The above map for this place isn't accurate, as I'm not sure exactly where it is. [Update Jun 2008: The location is accurate now, confirmed by this map from the HKHAA.] This week's HK magazine has an article 'Tearing up the town' about historical areas that may be redeveloped and disappear. Their description of Tai Hom Village, Diamond Hill says:
The old pillbox (Grade-II) [ie it's a grade II listed building] is a fort built by the Japanese to defend Kai Tak airport. It was later abandoned and subsequently occupied by squatters. The fort was retained after the demolition of the village and is now one of the few remains of the old Kai Tak airport. Also in the area is the former RAF Hangar (Grade-III), which was used by the Japanese to store jets [I think they mean 'store aeroplanes'] and other machinery following their occupation of the territory.
Can anyone else give the exact location, or links to other info / photos of the pillbox?
MrB
UPDATE: More information about the hangar here.
Comments
Re: Japanese Pillbox at Diamond Hill
Hi MrB,
I found a picture of the pillbox.
http://www.hk-place.com/view.php?id=258
Please click on the 2nd link which says "大 磡 村 軍 事 設 施"
I visited the area last year but I can't seem to find the pillbox or the aerodrome. In the article, it says the pillbox is located at the east side of the former aerodrome. The aerodrome is located across the Hollywood Plaza.
Re: Japanese Pillbox at Diamond Hill
I also found a picture of the former aerodrome. Someone in the forum claimed that the pillbox is located somewhere in the northwest section of the picture.
http://www1.uwants.com/viewthread.php?tid=5835800&extra=&highlight=%A4j%EA%A9%A7%F8&page=1
Japanese pillbox at Diamond Hill
Thanks to Anonymous for the links and photos. It'll need a wander around the area to see exactly where that pillbox is.
Thanks also to Rusty, who has added several more pillboxes to the map, and also given some more information about this pillbox at Diamond Hill:
Interesting to see that Rusty believes the hanger that still exists in this area to be of Japanese origin, not British. I assume the hangar is the derelict building in the middle of photo #2 here.
Regards, MrB
Japanese pillbox at Diamond Hill
Moddsey sent in the following notes about the pillbox, written back in 2001:
Photo of the Japanese pillbox
We've received this photo taken in 2006.
Pillbox location confirmed
by this map from the HKHAA.