As a result of the development of military airpower during World War I, the Army developed a 3-inch rapid-fire antiaircraft gun, which was distributed to the forts for protection of the batteries. In 1920, four antiaircraft emplacements were constructed at Fort MacArthur, two on the White Point Military Reservation near Hamilton Ave. and two on the bluffs on the Middle Reservation near Pacific Ave. Four concrete pads were laid in June 1920 at a cost of $1660.
The 3-inch guns were 174.65 inches long, Model 1917, Nos. 63,75,118, and 130 made by the Watervliet Arsenal. They were mounted on October and December 1923 on pedestals Model 1917, Nos. 136,144,156 and 160, made by the Watertown Arsenal.
In the 1930s two more emplacements were built and armed on the cliff edge on the Upper Reservation.
On February 25, 1942, the "Great Great Los Angeles Air Raid" occurred between 2:54 and 4:00 am. For some unknown reason an antiaircraft gun fired and then all the guns in the area started firing. In addition all the searchlights came on and helped add to the mayhem. Thousands of rounds were expended at the "mysterious" target before a cease-fire could be implemented. The falling shrapnel from the exploded 3-inch rounds damaged buildings and cars.
In May 1942, a new three-gun battery was built behind Battery 241 near Point Fermin. Two of those guns had carriages originally emplaced at White Point. A magazine, director and height-finder shelters were also built for a total cost of $10,000.
The three guns were 3-inch, 174.62 inches long, Model 1917-A2, Nos. 2, 16 and 17, Manufactured by the Watervliet Arsenal. They were mounted in 1943 on pedestal carriages Model 1917 M11, Nos. 136,144, and 160 manufactured by the Watertown Arsenal.
During late 1943 and 1944, 12 40-mm guns
and 34 50-caliber machine guns were added to the existing large
caliber batteries for antiaircraft defense.
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