In good condition, although the entrance is partially blocked due to a small landslip outside the entrance. Separate concrete object on ground level approx 2m to the east of bunker - by appearance could be a second airvent, in addition to standard airvent on top of bunker. Approx 2m to rear still remains a trench, and then another trench 2m to the rear of that one.
Bunker is on path marked on map going approx due south from southern point of Matilda Hospital compound. The low-ish metal fence needs to be climbed to descent path from Matilda. Path starts near marker stones ( RN hospital opening etc.. ) - follow markers left by hashers through the shiggy.
Probably only about 100m south of Matilda, not 200m ( estimated from the edge of the hospital compound )
Photos that show this Place
Comments
re: Matilda AOP
The covering of the entrance may have been deliberate. There's a new entrance (ie a hole!) knocked through the back wall, then a tunnel leads into the hillside behind. I haven't had a look inside the tunnel yet. It seems similar to the Braemar Hill AOP, where a hole had been dug through the concrete floor, then a tunnel leads away, presumably to another exit. So this was a common Japanese modification to the British AOP.
Coincidentally, today I was reading Colin McEwan's wartime diary. One of his comments was about low morale among the soldiers manning a pillbox. He thought it could be because of the feeling that once you were in, you were unlikely to get out. Perhaps the Japanese recognised this problem, and made the changes to the AOPs? Certainly their tunnels usually have several exits.
The trenches are well dug, but I wonder who dug them? It was a hillside far from any fighting, and right next to a hospital. Seems odd.
I think the second concrete object is related to communications rather than ventilation. At least, I don't remember any holes for air.
Thanks for posting this - yet another thing that's been on my to-do list for too long!
Regards, David
PS Thanks to Rob Weir for giving me the directions to this one.
Matilda AOP
How do you guys manage to go through the hospital to the AOP without being kicked out?( Because I'm pretty sure it's kinda weird for people to just be jumping over their hospital fence to reach the AOP)
Re: ways to the AOP
Hi There,
I believe there are two other ways to go there and they are on the map up there.
1. Start from the minor foot path 231 from Peel Rise with a marker stone 23 at road side. The foot path may be difficult and unclear and it goes to the boundary of a very expensive house. Might be treated as Traspassers if you go that way;
2. Start from the same minor foot path 231 down at Island Trial. No stone marker there but last time I walked by, there seems to be ribbons left behind by previous hikers. This geerally follows the ridge line, but the lower part is much over grown;
Beware of snakes, wild boar and insects. Not suitable for beginners.
T
Matilda AOP
Hi Lewis,
I had similar concerns to yours before visiting the AOP a few years ago, but experienced no problems on the day. Waltzed in through the front gate without being asked where I was going, straight through the car park to the lawn at the south end of the building, then over the low fence and into the jungle. Numerous people visit patients in the Hospital everyday, so strangers are common. You'd probably have to explain yourself if you entered the building. May have changed due to covid. Good luck.
path
Hi, I went to Matilda Hospital today to find the AOP. I tried to find the path there, but it seems to be very very very overgrown now, and quite dangerous to get down there.
Re: Path to AOP
Take the Hong Kong trail to the pavilion near Distance Post 020, then take the path going northeast straight up to the AOP. Afterwards it's easier to see how to get out (I followed the hiking ribbons and hugged the retaining wall of the Matilda Hospital boundary to get out).