Coastal defences of Australia during World War II facts for kids
During World War II, Australia built many special defence points called coastal batteries along its shores. These batteries were like strong forts with big guns. Their main job was to protect Australia from enemy ships and possible attacks.
Early in the war, Australia was worried about German ships. Later, the biggest threat came from Japan, who might try to invade. To be ready, Australia used all the guns they had, even some older ones or field guns that were changed to work for coastal defence. This list tells you about these important defence spots across Australia and its territories.
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Protecting Queensland's Coast
Queensland has a long coastline, so it needed many batteries to keep it safe.
Brisbane's Defences
Brisbane, a major city, had several key defence points:
- Bribie Battery on Bribie Island had two large 6-inch guns.
- Skirmish Battery, also on Bribie Island, used two powerful 155mm guns.
- Cowan Battery on Moreton Island was equipped with two 6-inch guns.
- Rous Battery, also on Moreton Island, had two 155mm guns.
- Lytton Battery had one 4.7-inch gun.
Cairns' Protection
- False Cape Battery near Cairns was armed with two 155mm guns.
Townsville's Batteries
Townsville was another important port with several batteries:
- Magazine Battery had two 155mm guns.
- Kissing Point Battery had two 6-inch guns.
- Magnetic Battery on Magnetic Island used two 155mm guns.
- Cape Pallarenda Battery had two 4.7-inch guns.
Torres Strait Defences
The Torres Strait, a narrow waterway between Australia and Papua New Guinea, was vital for shipping.
- Endeavour Battery had two 6-inch guns.
- Goods Battery also had two 6-inch guns.
- Kings Battery used two 18-pounder guns.
- Milman Battery on Thursday Island had one 4.7-inch gun.
- Turtle Battery was equipped with two 155mm guns.
New South Wales Coastal Defences
New South Wales, with its capital Sydney, had many important ports and coastlines to protect.
Newcastle's Strongholds
Newcastle was a key industrial city.
- Park Battery had two 6-inch guns.
- Scratchley Battery had two 6-inch guns and one 6-pounder gun.
- Wallace Battery was equipped with two very large 9.2-inch guns.
Port Stephens' Battery
- Tomaree Battery at Port Stephens had two 6-inch guns.
Sydney Harbour's Protection
Sydney Harbour was a major target, so it had many batteries:
- Banks Battery had two powerful 9.2-inch guns.
- Casemate Battery at Middle Head used two 6-pounder guns.
- Henry Battery had two 18-pounder guns.
- Hornby Battery at South Head was armed with two 6-inch guns.
- Malabar Battery had two 6-inch guns.
- Middle Head Fortifications had two 6-inch guns and one 12-pounder gun.
- North Battery at North Head had two 9.2-inch guns.
- Shelly Battery had one 12-pounder gun.
- Signal Battery at South Head used two 6-inch guns.
- West Battery had two 4.7-inch guns.
Port Kembla's Batteries
Port Kembla was another important industrial port.
- Breakwater Battery had two 6-inch guns.
- Drummond Battery was equipped with two 9.2-inch guns.
- Illowra Battery also had two 6-inch guns.
Northern Territory Defences
Darwin, in the Northern Territory, was a crucial naval base and faced direct attacks.
- Dudley Battery in Darwin had two 4-inch guns and one 6-pounder gun.
- East Battery in Darwin was very strong with two 9.2-inch guns and two 6-inch guns.
- Emery Battery in Darwin had two 6-inch guns.
- Waugite Battery in Darwin also had two 6-inch guns.
- Elliot Section had one 6-pounder gun.
- West Point Section in Darwin had one 6-pounder gun.
Papua New Guinea Batteries
During WWII, Papua New Guinea was an Australian territory and a key battleground.
Lae's Battery
- U Battery near Lae had four 155mm guns.
Port Moresby's Defences
- Paga Battery had two 6-inch guns and two 6-pounder guns.
- Boera Battery had two 155mm guns.
Rabaul's Battery
- Praed Point Battery in Rabaul had two 6-inch guns.
South Australia's Coastal Guns
- Fort Largs near Adelaide, South Australia had two 6-inch guns.
- Hummock Hill Battery near Whyalla, South Australia had four 3.7-inch anti-aircraft guns.
Tasmania's Batteries
- Direction Battery near Hobart, Tasmania had two 6-inch guns.
- Pierson Battery, also near Hobart, had one 6-inch gun.
Western Australia's Coastal Protection
Western Australia's long coastline needed many defence points, especially around its major ports.
Albany's Battery
- Princess Battery in Albany, Western Australia had two 6-inch guns.
Fremantle's Mainland Defences
Fremantle was a very important port on the west coast.
- Harbour Battery had two 6-pounder guns and two 18-pounder guns.
- Leighton Battery had two 6-inch guns.
- Swanbourne Battery also had two 6-inch guns.
Rottnest Island's Batteries
Rottnest Island was a key defence point for Fremantle.
- Bickley Battery had two 6-inch guns.
- Oliver's Battery had two very large 9.2-inch guns.
Garden Island's Batteries
Garden Island helped protect Cockburn Sound.
- Beacon Battery had two 4-inch guns.
- Challenger Battery had two 155mm guns.
- Collie Battery had two 12-pounder guns.
Rockingham's Battery
- Peron Battery at Cape Peron had two 155mm guns and two 18-pounder guns.
Geraldton's Battery
- Geraldton Battery in Geraldton, Western Australia had two 4-inch guns and two 18-pounder guns.
Victoria's Coastal Defences
Victoria, with its capital Melbourne and the important Port Phillip Bay, also had coastal batteries.
- Cribb Battery at Port Phillip had one 6-inch gun.
- Crow's Nest Battery near Queenscliff had two 4.7-inch guns and one 14-pounder gun.
- Lonsdale Battery at Port Phillip had two 6-inch guns.
- Nepean Battery at Port Phillip also had two 6-inch guns.
- Pearce Battery at Port Phillip had two 6-inch guns.
