South Battery - A WWII concrete, dual-purpose, gun emplacement intended for anti-aircraft defence and low level fire against hostile maritime incursions. There was another emplacement at the north end of the island and each was operational by 1942. Each was equipped with two 4.5 inch AA Mark II guns and there were searchlight posts close by complete with diesel generators. The nearby Moncrief Pits were used as air-raid shelters and one report lists there were 26 Nissen huts erected on the island which accommodated 488 men. The maximum military population of the island during WWII was probably 380 men and 10 officers. [001] [1319]
25th September 1941 - Winches now installed on Flat Holm and two 4.5-inch guns have been mounted at the South Site. They will soon be operational but are not yet protected by emplacements. - borrowed from the chapter entitled 'War Diary of the Islands' within the book ' Flat Holm Island' by Bob Jory and Friends. [1317]
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