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Gun Sites at Cape Peron 1942 to 1945

A Wartime Legacy After the fall of Singapore in 1941, Cockburn Sound became a possible site for the British Far East Fleet's new base. Heavy artillery was set up along the coast from Swanbourne to Cape Peron, and on Rottnest and Garden Islands, to protect the proposed anchorage and its approaches.
The Peron or 'K' Battery was begun late in 1942 but never fired an angry shot The war zone moved away from Western Australia and the battery was decommissioned early in 1945

For many years the Peron Battery's field observation post on the highest point of the Cape has given visitors spectacular views of the surrounding coastline, but the gun sites were relatively unknown.
The construction of walkways in 1992 now gives access to the gun emplacements and their associated buildings. A restoration programme is being coordinated by the Rockingham and Districts Tourist Authority.
L Section The two 155 mm (6 inch) guns were of 1917 - 18 French design and manufacture. They were modified slightly by the United States Government after purchase for use in World War I.

This type of gun was later manufactured by the US and used m places of strategic importance such as Panama between the World Wars. About 60 of these guns, both French and American made, were released to Australia in 1943 under the Lend-Lease Agreement Though originally field guns drawn by heavy steam tractors, the guns at Cape Peron were installed on Panama mounts. These were circular concrete emplacements with a central pivot block on which the gun was mounted. The guns trail ends rode on a concrete and steel racer rail which allowed it to rotate quickly through large angles to cover moving targets at sea.

The Peron guns used 42.08 kg shells (100 lbs), had a maximum range of 18.4 km and could move through 270deg. They were supported by a field observation post and two searchlights for night firing.
As the guns proved troublesome to operate because of age and wear, it was decided to re?equip the Peron Battery with 5.25 inch guns which could also be used against aircraft.

However, by the time they arrived in Fremantle it was unlikely that Cockburn Sound would be used as a war time naval base, and they were not installed. In 1993, the Peron Battery was placed on the Interim List of the National Estate Register.

With Thanks

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