Hemmant Gun Battery facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Hemmant Gun Battery
Hemmant Gun Battery, 2006
Location	214, 228 and 274 Fleming Road, Hemmant, City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Design period	1939 - 1945 (World War II)
Built	1942
Queensland Heritage Register
Official name: 6 (390) Australian Anti-Aircraft Battery, 390 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Gun Station Class A, Hemmant Gun Emplacements
Type	state heritage (built)
Designated	26 May 2000
Reference no.	601353
Significant period	1942 (fabric) 1942-1945 (historical)
Significant components	gun emplacement, command post, magazine / explosives store
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The Hemmant Gun Battery is a special historical site in Hemmant, Queensland, Australia. It's a type of old fort called a fortification. This battery was built in 1942 during World War II to help protect the city of Brisbane. It is also known as the Hemmant Gun Emplacements. This important site was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 26 May 2000.

Why Was the Hemmant Battery Built?

The Hemmant Gun Battery was built around 1942. It was part of a big plan to defend Brisbane during World War II. Brisbane was a very important city at that time.

Protecting Brisbane During World War II

The Hemmant Gun Battery was one of several "A class" gun stations. These stations had four guns each. Their job was to watch for enemy aircraft flying into Brisbane's airspace. Other similar batteries were located at Colmslie, Balmoral, Amberley, and Archerfield.

These batteries protected important places. They guarded Australian and US naval facilities along the Brisbane River. They also protected the Brisbane airfield. The gun stations were placed near the Brisbane River because enemy planes might use the river to find their way.

Australia Joins the War

When Japan attacked Pearl Harbor in December 1941, Australia became more involved in the war. After the bombing of Darwin in February 1942, people worried Brisbane might be next. Brisbane was Queensland's largest city. It was also a key meeting point for US forces.

Brisbane was too far for land-based bombers to reach. So, any attack would come from aircraft carriers or long-range flying boats. These flying boats could be refueled by submarines.

Reconnaissance Missions and Defence

Between March and July 1942, Japanese planes flew reconnaissance missions. These were like scouting trips over Cairns and Townsville. Townsville was bombed three times in July. During these raids, the "A Class" gun stations fired at the enemy planes.

Even though Brisbane was never bombed, scouting missions likely happened. Submarine-based planes or long-range flying boats might have flown over the city. Records show similar missions along Australia's east coast.

Who Manned the Battery?

From mid-1943, the Hemmant site was staffed by different groups. These included the AWAS (Australian Women's Army Service) and the VDC (Volunteer Defence Corps). These groups helped run the battery until August 1945. At that time, all the heavy anti-aircraft sites were disarmed.

What Was the Hemmant Battery Like?

In 1942, the government took over land in Hemmant. This was to build the gun station. It was known as a Class A gun station.

The Guns and Their Power

The battery originally had four 3.7-inch anti-aircraft guns. These guns were made in Australia. The 3.7-inch anti-aircraft gun was a standard weapon for the British Army. It was used from 1938 to 1956. These guns could hit targets up to about 9,100 meters away.

The gun emplacements were shaped like octagons. They had magazine/store rooms around them. These rooms stored ammunition. They also had sandbags for protection. Inside, there were rifle racks and anti-gas equipment. Each gun had 280 rounds of ammunition. Four separate underground magazines kept high explosive rounds cool.

The Command Post

The guns were controlled from a central command post. This was also called the plotting room. If suspicious aircraft were spotted, the information went to this post. The Fighter Sector Headquarters then told the command post what to do.

The command post had special pits for a height finder and a predictor. These tools helped figure out how high and fast enemy planes were flying. A kitchen, showers, toilets, and sleeping quarters were also on the site. These buildings were likely put together quickly. Today, no evidence of these buildings remains. One of the four original magazines has also been removed.

What Can You See Today?

The former Hemmant Gun Battery is located on top of Hemmant hill. From here, you can see the Brisbane CBD in the distance.

The Main Structures

The anti-aircraft battery has three underground ammunition magazines. It also has four gun platforms and a semi-underground command post. All these structures are made of strong reinforced concrete.

The three magazines are all the same size. They are single rooms, built underground. You can still see where a ventilator was. It gets noticeably cooler inside these rooms. This shows that the designers knew how to keep explosives safe in a warm climate. The steel doors from the magazines and command post are now gone.

Gun Emplacements Today

Three of the four gun emplacements are still visible. The fourth one is partly buried. The structures are octagon-shaped. They are surrounded by magazine/store rooms.

• One emplacement has been turned into a chicken pen. It still has drains in the floor and points where the guns were attached.
• A second emplacement is still intact. A house has been built on top of it, and it's used as a garage and storage area.
• The third emplacement has been filled with water and turned into a swimming pool.

All three (and likely the fourth) still have their surrounding magazine/storage rooms. The command post is also structurally sound. It has recently been turned into a gazebo and a fernery, which is a garden for ferns.

The Hemmant Gun Battery is the best-preserved example of a Class A Gun Station in south-east Queensland. It is also the last one remaining from the five stations that protected Brisbane.

Why is Hemmant Battery Important?

The 6 (390) Australian Anti-Aircraft Battery was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 26 May 2000. It is important for several reasons.

Showing Queensland's History

The Hemmant Battery helps us understand Queensland's history. It shows how Brisbane was protected from air raids during World War II. It was one of many anti-aircraft batteries. These were placed along the Brisbane River to protect naval facilities and the airfield. They also watched for enemy scouting planes.

A Rare Historical Site

The Hemmant Battery is the only visible and mostly complete anti-aircraft battery in Brisbane. This makes it a rare part of Queensland's history.

Learning About the Past

The battery's location and design show how Brisbane was defended during World War II. It is a good example of the "Brisbane Line" fortifications. Studying this site can help us learn more about this part of Queensland's past.

A Great Example of a Military Site

The Hemmant Battery still has its command post, gun emplacements, and magazines. It is also in a high spot overlooking Brisbane. This makes it a great example of an Australian Heavy Anti-Aircraft Battery.

Beautiful and Important

The Hemmant Battery is set among grassy areas in Hemmant. It is important because of its aesthetic significance, meaning it has a special beauty.