Smithfield World War Two Defence Site.
Under Army Headquarters Expansion Policy providing for the establishment of Minor Defended Ports, a Coastal Battery comprising two Breach Loading six inch Wire, Mark VII Guns was located at Smithfield overlooking the Timaru Harbour.
This Battery was designated the 85 Heavy Battery New Zealand Army and came under the command of the 11 Heavy Battery New Zealand Army, the name later being changed to the 85 Coast Battery New Zealand Army.
The Battery was first manned on the 16 July 1942, and until 13 October 1943 the Operational Role of this Battery was one of Anti-Invasion and the consequent denial to the Enemy of the use of Port of Timaru or nearby anchourages.
A secondary role allocated to the Battery was that of Mine Disposal, in accordance with Southern Military District Operation Instructions Number 11 of 4 February 1943.
On 13 October 1943, as a result of reductions in establishments in Coastal Artillery, this Battery ceased to function under its Operational Role and reverted to a Care and Maintenance Basis; with Ordnance and R.F. kept in such a condition, that the gun could be fired at "TEN MINUTES" warning.
In August 1944, as a result of further reductions in Coast Artillery, this Battery ceased to function as a Care and Maintenance Unit, and the camp was formally handed over to Area X, Sub-Area, Timaru.
On the 18 February, 1945 the Guns were shipped to Royal New Zealand Navy, Auckland and on 19 September 1944, the Ammunition was removed to the Ammunition Section, Southern Military District.
Provisional Estimates for the Establishment and erection of the necessary Gun Emplacements, Battery Observation Post, and other Camp buildings for the 85 Coast Battery, New Zealand Army, were approved by War Cabinet on 21 May 1942. Construction work on the Gun Emplacements was commenced immediately and in July 1942 was sufficiently advanced to enable one Gun to be mounted. Work on the Battery Observation Post, was commenced and completed about October 1942. The six inch Breach Loading Wire Mark VII Naval Gun was mounted on 16 July 1942 and ready for action. The Battery was first manned on 16 July 1942.
