World war II sights in Auckland

War sites in East Auckland: Howick: Stockade Hill, which was originally built in 1863 because of a perceived threat from Waikato Maori, became a memorial to fallen soldiers after World War I soldiers asked for one when they returned home. World War II soldiers were added after 1945. Eastern Beaches: There were barbed wire entanglements to stop invading troops at Howick Beach, Cockle Bay and Mellons Bay. Locals would have to cut the lower wires and crawl under if they wanted to go fishing or swimming. Gun emplacements can also be seen at these beaches today. Panmure: There were 15 known tank traps between Panmure and Maraetai, including a large one on the Panmure Bridge. The traps caused huge traffic jams from people wanting to go to the Eastern beaches on the weekends. Maraetai: During World War II, Magazine Bay explosives store at Maraetai was extended and camouflaged, protected by a platoon of Home Guard soldiers who had a camp at Maraetai. The bay got its name from the magazines of ammunition stored there. Bucklands Beach: The heritage building at Musick Point was a radio communication centre for aircraft and ships in the Pacific from 1942. A bunker was built nearby in case the station came under attack. There was also a barracks and military guard post complete with a pill box on site, but these have now disappeared.
War sites on the North Shore: North Head: Originally a defence fort set up because of a feared attack from the Russians in the late 1880s, it was later expanded as part of Auckland's coastal defence system in World Wars I and II. Mt Victoria: Mainly used for observation but also had guns. Eastern coastline: There were also defensive instalments with guns and observation posts strung all the way up the east coast beaches to Long Bay. Hillcrest: A US Army camp was here. Takapuna: Barbed wire blockades were set up along Takapuna Beach to stop invading troops. In World War I, a military camp was built. In 1918, it held German prisoners of war. Campbells Bay: There are tunnels underneath Kennedy Park which lead to gun emplacements. There was also a bunker connected to the tunnels. Albany: A pillbox remains.
War sites in the South: Sylvia Park The site of huge stores for food and military supplies for the Armed Forces. The Sylvia Park shopping centre is now on that site. Otahuhu An air raid shelter, the remains of which still exist today, was built at Otahuhu College in case of attack. Mangere An airfield - later developed into the international airport of today - was pulled into service for troops and supplies. Papatoetoe A camp for American Marines was set up on Puhinui Rd. Manurewa Camps for American Marines and returning New Zealand soldiers were dotted along Hill Rd. Ardmore The air force built two runways; they are still Ardmore Airport's main runways. Papakura Training camps were built at what became a major national army base on Walters Rd and Porchester Rd. Some buildings and army houses survive. Camps for Allied forces were at Opaheke and Karaka.
War Sites in Waitakere Te Atatu: Gun emplacements on Te Atatu Peninsula. Next to Gunner Drive, there were once antiaircraft guns here to protect western airfields from aerial attack. Hobsonville: Dummy aircraft. To fool Japanese bombers, fake planes made from plywood were built and positioned in farmland in the northwest region. Titirangi: Tank traps on Scenic Drive. Avondale: A military camp was stationed at Avondale Racecourse. In 1943, the site and buildings of Avondale College was US Naval Mobile Hospital Number 6. Intended to treat wounded army and naval personnel, this never eventuated. Northwest: An anti-tank ditch was dug from Kumeu to Redvale; it was later abandoned. Southwest: Another ditch was dug for a western defence line from Avondale to Green Bay. It had pillboxes (concrete forts) all along it. Swanson:A top-secret fuel storage tank was hidden near the railway tunnel in Swanson. It held back-up fuel for use if the Japanese bombed fuel tanks at Freemans Bay and Whenuapai. It also fuelled planes at Whenuapai. Very few people knew of its presence.