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Anti-tank trench in Belmont, New South Wales
The
Belmont Anti-Tank Ditch
was an
anti-tank trench
constructed in 1942 as part of the southern perimeter defensive system of the Port of
Newcastle, New South Wales
,
Australia
, as part of
Fortress Newcastle
during
World War II
. The anti-tank ditch was located 12 kilometres south of Newcastle, south of the town of
Belmont
.
At the time it was anticipated that the
Imperial Japanese Army
may attempt a beach landing between Belmont and
Swansea Channel
along
Nine Mile Beach
. Barbed wire fencing and machine gun emplacements were constructed along the entire length of Nine Mile Beach.
The anti tank ditch was constructed where the sand spit peninsular is only about one kilometre in width and is partially taken up by
Belmont Lagoon
which is a large marshy lagoon which is connected to
Lake Macquarie
by
Cold Tea Creek
.
Cold Tea Creek was dredged and straightened and the creek formed the anti tank ditch, which was designed to prevent enemy tanks proceeding north to Newcastle.
Anti-tank defences included two interlocking rows of concrete tetrahedrons tank traps or
Dragons Teeth
were located on the southern bank of the ditch to obstruct the movement of tanks. Twenty seven acres of dense scrubland to the immediate south of the ditch was cleared to deny cover to enemy forces and pile driven vertical timber posts or
Dumble Tank Stops
were located every five feet along the northern bank of the ditch to form a vertical barrier to any tanks that gained access to the ditch. The concrete tetrahedrons and vertical timber posts extended in straight lines from within Lake Macquarie to the sea.
A temporary bridge over the anti tank ditch was built of timber. In the event of attack it could be collapsed quickly into the ditch by the withdrawal of five bolts.
Many of the pile driven vertical timber posts or Dumble Tank Stops are still visible; however are slowly succumbing to the elements. Two concrete tetrahedrons have been relocated to the Ken Lambkin Reserve to form a memorial, and sit on the southern bank of the creek mouth.
The
8th Garrison
and
32 Brigade
of the
Australian Army
were responsible for the defence from
Adamstown
,
Dudley
,
Redhead
to
Blacksmiths
of the southern perimeter defensive system of the Port of Newcastle.
References
[
edit
]
- Lake Macquarie City Council
- National Archives
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