Post by mgk1951 on Dec 11, 2009 17:30:50 GMT 8
Hi
Marked on the 1936 Corregidor Map are a number of MG Towers. There are several marked near G1/3, B1/7 Groupment/Battery Post for Way and Geary; and near the entrance to Wheeler Tunnel. I had wondered what they were. Luckily, the July-August edition of the 1934 Coast Artillery Journal provided the answer in the form of an article.
Article extract:
"For use in a fixed defense, where the terrain does not permit clearing the trees to provide a sufficient field of fire, the high-pedestal mount for antiaircraft machine guns, as built by Battery F, 60th C. A. (AA), at Fort Mills P. I., has been found satisfactory.
The original plan contemplated of a frame tower for each gun. In 1932 we built two experimental towers, each 20 feet high. One was of four 6” x 6” wooden columns with suitable braces. The other was of rope-lashed bamboo. These towers were considered to be reasonably satisfactory for their height, but did not give promise of sufficient steadiness at heights of 30 feet or more. The single-pole towers were designed in the expectation that they would be both steadier and cheaper than the frame towers. In tests so far they have proved to be very satisfactory.
The support consists of a single pole, with concrete footing and wire-rope guys. In its top is a cast iron socket to receive the shank of the yoke mount of the antiaircraft machine gun tripod, M1. A platform is built on the outriggers to accommodate the gun crew. The pole is of the proper height to bring the gun to the level of the tree-tops."
Regards
mgk
Marked on the 1936 Corregidor Map are a number of MG Towers. There are several marked near G1/3, B1/7 Groupment/Battery Post for Way and Geary; and near the entrance to Wheeler Tunnel. I had wondered what they were. Luckily, the July-August edition of the 1934 Coast Artillery Journal provided the answer in the form of an article.
Photograph accompanying the article
Article extract:
Machine Gun Towers
By Lieutenant G.F. Heaney, Jr., 60th C.A. (AA)
"For use in a fixed defense, where the terrain does not permit clearing the trees to provide a sufficient field of fire, the high-pedestal mount for antiaircraft machine guns, as built by Battery F, 60th C. A. (AA), at Fort Mills P. I., has been found satisfactory.
The original plan contemplated of a frame tower for each gun. In 1932 we built two experimental towers, each 20 feet high. One was of four 6” x 6” wooden columns with suitable braces. The other was of rope-lashed bamboo. These towers were considered to be reasonably satisfactory for their height, but did not give promise of sufficient steadiness at heights of 30 feet or more. The single-pole towers were designed in the expectation that they would be both steadier and cheaper than the frame towers. In tests so far they have proved to be very satisfactory.
The support consists of a single pole, with concrete footing and wire-rope guys. In its top is a cast iron socket to receive the shank of the yoke mount of the antiaircraft machine gun tripod, M1. A platform is built on the outriggers to accommodate the gun crew. The pole is of the proper height to bring the gun to the level of the tree-tops."
Other photographs accompanying the article
Regards
mgk