Mount Davis dominates the western approaches to Victoria Harbour. Naturally, this was considered to be an excellent location to guard against invasion and in 1912 the British military authorities constructed coastal defence works.
By the 1930s as the drumbeat to war grew ever louder, this was organised as part of Western Fire Command and remained as such during the Battle for Hong Kong in World War 2. The headquarters is also located here and along with many other ruins and war relics, can be seen from the foot of Mount Davis all the way to top of the mountain although many are overrun by nature.
The route to the top is an easy hike on tarmac starting at The University of Chicago Hong Kong and then across Victoria Road to the Mount Davis Path which has a big sign saying "Mt.Davis Miltary Relics".
Starting at the bottom in the grounds of the university can be found Jubilee Battery, so called because the road that is on was named Jubilee Road, now renamed to Victoria Road. Number 1 and number 3 emplacements are placed on the lower slopes, and number 2 emplacement is the top position that can be immediately seen. Number 1 and 3 are difficult to find and I believe have been taken over by nature. Only the very keen would probably find them.
Each of the three gun positions here consists of a circular reinforced concrete structure for mounting the gun. The design is typical and can be seen at other locations across Hong Kong. Adjacent are above ground and underground Magazines for storing ammunition. The layout achieves the possible widest arc of fire and are positioned so that blast from each gun is shielded from the other positions.
Also of note are the ruins of Block C. During the riots of the 1960s this and another block were used detention centres and up even up to the 1990s were used by the police for witness protection. Block B lies within the university and can only be visited by request.
After you've experienced my delights or horrors of Hong Kong, see what the destinations below may have in store for you.
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