Pillbox near Wanchai Gap [1940- ]
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Submitted by David on Mon, 2008-11-03 12:05
Current condition:
Ruin
Date Place completed:
1940-01-01
Tim Ko's 'War Relics in the Green, ISBN: 962 993 295 4' has a section 'Wanchai Gap and Lady Clementi's Ride'. The map on that page shows three pillboxes. T has already added the one by the dam, and the one to the East of the reservoir. Here's the third.
If you walk down Aberdeen Reservoir Road from Wanchai Gap, a short way down a clear trail leads off to the left. The trail goes straight for a short distance, before u-turning back to the left. From memory, the Pillbox is on that bend.
Photos that show this place
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 2021 |
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Comments
Checked out the location earlier today
Hi there,
I checked out the location earlier today. The read out from my GPS logger for this pillbox is approximately Lat: 22.265691 Long: 14.16773
Best Regards,
T
Updated
Add more tags on this
Dear Mr B,
Would you please add a bit more tags on this one so it would also show itself while browsing related ones? Suggestions: Aberdeen, Aberdeen Reservoir, Lady Clementi's Ride.
Best Regards,
T
Rob's notes
Wan Chai Gap PB, Wan Chai Gap
Year completed is: Approximate
Condition at last visit: Intact
Date of last visit: Jul-1995
Ref: ROB-00694
Other: Sealed closed.
Great condition PB
Visited this one this past weekend. Definetly one of the best condition PB's on the island. Almost all the original camoflauge exist, no siginficant damage on 95% of the structure and most of the metal is still there.
Its also not actually sealed up anymore. The rusted door is wedged in the way, with a small but impassable opening. I think it could be easily dug out, but I did not want to force my way in for fear of damaging the door (which still had many original features). I could see inside the small tunnel/hallway which was reasonably clear of debris, with the usual metals wallhooks, etc.
I dont know if the site would have been in action because of its location being somewhat removed from most of the japanese advances. Unless it was in action against latter Japanese advances on Bennetts Hill/Brick Hill. I suspect the soldiers could have been withdrawln somewhat early and replaced with auxilliaries?
regards
As at July 2018
As at July 2018, Of the 3 boxes around Aberdeen Reservoir and Wanchai Gap. It is possibe to get inside this one. It is well preserved Some rubbish left inside.
It has only become accessible
It has only become accessible within the last year. The door was previously sealed against the structure but has since been knocked down. The PB is in very good condition, as are most that avoided fighting or squatters.
Fighting
I think the pillbox experienced some action during the battle of Hong Kong, since on the 25th of December, the Japanese had control of Mount Nicholoson and Wanchai Gap. This pillbox would be behind front lines