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POSTER - Fortress Fremantle Graphic 5.25 inch Batteries
Overview
Graphic showing the locations of the Leighton, and South Beach Batteries as part of Fortress Fremantle. The Leighton Battery 5.25 inch guns were operational between 1947 and 1963. The South Beach Battery was never completed.
Historical information
Fremantle Fortress, refers to the combined coastal defenses safeguarding the Fremantle Harbour, with a predominant role during World War 2.The first coastal defenses in Western Australia were established in Albany in 1893 at the Princess Royal Fortress.Tt wasn’t until the opening of the inner harbor at Fremantle in 1897 and its subsequent emergence as the preferred port for mail and access to the Goldfields that the coastal protection of Fremantle Harbor was considered.
In 1906, two 6-inch Mk VII naval guns were installed at Fort Arthur Head, and a further two similar guns on the north side of the Harbour at Fort Forrest. During the mid-1930s, the Australian Government upgraded coastal defense batteries across major ports. In Western Australia, the protection of Fremantle Port was a priority. To provide additional stand off protection a 9.2 inch battery was established on Rotnest Island at Oliver Hill and an additional 6 inch battery at Bickley Point
At various periods during World War 2 between 1939 and 1945 additional fortifications, anti-aircraft defences, search lights, radars and observation posts were establish on the mainland between Point Peron and Swanbourne and also on Rottnest Island. These combined coastal defenses were collectively referred to as the Fremantle Fortress
Fremantle Harbor, guarded by the Fremantle Fortress, housed the Fremantle submarine base, which played a crucial role during World War II. It was the second-most important submarine base in the Pacific War after Pearl Harbor.The coastal batteries were manned by members of the Royal Australian Artillery, the Royal Australian Engineers, and the Volunteer Defence Corps. From 1942, the Australian Women’s Army Service also served at the Fremantle Fortress.
Details
Details
Registration number
cwa-org-32-54-996
Geotag
-32.017701032772, 115.75655597589
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Nearest geotagged records:
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Nearest geotagged records:
- World War 2, Australia, Western Australia, Mosman Park, Buckland Hill, Heavy Anti-Aircraft, 1943 (0.01km away)
- World War 2, Australia Western Australia Mosman Park, Leighton Battery, 1942 (0.02km away)
- World War 2, Australia, Western Australia, Mosman Park, Buckland Hill, Heavy Anti-AircraftBattery,Australian Women’s Army Service, 1943 (0.02km away)
- World War 2, Australia, Western Australia, Buckland Hill, Leighton Battery,1943 (0.03km away)
- World War 2, Australia, Western Australia, Mosman Park, Buckland Hill, Leighton Battery, 1943 (0.03km away)
- World War 2, Australia, Western Australia, North Fremantle, Leighton Battery, 1943 (0.05km away)
- World War 2, Australia, Western Australia, Mosman Park, Buckland Hill, Heavy Anti-Aircraft, 1943 (0.24km away)
- AWAS on Rottnest - W45834 LIMPUS (married MANNING) (0.41km away)
- AWAS on Rottnest - WF94311 BRADSHAW (0.6km away)
- World War 1, Australia, Western Australia, BUCKINGHAM, 10 Light Horse (0.81km away)
View all geotagged records...
Australian Army Museum of Western Australia
Australian Army Museum of Western Australia
Other items from Australian Army Museum of Western Australia
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POSTER - Fortress Fremantle Graphic 6 inch Batteries
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POSTER - Fortress Fremantle Graphic 9.2 inch Batteries
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Poster - AWAS for Anti-Aircraft Defence
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World War 1, Australia, Western Australia, 434 LOCKHART, 10 Light Horse
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World War 1, Australia, Western Australia, 438 MANN, 10 Light Horse
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World War 1, Australia, Western Australia, 500 WALES, 10 Light Horse
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World War 1, Australia, Western Australia, 486 TAILOR, 10 Light Horse
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World War 1, Australia, Western Australia, 492 THOMAS, 10 Light Horse
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World War 1, Australia, Western Australia, 441 MARKEY 10 Light Horse
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World War 1, Australia, Western Australia, 440 MARKEY, 10 Light Horse
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World War 1, Australia, Western Australia, 442 MASLIN, 10 Light Horse
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World War 1, Australia, Western Australia, 443 MATHIESON, 10 Light Horse
5.25 inch gun firing in Coast Defence role
5.25 inch gun firing in anti-aircraft role
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