Chung Hom Shan Lewis AA gun position, Chung Hom Kok [1940- ] | Gwulo: Old Hong Kong

Chung Hom Shan Lewis AA gun position, Chung Hom Kok [1940- ]

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Submitted by Freddie on Wed, 2016-06-15 14:29
Current condition: 
Unknown
Date Place completed: 
1940-03-12

Current Condition: Intact

Tags: 
chung hom kok
Chung Hom Shan
Lewis AA gun
Anit-Aircraft
Chung Hom Kok Battery
AALMG
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Submitted by gw on Wed, 2016-06-15 21:36.

This is a photo of an inscription in cement just a meter or two from the Gun Position.

Chung Hom Shan Lewis AA gun position
Chung Hom Shan Lewis AA gun position, by gw

Reliable sources tell me it says "Made 12th March 1940". I suspect it may refer to the construction date of the Gun Position.

Submitted by Freddie on Wed, 2016-06-15 23:39.
Hi gw, Thanks for postingt the inscriptions. That's very interesting. I didn't aware of it last time. I should go look for it next time. Did you notice there's a trench/ditch by its side? We ventured along and found another wartime water tank. It's much bigger in scale than the one above the AA gun position. Freddie

Submitted by Freddie on Wed, 2016-06-15 23:48.
I have changed the completion date to March 12, 1941 as per the inscription picture posted by gw.

Submitted by gw on Sat, 2016-06-18 12:36.

Hi Freddie,

Well done for following the water channel as far as the water tank. In 2014 when I attempted to follow the channel I didn't get far before giving up due to the thickness of the undergrowth.

I presume this is the water tank you were referring to "above" the Gun Position.

Chung Hom Kok Shan Water Tank
Chung Hom Kok Shan Water Tank, by gw

I also presume the small stones embedded in the roof were for camoflage. It's strange that they camoflaged the water tank but left the Gun Position sticking out like a sore thumb, totally exposed and without any camoflage - at least none that has survived until now, although I suppose it may have been painted back in the day.  

Submitted by Freddie on Sat, 2016-06-25 19:58.

Hi gw,

What a nicely camouflaged water tank!  We opened the lid and were surprised to see the hinges are still functional to date.  I am starting to think it could be a post-war structure consider its relatively good condition.  

Chung Hom Shan Camouflaged Water Tank, Chung Hom Kok
Chung Hom Shan Camouflaged Water Tank, Chung Hom Kok, by Freddie

The undergrowth was certainly quite thick at the beginning of the water channel adjacent to the AA gun position.  But we managed to clear the path anyway and got to see these zig-zag trenches ahead of us.  

Chung Hom Shan Water Channel-1, Chung Hom Kok
Chung Hom Shan Water Channel-1, Chum Hom Kok, by Freddie
Chung Hom Shan Water Channel-2, Chung Hom Kok
Chung Hom Shan Water Channel-2, Chum Hom Kok, by Freddie

We followed its lead and saw a rather big roofless water tank on the right side of the channel approximately 50m from the entrance.  The whole structure is badly damaged and we are not sure if the war had anything to do with it.  

Chung Hom Shan Military Water Tank-3, Chung Hom Kok
Chung Hom Shan Military Water Tank-3, Chum Hom Kok, by Freddie
Chung Hom Shan Military Water Tank-1, Chung Hom Kok
Chung Hom Shan Military Water Tank-1, Chum Hom Kok, by Freddie
Chung Hom Shan Military Water Tank-2, Chung Hom Kok
Chung Hom Shan Military Water Tank-2, Chum Hom Kok, by Freddie

The GeoMap shows that it is sitting exactly atop of those rows of barracks down the hill.  So I assume this could be the major water source for the whole compound and even the battery back in the old days, whereas the smaller camouflaged water tank above was serving specifically the troops garrisoned around the hill top and AA gun position.  Judging by the layout of the catchwater channel, I believe it is also helping to divert flooding away from the barrack compounds below. 

Map showing the military sites of Chung Hom Shan, Chung Hom Kok
Map showing the military sites of Chum Hom Shan, Chum Hom Kok, by Freddie

Regards,

Freddie

Submitted by Freddie on Sat, 2016-06-25 19:52.

Hi David,

I must have accidentally clicked the "finish" button twice that caused the duplicated upload of some of my photos.  I tried to delete them but to no avail.  Sorry....

Regards,

Freddie