Pinewood Battery

The battery was constructed in 1903 with two six-inches guns for the defence of the harbour. Located on a hill at 307m, it is the highest of all coastal batteries in Hong Kong and also comparatively very high among similar batteries in other parts of the world. The guns were later considered redundant and removed in 1913. In the mid-1920s, the battery was converted to anti-aircraft defence. Two three-inches anti-aircraft guns were installed as emplacements. On 15 December 1941, the Japanese 23rd Army Air Group carried out extensive attacks on Hong Kong Island. Pinewood Battery, manned by the 17th AA Battery fifth AA Regiment Royal Artillery, was severely damaged and subsequently abandoned. The site has been turned into a picnic area after the war.