Mount Davis Batteries

Here comes the Hong Kong Island West, Mount Davis.

It locates in the most western hill in Hong Kong Island. I took the photo in summer of 2001. First time I can't finish the walk. But this made me know more details of the batteries' lower part. The next time I went, the top of the hill is under telecommunication construction. Clear some of the road but also destroyed some construction.

Background

When the end of the 1800's came, Mount Davis was selected to place five 9.2 inch guns. The western harbour was 3600 yards (while the eastern was just 500 yards), which needed heavy artillery fire to protect it.

The construction of the guns were not started at the same time. The location of those 4 on the higher part were easy to be designed. However, the lowest one were decided when the other 4 were almost completed. Everything was finished in 1912. After this, the headquarters of the Western Fire Command were set up near Mount Davis.

In mid 1930's , the importance of the batteries were downgraded. 2 of the guns were transported to Stanley to strengthen the defence there. ( I don't know which 2 , tell me if you know)

Lowest 9.2 Inch Gun Emplacement

	This is the lowest gun mount, the entry was partly blocked by rocks
the centre that used to place the gun was now planted a tree
	A view of the gun mount

Second Lowest 9.2 Inch Gun Emplacement

Observation Point and the 3rd Gun Emplacement

	This is the highest gun mount
Construction on the mount above
	Another view of the gun mount
Be careful there is a huge and deep hole next to the photo above. It is huge enough to drop someone down.

Military Situation

5 gun emplacements, with only three 9.2 inch guns, defence position and many battery buildings around the hill (mostly on the top of the hill).

Fighting

On the day after Shing Mun Redoubt was captured, 3 guns from Stonecutter's Island and one from Mount Davis were fired it. ( May be the other 2's position can't fire to northern, Kowloon, direction). This action was taken on 9/10th.

Starting from 11th, the batteries were fired by both Japanese heavy gun from mainland and bombers attack. Resulting on 13th, one gun on the top of the hill ( may be the highest one, I don't know exactly) were destroyed in this way. On 14th an anti-aircraft position was also destroyed, killing 9 gunners. Good luck a shell arrived directly on the battery command post was proved to be non-function, saving about 60 people taking shelter inside it.

Then on 15th the batteries were still attacked by Japanese planes. On 16th, a force of 62 bombers from both the Japanese Army and Navy ( from Philippine Islands) havily bombing Mount Davis and Aberdeen targets. This made the battery plotting room destroyed. Totally with the artillery fire in the same night, the commander was ordered to destroyed the remaining armament and equipment. And was finished just in time before Hong Kong was surrender.

	a point about 50m south of the gun mount above
a bunker that still kept in good condition
	the root of the bunker above

Western Fire Command H.Q. and other Shelters

How to get there: Take a no.5A bus(from Happy Valley to Mount Davis) until the Mount Davis terminal. There is a road going up the hill just at the end of the terminal (photo). Walk up the road for about 10 minutes , then you can see a 3 way road, going to the left hand side and continue walking for about 15 minutes, then you can see the lowest gun mount. It takes about 35 minutes to walk to the top of the hill. Along the road, you can see many shelter buildings.

The start of the road.

A sign about 1/3 along the road.

Updated: 8/3/2012