A Touch of Santorini in Hong Kong — Chung Hom Kok Battery

Against a bright blue sky the Chung Hom Kok Battery stands reminiscent of Greece with just a touch of Santorini. The half-dome structure is beautiful, as it is set against a clear blue sky by the seaside. Yet official history has it that the Chung Hom Kok Battery had never seen a day of battle. During the 1930s, Britain’s Defence Committee determined that the Hong Kong Island would serve as the main venue of defence of Hong Kong. When this determination was made, the British built a series of defence structures in Hong Kong Island, particularly on the coastal areas. The Chung Hom Kok Battery was one of such structures.Nowadays it is a perfect venue for wedding photos. Originally, there were two cannons at Chung Hom Kok. They were located one above the other. As there was a concern that the upper cannon might damage the lower one during firing, the British added a half-dome cement structure to the lower cannon platform. This structure is what the pictures show. The No. 2 cannon platform remains intact with its signature half-dome coverage. Cannon No. 1, however, was demolished after the Pacific War. On the other hand, both cannons came with two searchlight platforms on a lower location. I was only able to find one on site. As the Japanese military advanced in Hong Kong, the Royal Regiment of Artillery’s 8th Battalion was guarding the Chung Hom Kok Battery. On December 18th, the Japanese troops landed in Hong Kong and rapidly proceeded with their offensive. On the 19th they have arrived at the Wong Nai Chung and Tai Tam Reservoir areas. The Eastern Fire Command of the British Force ordered the destruction of the three cannons under its command, including the Cape Collison Battery, the Bokhara battery at Cape D’Aguilar and the Chung Hom Kok Battery, in order to prevent critical defence facilities falling into the control of Japanese hands. The artillery did so as instructed, and then retreated to Stanley, which would become the “last man standing” when Hong Kong Governor Sir Mark Aitchison Young surrendered to the Japanese. #warhistory #cannonfort #hongkonghistory #hongkongheritage #battery #chunghomkok #hongkongisland #worldwar2