SAN FRANCISCO DEFENSE GUNS IN WW2Big gun harbor defenses of the Golden Gate were manned during the war by U.S. Army coast artillery units. The harbor defense system included underwater minefields, anti-aircraft positions, and a maritime shipping control system, in addition to the dramatic armament shown here.
| ||
THE BIG 16-INCH GUN
This is Battery Townsley, an emplacement for two 16-inch battleship guns. This battery was located on the northern flank of the Golden Gate defenses at Fort Cronkhite in Marin County. Here, the battery commander stands by one of his guns as the men clear away the camouflage netting. | ||
GUN DRILL ON 12-INCHER
The gun crew practices ramming powder bags into the breech of a 12-inch disappearing gun of Battery Mendell at Fort Barry, north of the Gate. Beyond this position are the cliffs of Point Bonita.
| ||
UNDER THE NETTING ON BAKER BEACH
Secondary batteries, like this 6-inch gun of Battery Chamberlain on Baker Beach in San Francisco, fired on the
submarine minefields off the harbor entrance. During the 1940's Baker Beach was heavily fortified with several gun batteries and numerous fighting positions.
Click here for more on this battery.
 |
