AOP on Mount Butler [1941- ] | Gwulo: Old Hong Kong

AOP on Mount Butler [1941- ]

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Submitted by Lewis on Tue, 2021-01-26 08:12
Current condition: 
Unknown
Date Place completed: 
1941-12-15

This AOP was mentioned in Philip Cracknell's book " Battle of Hong Kong". The location marker is not accurate, because I do not know where it actually is.

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Submitted by Rob on Tue, 2021-01-26 08:59.

This is accurate: https://gwulo.com/node/2595

 

Submitted by Lewis on Tue, 2021-01-26 09:01.

Philip cracknell mentions Mt Butler AOP and Mt Parker AOP.. He says that the two AOP's are completely different and this one was built on the 15th of December

Submitted by Rob on Tue, 2021-01-26 16:29.

Have a look at https://gwulo.com/Artillery-Observation-Posts-in-Hong-Kong#9/22.4939/113... to compare the positions.

Submitted by Admin on Sat, 2021-01-30 14:18.

Here's Philip's mention of this AOP, on pages 90-91 of his book:

East Group, RA, [...] utilised AOPs at Stanley Mound, Braemar Hill, Pottinger Peak, Mount Parker, Red Hill, and Jardine's Lookout. Two additional AOPs were opened on 15 December, one at Sai Wan AA Fort, and one on Mount Butler.

The first six were the permanent AOPs that appear in Rob's list at https://gwulo.com/Artillery-Observation-Posts-in-Hong-Kong. They were solidly-built concrete structures, and if they haven't been demolished they are still very clear to see today. The "additional AOP" on Mount Butler was likely created at short notice. It's not clear if the observers there had any trench or other structure to protect them, and whether any traces of it remain.

On page 175, Philip writes:

By noon on Friday 19 December, the Japanese had control of all the high ground to the south of their landing area, consisting of Mount Parker, Mount Butler, and Jardine's Lookout.

So this AOP was only in use for four days or less.