What is Marker Stone?

There are over ten military marker stones along Stage 5 of MacLehose Trail. Military marker stones were mostly direction blocks showing location and direction of various military installations which included pillboxes, command and other military posts.

Sadly, the elements and vandals have left their marks over the years. Many marker stones are now disfigured or worn down.

War trenches are usually about 1 metre in depth which is deep enough for soldiers in full military gear to take shelter. By laying low along these narrow recesses, the defenders could avoid being hit and these trenches could serve as positions during counter-attacks.

This kind of war trenches can still be found in many areas. The next time you visit the countryside, keep an eye out for them.

British troops digging trenches before WWII

What is the function of Cave?

Caves were mainly employed as ambush positions, they were usually quite small and dug along small paths. Most of them were just over 1 metre tall and 0.75 metre wide, and the depth might vary, from a few metres to over ten metres. Each could accommodate one to several soldiers. Most caves had no escape exits, so very few defenders would expect coming out alive if they were to be used.

Caves dug by the Japanese can still be found in many parts in the countryside. During the war, the Allied Forces never launched a landing to re-capture Hong Kong. As a result, these caves were never used. Some of them are still in relatively good condition until this day.

A cave along MacLehose Trail.

Pillbox is rock mound?

What comes into mind when you see this rock mound?

With machine-guns positioned behind strong walls, pillbox was designed to repel enemy attacks. The exterior of the pillbox looked like a concrete box, with loopholes and a ventilation shaft at the top. The exterior walls were about 3 feet thick, strong enough to withstand attacks by 2-pounder guns commonly used by the British Army then. When in action, the pillboxes would be manned by several to over a dozen soldiers, who were responsible for operating and cooling of the machine-guns, and also handling of ammunition. There were retractable beds, ventilation ducts, munitions storage area and a water tank to meet daily and combat needs.

Pillbox

A marker stone is a military direction block

What is the function of Trench?

This is a war trench. Just before WWII broke out, as part of defences, the garrison troops had dug a lot of trenches like this in many hills and strategic spots across Hong Kong.

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