Cape Peron K Battery Complex

Parent Place or Precinct

24003 Cape Peron K Battery and Barracks Group

Statement of Significance

The site of Cape Peron K Battery Complex has been associated with the defence of Australia since its acquisition by the Commonwealth in 1916. The place demonstrates technical achievement through its use of ‘Panama Mounts’, a versatile design that had the potential to achieve a 360° traverse to increase the capacity of its 155mm guns and has potential for interpreting the extensive coastal defence system of Western Australia during World War II.

Physical Description

Cape Peron K Battery Complex comprises Gun Emplacements North and South and their associated and adjacent Ready Ammunition and Storage Bunkers, a Battery Observation Post, an Operations Centre, archaeological deposits in and around the structures, and other structures associated with the Battery.

History

The sinking of HMAS Sydney, and the entry of Japan into the war on 7 December 1941, changed the strategic picture in the Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean theatres. Singapore fell on 15 February 1942, Darwin was bombed on 19 February by the same Japanese fleet that had attacked Pearl Harbour, and on 3 March, Broome was attacked from the air. The sudden conquest of Hong Kong, Singapore, the Dutch East Indies and the Philippines left Australia as the most suitable base for the development of an Allied counter offensive. It was realised that Japanese submarines and surface vessels would be active, and that there was a need to supplement Australia’s coastal defences. General MacArthur arrived in Darwin on 17 March 1942 and was invited to assume the role of Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in the Southwest Pacific Area. On 18 April, MacArthur assumed command over all Australian Forces. McArthur subsequently requested an inspection of facilities to ensure that the US Troops stationed in Australia would be properly protected and this led to the establishment of the Letter Batteries. In December 1942, the ‘K’ Battery personnel arrived in Fremantle without guns or searchlights. To control the coast defences of Cockburn Sound, HQ Southern Fire Command was formed in January 1943. Peron Battery was to be situated on the western end of Cape Peron with its Battery Observation Post (BOP) on the 30 metre feature some 300 to 400 metres to the south of the gun emplacements. The Operations Centre (Plotting Room) was located, among a thicket of scrub, behind the guns and northeast of the BOP. The battery was served by two 90cm searchlights located at John Point and Mushroom Rocks, not the 150cm searchlights usually associated with such batteries. The reduced threat to Western Australia finally led to further rationalisation in the second half on 1944. The 155mm guns on Cape Peron were withdrawn in December with the men assigned to developing CA/AA batteries. In early 1945, personnel were reallocated to anti-aircraft units in the Fremantle area and ‘K’ Australian Heavy Battery disbanded.

Condition

Gun Emplacement No 1 is almost completely covered by sand and vegetation. Gun Emplacement No 2 has suffered major structural damage due to erosion undermining its base. The Observation Post (OP) located on the highest point of Cape Peron, has for many years been a prominent vantage point. Continued pedestrian activity around the OP has, coupled with wind erosion, contributed to a serious undermining of the base of its foundation. Vandals have also defaced walls inside and outside the building.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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