Tai Tam military structure [????- ] | Gwulo: Old Hong Kong

Tai Tam military structure [????- ]

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Submitted by 80sKid on Sun, 2013-10-20 08:18
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Tai Tam
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Submitted by 80sKid on Sun, 2013-10-20 08:26.

mentioned in 1980 Urban Council discussions, they wanted to knock it down and turn it into toilets, but decided against it because of future road works. Presume road widening ultimately resulted in its demolition. They describe it as a pre-war pillbox structure used a temporary store. See here

https://mmis.hkpl.gov.hk/coverpage/-/coverpage/view?_coverpage_WAR_mmisp...

Submitted by David on Sun, 2013-10-20 19:13.

That's a good find - I haven't heard it mentioned before. I guess there's a small chance it was one of those 'splinter-proof shelter' buildings (see http://gwulo.com/node/3813) instead of a pillbox, but a pillbox seems likely  - the location would have been good for a pillbox as it overlooked four different roads.

Regards, David

Submitted by 80sKid on Tue, 2013-10-22 07:33.

yeah my thoughts too. don't know of any other pillboxs in the immediate area

Submitted by David on Tue, 2013-10-22 22:00.

I found there are several mentions of troop movements around the Tai Tam crossroads in The Royal Rifles of Canada's Hong Kong War Diary, but no mention of any pillbox in the area.

Regards, David

Submitted by Rob on Sat, 2013-11-02 18:06.

Checked early post-war photo's and maps at the Map Office referring to the area around the Tai Tam Road "Pillbox". There appears to have been some small building(s) at the spot, but I am very doubtful if it/they were a PB, perhaps Shelters. They are shown in the area between Tai Tam Road and the road down to the Pumping Station, more or less opposite the - now - entrance to the Country Park, and toilet block, and just behind the present bus stop.

Checking from ground level, the area is overlooked by Bridge Hill to the West, Red Hill to the South, and an unnamed hill immediately East, occupation of any by an enemy would make the "Pillbox" ineffective. It would have little vision, being on the downhill side of Tai Tam Road, whilst the opposite direction would look directly into a cliff face 50 metres away.

 Can't be positive, but feel it was unlikely to be a PB.

Submitted by 80sKid on Mon, 2013-11-04 08:32.

Thanks Rob - the area you describe is same as marked on map. I'll change the description to military structure given it sounds unlikely it was a pillbox