Page 11
CHAPTER I.
7
5
19. To meet the case of an enemy running through the outer defences, there are batteries at Kowlcon East and North Point, on the east side of the harbour, and at Kowloon West and Victoria Battery on the west side, covering between them all the
inner waters.
20. The island of Hong Kong consists of a range of rugged hills, with peaks rising from 1,400 to 1,800 feet. The main or central ridge follows roughly the direction of the western, northern, and eastern shores, while spurs and steep outlying hills break up the whole surface to the south. Eight "gaps" or necks offer convenient passage across this ridge, which in several instances is effected by good roads. The possession of this main ridge,
which dominates both the northern and southern shores and of the gaps crossing it, is the ruling principle of the defence of the island against an enemy landing on the south shore. This defence is composed of infantry and guns of the
movable armament.
21. From the broken surface south of the main ridge arises the difficulty for the defence, that there is no point on the island which commands an extended view of the southern shore and the approaches therefrom; in fact, the mountain glens are concealed from view by the neighbouring ridges, and there are few spots in the island from which the eye can detect at one time movements in two neighbouring glens. This consideration, the smallness of the garrison in proportion to the extent of coast line, and the numerous possible landing places, lead to the conclusion that it is better to hold the garrison in as central a position as possible rather than to break it up into small weak parties, watching every possible landing place; but the necessity of guarding the dam at the Tytam Reservoir compels the garrison to throw a strong detachment in advance of the main position, for which Violet Hill affords an excellent position.
22. Fogs shroud the higher peaks for more than fifty days in the year, and the elevations above 1,000 feet for about thirty days in the year. The lower one descends the less the frequency of fog; but sometimes a fog so dense exists down to the level of the water that the local pilots run their craft ashore in the daytime. This is, however, a very rare occurrence. It is not thought, however, that its influence would be wholly against the defence-in fogs, as at night, men who know the ground will be less hampered by the dim light than strangers; and in no case can the fog be put forward as a reason for frittering the defence into patches and groups, but rather serves as an argument for keeping companies as intact as possible. If fogs envelop the positions of defence, its formed bodies and outposts must descend below their normal positions. As for an enemy's ships approaching without being observed from the high ground on account of fog, there is no spot on the island whence an observer commands all the sea approaches; and when the usual points of observation are in the mist, the approach of ships would be telegraphed from D'Aguilar, and made known by scouts thrown out to Wong-ma-Kok from the Stanley Telephone Office. Our scouts on Mount Davis would telephone ships coming from the west.
23. Briefly described, that portion of the mainland which enters more closely into the Scheme of Defence, known as the Kowloon Peninsula, is a tangled network of disintegrated granite hillocks, scored by crevices and gullies. It is bounded on the north by a chain of hills studded with peaks, which spring from the main ridge to heights varying from 900 to 1,980 feet. This chain of hills runs for two-thirds of the way due west and east, and then sharply recurves for the remaining distance to the south. The western and eastern flanks rest on the sea, and it thus forms a barrier wall, affording many facilities for defence. Six passes give communication across this chain, of which particulars are given later.
24. The possession of this chain of hills and the passes leading over it is an essential factor of the defence of Hong Kong against an attack from the mainland, for the reason that hostile guns mounted on these hills would command the harbour and take some of the batteries in reverse. The probability of this danger is remote, owing to the great physical difficulties which the steep northern slopes of the hills present to the movement of troops and guns, while, on the other hand, the communications on the southern slopes are in course of construction and are constantly being improved. The defence consists of infantry and guns of the movable armament.
[1022]
C
Page 11
Page 11
Page 11