Magazine Battery

Magazine Hill can be seen, centre, right side of this photo.

Magazine Hill in background to Townsville port.

Brief History

Guns were first placed at this site in 1892, but the site had become inactive. In August 1942 'A' Heavy Battery moved to the site and began the installation of two 155mm US guns. In September they were replaced by 'C' Heavy Battery, and they in turn were replaced by 'B' Heavy Battery in January 1943 by which time the guns were operational in their permanent mounts.

In April 1943 'D' Heavy Battery took over manning the guns until they went to New Guinea in November. A short period during which the guns were not manned followed, but 'U' Heavy battery had arrived by December and the guns were again operational. In April 1944 'U' Heavy Battery left for New Guinea and 'L' Heavy Battery moved in, but rather than manning the guns, they instead trained for a future field role. When they left in September 1944 the site was dismantled.

Unit Personnel

• Eric William Taylor April - 21 Nov 1943

Notes

Content has come from The Unit Guide - Volume 3 - The Australian Army 1939-1945, pages 3.118 & 3.119 - Graham R McKenzie-Smith - Big Sky Publishing - 2018