Battery Eubank

Battery Eubank (1942-1945) - Battery Eubanks was a temporary, World War II 8 inch coastal railroad gun battery emplaced on Manhattan Beach Military Reservation in Los Angeles County, California. Battery support construction started in February 1942, was completed in August 1942 and oficially transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 20 May 1943 at a cost of $ 46,907.34. Deactivated in 1945.

World War II (1941-1945)

Part of the Harbor Defense of Los Angeles.

Originally built as a World War II temporary coastal gun battery with two 8" MKVI-M3 Naval guns mounted on M1A1 Army railroad carriages. This was a mobile railroad battery with two fixed emplacements located on a rail spur track. Two powder and two projectile storage structures were built adjacent to the siding. Two fake rollaway farmhouses were used to conceal the railcars when not firing.

A detachment of Battery E, 52nd U.S. Coast Artillery, from Fort Hancock manned Battery Eubanks from December 1941 until the spring of 1944 when the personnel were shipped out to Camp Breckinridge, Kentucky.

Battery Eubanks Armament (edit list)

Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model		Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
?	8" Rifle	368.9"	Mark VI M3	A2	127	Naval Gun Factory	Railroad, M1A1, # ?, Baldwin	1942-1945	See note 1
?	8" Rifle	368.9"	Mark VI M3	A2	237	Naval Gun Factory	Railroad, M1A1, # ?, Baldwin	1942-1945	See note 1
Source: RCW Form 1,8 Nov 1943, CDSG, Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages 116 Note 1: CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA

Battery Eubanks Plan

World War I (1917-1918)

The U.S. entry into World War I resulted in a widespread removal of large caliber coastal defense gun tubes for service in Europe. Many of the gun and mortar tubes removed were sent to arsenals for modification and mounting on mobile carriages, both wheeled and railroad. Most of the removed gun tubes never made it to Europe and were either remounted or remained at the arsenals until needed elsewhere. The guns of Battery Eubank were not affected by the World War I redistribution or the following 1920 disarmament program.

World War II (1941-1945)

Battery Eubanks was a part of the Harbor Defenses of Los Angeles plan throughout World War II. When the war ended in 1945 the battery was declared surplus. The guns and carriages were processed for salvage on dd mm Los Angeles County.

Current Status

No period guns or mounts in place.

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Location: Fort MacArthur, Los Angeles County, California Maps & Images Lat: 33.89083 Long: -118.40750 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 187'

Sources:

• U.S.Army, Supplement to the Harbor Defense Project Harbor Defenses of Los Angeles, (LA-AN-WDC-44), 31 Aug 1944, CDSG

Links:

• Wikipedia - 8 inch Mk. VI railway gun
• CDSG

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