Pinewood Battery is a historic military site in Hong Kong

Hong Kong

Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...

, located at 307m above sea level, within Lung Fu Shan Country Park

Lung Fu Shan Country Park

Lung Fu Shan Country Park is a country park located in the Central and Western District of Hong Kong. It covers the densely vegetated slopes of Lung Fu Shan, including the disused Pinewood Battery as well as the Pinewood Garden picnic area, providing a scenic backdrop to the residential and...

, in the northwestern part of Hong Kong Island

Hong Kong Island

Hong Kong Island is an island in the southern part of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. It has a population of 1,289,500 and its population density is 16,390/km², as of 2008...

.

History

Construction of the battery started in 1901 and it was completed in 1905. During the Battle of Hong Kong

Battle of Hong Kong

The Battle of Hong Kong took place during the Pacific campaign of World War II. It began on 8 December 1941 and ended on 25 December 1941 with Hong Kong, then a Crown colony, surrendering to the Empire of Japan.-Background:...

, the Battery came under repeated air raids. On December 15, 1941, the Japanese 23rd Army Air Group carried out extensive attacks on Hong Kong Island. Pinewood Battery, manned by the 17th AA Battery 5th Anti-Air Regiment Royal Artillery

Royal Artillery

The Royal Regiment of Artillery, commonly referred to as the Royal Artillery , is the artillery arm of the British Army. Despite its name, it comprises a number of regiments.-History:...

, was severely damaged. The raid caused 1 death and 1 injury. One of the antiaircraft guns and certain other facilities were destroyed. The commander of the defending troops decided to abandon the battery, and all men were ordered to retreat on that day.

Conservation status

All the old battery buildings are in ruinous condition and two of the old magazines were demolished in fairly recent times. The war structures on Pinewood Battery have not yet been graded

Heritage conservation in Hong Kong

This article details the history and status of Heritage conservation in Hong Kong, as well as the role of various stakeholders.An indication of the size of the built heritage in Hong Kong is given by a territory-wide survey conducted by the Antiquities and Monuments Office between 1996 and 2000,...

 but they are items recorded by the Antiquities and Monuments Office

Antiquities and Monuments Office

Antiquities and Monuments Office was established when the Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance was enacted in 1976, to preserve Hong Kong's monuments under appropriate protection....

. A conservation status of Grade II had been proposed on March 18, 2009. The site and the buildings are managed by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department

Leisure and Cultural Services Department

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department , often abbreviated as LCSD, is a department in the Government of Hong Kong. It reports to the Home Affairs Bureau, headed by the Secretary for Home Affairs. It provides leisure and cultural activities for the people of Hong Kong, which was also one of...

, while maintenance is the responsibility of the Architectural Services Department.

The site today

The area has been converted into a picnic site. Interpretive signs are erected to illustrate the historical significance of this Battery.

With the excellent environment, the Battery became a spot for wargaming

Wargaming

A wargame is a strategy game that deals with military operations of various types, real or fictional. Wargaming is the hobby dedicated to the play of such games, which can also be called conflict simulations, or consims for short. When used professionally to study warfare, it is generally known as...

. To prevent further damage of the Battery, the Country and Marine Parks Authority, AFCD

Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department , formerly Agriculture and Fisheries Department before 2001, of the Hong Kong Government is responsible for agriculture and fisheries in Hong Kong, conservation projects and issues, and managing the country parks and special areas...

 has set up a warning sign on the site, stating that "using or possession of any firearm, airgun, propelling or releasing instrument are prohibited". However, many plastic BB bullets are still found on the site.