Page 44
Page 44
3
The troops in this section, augmented by the Reserves, are to close the back-door into Belchers.
No. III SECTION.-The Peak from Mountain Lodge to Wanchai Gap. Head-quarters, Mount Gough Police Station. E and F companies Rifle Brigade and the Volunteers.
E company Rifle Brigade and the Volunteers in war time at the Peak Hotel, with outpost at night on knoll flanking Pokfulum Dam; in peace time encamped at Mount Gough Police Station. F company Rifle Brigade, Sanitarium, with outposts on Wanchai, Aberdeen Road.
Movable Armament.-Two 66-inch howitzers below Mr. Hutchinson's house south side of Mount Kellet.
Two 66-inch howitzers on Mount Cameron, enfilading Wanchai- Aberdeen Road.
Volunteers.Six 7-pr. guns parked at Plunket's Gap for use:-Two at Mountain Lodge, two at Hacienda, and two at Mount Gough Police Station.
Six Maxims parked at Plunket's Gap to accompany troops.
These troops observe Mount Davis on the right, guard the approaches up the Pokfulum Valley, Mount Kellet and Aberdeen, Wanchai and Aberdeen Roads.
This must obviously be a distinct section, separated, as it is, from the Mount Davis Section by the pass about 1,000 feet below it, and from the Wong-nei-Cheong Section by the great pathless bulk of Mount Cameron.
Many guns are distributed in this section, because, with the exception of the Wanchai-Aberdeen Road, the paths and slopes from the south and Pokfulum Reservoir can be commanded from many positions on the high ground, thus enabling us to supply the lack of infantry by shell fire.
The position of the two 66-inch howitzers on Mount Kellet is a very commanding one from the southern slope of Mount Davis by Aberdeen Bay right round to the head of Deep Water Bay, but of course these guns would be more valuable if they admitted of more depression.
The Wanchai-Aberdeen Road is so defiladed by a bulge in the hill that it can only be commanded from a shoulder of Mount Cameron; this was apparently recognized in the 1889 Scheme; of course, in this position also, the two 6 6-inch howitzers are only a make-shift.
Guns have a freer scope in this section than in any other on the island. I assign the volunteers to the Peak Section, because they' own the guns which are needed there, and because it is easy of access from Victoria and accessible by cable tram.
In the event of an enemy trying to force the Mount Davis back-door, his right flank would be seriously menaced and Mount Davis commanded from the slopes of High West.
Communications.-The Peak Hotel, Peak Club, and the Mount Gough and Victoria Gap Police Stations are all in telephonic communication with Victoria.
No. IV SECTION.-Wong-nei-Cheong. Head-quarters, Wong-nei-Cheong Gap. G and I companies Rifle Brigade.
G company encamped at Wong-nei-Cheong Gap with an outpost on the hill above Deep Water Bay (II, in 1894 Scheme). I company, at the Reservoir, will have an outpost at Tetam Tuk. This company is to defend the dam and oppose the advance of an enemy from the landing places on the south; this is a very strong position and the retreat of the company can hardly be compromised, as besides the Wong-nei-Cheong Gap, it can retira on Quarry Bay.
Gap.
Movable Armament.-Two 8-inch howitzers above Wong-nei-Cheong
Two 7-pr. (150 lb.) guns on hill above Deep Water Bay.
Two 7-pr. (150 lb.) guns at Reservoir.
Two Maxims, Wong-nei-Cheong Gap.
Two 66-inch howitzers at Quarry Bay Gap.
Owing to the depth of the ravine which the dam blocks there is no position from which guns can bear on the approaches to the dam, in fact the ground is so broken that there is none between the dam and the summit above Wong-nei-Cheong. The two 6'6-inch howitzers at Quarry Gap bear on the knoll which the company at the Reservoir would naturally
y
Page 44
32
Page 44
Page 44