3.7 inch Heavy Anti Aircraft Gun - Buckland Hill, Western Australia, Australia
S 32° 01.063 E 115° 45.403
50H E 382584 N 6456924
A World War II Era Anti-Aircraft Gun at a Military Heritage Site which formed part of the defences for Fremantle Harbour.
Waymark Code: WMH91Z
Location: Western Australia, Australia
Date Posted: 06/09/2013
Views: 9
A 3.7-inch anti aircraft battery was deployed at Buckland Hill near what is now known as the Leighton Battery Heritage Site. The guns were mounted on temporary mounts as it was planned to replace them with 6 inch guns when they became available. The 6 inch gun battery which replaced them was known as Leighton Battery, and that name has been applied to the Heritage Site. Buckland Hill is the most prominent feature on the nearby coast, and overlooks nearby Leighton Beach.
The 3.7-Inch QF AA was Britain's primary heavy anti-aircraft gun during World War II. It was roughly the equivalent of the German 88 mm FlaK and American 90mm, but with a slightly larger calibre of 94 mm. It was used throughout World War II in all theatres except the Eastern Front. The gun was produced in six major variants, two versions (mobile and fixed) and in considerable numbers. The Mk VI ordnance used only with a fixed mounting gave vastly increased performance. It remained in use after the war until AA guns were replaced by guided missiles, notably the English Electric Thunderbird, in the late 1950s.
The 3.7-Inch QF AA was used by Royal Artillery, Royal Marines, and Royal Malta Artillery. Other World War II users were India, Canada, East & West Africa, and Australia. It may also have been used by the USA, as there is one on display at the U.S. Army Ordnance Museum in Aberdeen, Maryland.
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