.

New South Wales[]

Newcastle[]

Port Kembla[]

Media related to Kembla Fortress at Wikimedia Commons

Illowra Battery, Port Kembla, New South Wales

Port Stephens[]

Sydney[]

Middle Head Fortifications, Sydney Harbour

Note: A 6pdr 10cwt battery was under construction.

Northern Territory[]

Papua New Guinea[]

Lae[]

Port Moresby[]

Rabaul[]

Queensland[]

Brisbane[]

Cairns[]

Torres Strait[]

Townsville[]

155mm coastal defence gun emplacement at Magnetic Island, Townsville
One of two 4.7 inch coastal defence gun emplacements built at Cape Pallarenda, Townsville in 1943

South Australia[]

Tasmania[]

Victoria[]

Western Australia[]

Albany[]

  • Princess Battery, Albany – 2 x 6in guns

Fremantle[]

Media related to Fremantle Fortress at Wikimedia Commons[1]

Note: A 9.2in Mk Xv battery was under construction.

Garden Island (Cockburn Sound)[]

Geraldton[]

Rockingham[]

Rottnest Island[]

See also[]

Notes[]

  1. ^ see Graham McKenzie-Smith (2009), Defending Fremantle, Albany and Bunbury, 1939 to 1945, Grimwade Publications, ISBN 978-0-9806291-0-1 - in particular map on page 6 Coast Defences of Fremantle

References[]

  • Horner, David (1995). The Gunners. A History of Australian Artillery. Sydney: Allen & Unwin. ISBN 1-86373-917-3.
  • Palazzo, Albert (2001). The Australian Army. A History of its Organisation 1901—2001. Melbourne: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-551507-2.
  • Spethman, David (2008). The Garrison Guns of Australia 1788–1962. Inala, Queensland: Ron H Mortensen. ISBN 978-0-9775990-8-0.

External links[]

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