Middle Head Fortifications
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The Middle Head Fortification is located at the end of Old Fort Road, Middle Head, Georges Heights in Sydney, Australia. The fortifications at Middle Head formed part of Sydney Harbour's defences.
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[edit] History
The site on which they are built includes all fortifications that were built between 1870 and 1911. It contains the works of many periods and technologies that have survived side by side. Historically it dates from a time when defence was first moved away from Sydney Cove and towards The Heads.[1]
There were three sets of fortifications built on the Georges Heights and Middle Head in the 1870s and upgraded in the 1880s on the advice of British experts. These fortifications still exist, they are, the Lower Georges Heights Commanding Position, the Georges Head Battery and a smaller fort located on Bradleys Head, known as the Bradleys Head Fortification Complex. The first battery was built in 1871 and was designed by James Barnet, a colonial architect. The fort was built on a strategic location and received many additions until 1911. It formed part of a network of 'outer harbour' defences. They were designed to fire at enemy ships as they entered the harbour. The whole area is linked by an extensive network of underground tunnels, ancillary rooms and gunpowder magazine. The site also has its own underground power room that is supported by iron columns. The gunners Barracks were built from sandstone quarried on site and still exist to this day, they are located on Middle Head concealed in bushland. Underground tunnels and rooms were used to train some of Australia's first troops that were sent to Vietnam in 'Code of Conduct' courses (lessons in how to withstand torture and interrogation) by simulating prisoner of war conditions.
In 1974 the Middle Head fortifications featured in the movie Stone.
In 1979 most of the area became national park and the military has moved on to more strategic locations. The army base on site which included the transport group and 30 Terminal Squadron, left Georges Height's in 1997. The Headquarters Training Command section relocated to the Victoria Barracks in 2002.[2]
[edit] The Officers Quarters
The Officers quarters is a Victorian Regency style building that was built on a rough stone base. It was designed by Colonial Architect James Barnet and is considered as one of the most significant buildings at Middle Head. The site incorporates a defensive ditch or moat and includes a fortification wall. The house looking in the direction of Middle Harbour meant that it could be used for surveillance purposes as well.
One former resident was Major General Sir William Throsby Bridges KCB CMG, the first commander of the Australian Imperial Force and the commander of Australian forces at Gallipoli. Throsby Bridges was killed by a sniper whilst leading the forces at Gallipoli. His warhorse Sandy was brought back to Australia, seeing out its days in Victoria.
Primarily used as a residence this building originally housed two officers separately, a senior and junior officer.
During World War II this building served as a Red Cross Hospital and later as accommodation for the Australian Women’s Army Service. The house continues to be used as a residence.[3]
[edit] Restoration
Extensive restoration work has been conducted by the 'Sydney Harbour Federation Trust' which has revived many of the old buildings.
The sites facilities include:
- Former military hospital buildings
- Former Officers' mess
- Former barracks converted to the School of Pacific Administration
- Former 10 Terminal Transport Depot, later the Army School of Intelligence
- 30 Terminal Transport Depot
- Former Submarine Miners' Depot, later Army Maritime School
- Wharf, jetty
- Training facilities
- Fortifications systems
- Depots, barracks, mess halls
- Residential accommodation
- Ovals
 Looking south over the fortification. |
 Stairs leading down to an underground chamber from the gun emplacement pictured right. |
 A disappearing gun emplacement that connects to the underground tunnel network. |
 Inside the fort. |
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 Looking north towards the North Head at Manly |
 Middle Head fort tunnel. |
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 Machine gun nest |
 Middle Head Fortifications looking north |
 Part of the under ground fortress tunnel network |
 Stairs leading to an underground section |
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- Middle Head Fortifications is at coordinates Coordinates:
- www.harbourtrust.gov.au Middle Head history.
- www.ozatwar.com / Australia @ war.
- Australian Bunker & Military Museum.
- http://members.tripod.com/~coastalgunner/index.html
