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Description
of position.
Troops available.
14
Appendix II.
Southern Division.
The position extends from Mount Davis on the right to Mount Cameron on the left, a distance of 3 miles. To the left of Mount Cameron is a commanding hill (Mount Edwards), which commands the Wong-nei-Cheong and Stanley Gaps; there are men enough to occupy this hill in force, but it is a very important position, and will be held by an outpost.
The Division is divided into three sections, viz. :—
1. Victoria Peak,
2. Mount Gough.
3. Mount Cameron.
The detail of the troops available for the defence is as follows:-
Armament.
No. 1 section
No. 2 No. 3
13
22
Total
..
..
**
..
•
150
+
150
150
450*
The armament will consist of four 6·6-inch howitzers, posted as follows:--
Near Mountain Lodge
Near Magazine Gap
**
In rear of Mount Gough Police Station
At Mount Cameron
•
1
1
1
..
1
Six 7-pounder mountain guns of 200 lbs. will be held in reserve at North Barracks ; they will be distributed as under :-
Weak points.
Attack.
Means to oppose.
Position of Officer com-`
manding.
Water supply.
Food supply.
Ammunition.
Communica- tions.
Tools.
At Mount Kellett
At Mount Gough
At Sanitarium
At Mount Cameron
At Pokfullum Road
1
..
2
•
••
1
1
The weak points are Mount Davis and the Pokfullum Road on the right, the Stanley and Wong-nei-Cheong Gaps on the left. The former would bring the enemy most quickly to a position from which he could paralyze the defence.
The most probable attack would be by the Pokfullum Road. If successful, he would take the town and the batteries at Belcher's and Fly Point, and render the most important part of the mine-field ineffective.
Fire of 6-6-inch howitzers near Mountain Lodge and on hill above Belcher's; long-range musketry fire from High West; musketry fire from redoubt above Belcher's; and infantry defence of Pokfullum Road.
The head-quarters of the Division will be at Mount Gough Police Station; those of sections will be-
No. 1 No. 2 No. 3
Mountain Lodge. Mount Gough. Mount Cameron.
There is a sufficient water supply from wells from Mountain Lodge to Wanchai Gap. Water will be carried to Mount Davis, High West, and Mount Kellett, and also to Mount Cameron until a well is dug there, which will be done at once on the position being occupied. Large casks will be provided at each of these posts to contain supply of water.
Daily rations and seven days' supply of biscuit and preserved meat in reserve at each redoubt or principal post; two days' reserve in minor posts.
Artillery, 100 rounds per gun; infantry, 200 rounds per man, besides what is carried in the pouch.
Field magazines will be constructed at the Howitzer Batteries, and at Victoria Gap and Mount Kellett.
A covered communication will be made from Mount Davis to the Pokfullum Road, and from near Belcher to the redoubt on hill above; also from Wanchai Gap to Mount Cameron. There are existing roads along the remainder of the position. Police line exists to Mount Gough and Mountain Lodge. Visual signalling will also be employed.
100 picks.
120 shovels.
12 sets miners' tools.
18 boxes carpenters' tools.
20 measuring tapes.
60 tracing tapes.
20 measuring rods.
20 mallets.
12 bill-hooks.
40 hand saws.
10 cross-cut saws.
10 saws set cross-cut.
40 files, saw, set cross-cut.
10 sledge hammers.
10 crowbars.
25 four-fold rules.
20 field levels.
10 rub stones.
15,000 sandbags.
25,000 yards wire, for entanglement.
They will be kept till wanted at head-quarters, and drawn as required.
* 200 of these to be kept in reserve in Murray and Victoria Barracks.
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