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Location
Lat 9° 24' 0S Long 147° 1' 0E Located west of Port Moresby, on the coast.
Construction
One of the Port Moresby Gun Batteries. Built
on the coastal hills immediately behind Boera village. Construction began in late January
- May 1943. After 'A'
Australian Heavy Battery at Gill Gill (west of
Alotau, Milne Bay)
ceased to function on May 20, 1943 all equipment was transferred to Boera.
Spread over several hills, the battery also had search light and support
buildings nearby. The water
supply well was dug down 50 feet.
On June 11, 1943 under the supervision
of Major Butterworth. Firing
exercises were carried out. On March 3, 1944 by Boera and Bootless
Batteries.
The battery was disassembled (guns, ammunition) were returned to Port
Moresby and camp buildings demolished.
Gun Pit No 1
Single 155mm Howitzer was emplaced at this location in gun pits with a
trolley to rotate the gun and camouflage net covering. Triangulation
for fire was laid out on July 6, 1943 and the guns test fired on the
following day with the first round fired from this gun at 15:07 hours.
Today, this turret is empty, but has a metal carriage
for the rear of the gun to be rotated around. The gun pit is made from
large stones and concrete to make up the walls. Several covered bunkers
are located behind the gun for shell storage.
Gun Pit No 2
Single 155mm Howitzer was emplaced at this location in gun pits with a
trolley to rotate the gun and camouflage net covering. Triangulation
for fire was laid out on July 6, 1943 and the guns test fired on the
following day.
Today, this turret is empty, but has a metal carriage
for the rear of the gun to be rotated around. The gun pit is made from
large stones and concrete to make up the walls. A covered bunker is to
the side of the bunker, for shell storage. The metal carriage for the
rear of the gun is still present in the pit.
Tower & Fortifications
A two story 'tower' is located between the two guns, with covered
bunkers to each side. On the second story of the tower is a pedestal,
probably for mounting an anti-aircraft weapon, or binoculars, etc. Nearby,
there is a concrete air raid trench with stairs for entry.
Buildings & Shelters
There is an underground building built into one of the hillsides, probably
for shell storage, with a metal I beam roof, and holes for ventilation.
A second building is only partially built into the hillside, its
roof (presumably metal sheets) is missing.
Shells
In the nearby village of Boera, villagers have collected the projectile
portions of the 155mm shells, complete with detonators still attached.
Probably, the copper cases were sold for scrap value long ago.
Today
This too is a remarkable site, well preserved in its
entirety. The supporting search light positions are all easily identified
and the gun emplacements seemingly need only the guns to be reinstalled
to make them effective once again.
References
The 'Letter' Batteries for
dates and information related to this battery. John Douglas' The
Coastal Gun Batteries of Port Moresby - Then & Now
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Last Updated
May 5, 2009
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