MOUNT MARTHA BUNKER 2
ESPLANADE MOUNT MARTHA, MORNINGTON PENINSULA SHIRE
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Statement of Significance
This record has minimal details. Please look to the right-hand-side bar for any further details about this record.
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MOUNT MARTHA BUNKER 2 - History
As early as the 1820s, it had been realised that the Mornington Peninsula might have a major defence role if Western Port ever came under attack, and by the late 1870s there were concerns that Australian ports could become targets for in vading forces. As a result. seaport defences were improved and fort ification at the Heads was increased in 1884, in case an enemy tried to fonn a colony in Western Port. These works resulted in Melbourne being one of the best defended ports in the British Empire. From 1887, there were annual encampments within the Langwanin Military Reserve (22 km north east of the activity area), and training manoeuvres ranged over much of the Momington Peninsula (Calder 2002: 139). During the Second World War, the district near Momington was used for Victoria's annual military camp in. In March 1939, paddocks at 'Beleura' (an Italianate villa in Momington) and open areas at Mount Martha provided encampment sites for 750 men of the loth Infantry Brigade. Mimic warfare was staged for six days, with Gallipoli-like scaling of beaches between Mount Eliza and Mount Martha, and a mock battle for the key position of the Momington pier. In 1939, military camps were developed at Mount Martha. The role of these camps, known as the Fourth Army Division, was to defend Port Phillip and the Momington Peninsula. Mount Martha was selected for its central locati on on the Momington Peninsula, railway access, suitable terrain for training exercises, potential rifle range sites, and abundance of partly developed farmland. The first army camp was set up by the 5'h Battalion in empty paddocks in Mount Martha. The Mount Martha Army camp was established north of Bay Road (4 km north east of the activity area) in 1939 (Plate 1). Tents were also set up along Watson Road (4 km north east of the activity area) for the Balcombe Army Camp, and eventually all of the land between Craigie and Hearn Roads (1.8 km north east of the activity area) was absorbed by what became known as 'Camp City'. The American 151 Marine Division stayed at the Balcombe Army Camp from December 1942 to September 1943, using it as a place for rehabilitation, recuperation and training (Calder 2002: 140-1 , 145-9).
During the CHMP fieldwork, two bunkers were identified on cliff slopes to the west and south west of the activity area, facing Port Phillip Bay. These bunkers were probably used as lookouts, or for military training purposes, during World War II (Plate 2).
Once the Second World War ended in 1945, the Mount Martha Military Camp was closed. Balcombe Army Camp continued initially as a rehabilitation centre for injured soldiers. then as a place for prisoners-of-war, and finally became the Australian Army Apprentices School in May 1948. The School was relocated to Latchford Barracks in December 1982, and the land was purchased by the Shire of Mornington for residential development in 1984 (Calder 2002: 151-2).
MOUNT MARTHA BUNKER 2 - Interpretation of Site
In 1939, military camps were developed at Mount Martha. The role of these camps, known as the Fourth Army Division, was to defend Port Phillip and the Mornington Peninsula. The Mount Martha Army camp was established north of Bay Road (4 km north east of the bunkers) in 1939. These bunkers were probably used as lookouts, or for military training purposes, during World War II
MOUNT MARTHA BUNKER 2 - Archaeological Significance
The site was not inspected and therefore it is difficult to assess the archaeological significance at this stage. From a distance the site appears to be intact. Very few bunkers are registered on the Victorian Heritage Database The Mornington Peninsula has 14 registered historical places associated with the military however only two sites include bunkers in the description (H 1502 South Channel Fort & H1098 Fort Franklin)
MOUNT MARTHA BUNKER 2 - Historical Significance
The site has Victorian military significance. It contributes to Victorias Heritage Framework theme 7: Governing Victoria, 7.4 Defending Victoria.
Heritage Inventory Description
MOUNT MARTHA BUNKER 2 - Heritage Inventory Description
WW2 bunker located in a rocky headland at Mt Martha
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MOUNT MARTHA BUNKER 1Victorian Heritage Inventory
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MOUNT MARTHA BUNKER 2Victorian Heritage Inventory
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