Pacific Coast Artillery in Canadian Serviceby GWL Nicholson.
Canada's Weapons of War Series, WOW034
A5 size softback, 24 pages
ISBN: 978-1-894581-69-1
Service Publications,
Canada
Review by Peter Brown
Defending ports and installations against attack or bombardment from the sea was still a major consideration in WW2.
Canada reviewed its coastal defences in the late 1920s and a complete plan was devised covering the types of guns to be put in each location for various purposes. Putting this plan into practice was very slow however, with the outbreak of war an interim scheme was put into action usually involving building the emplacements for the guns they should have had but fitting what was available.
This book is different from other Canadian Weapons of War series productions as it is based on a report compiled in 1944 by the Canadian "official historian" with additional details for non-military readers such as defining the difference between BL and QF guns. It covers the intended plans and what actually happened including details of what equipment was used in each location. This covers the guns themselves, supporting searchlights and the command and control measures for them.
It uses several period photos of guns, lights and emplacements but does not have any equipment plans, however a map shows the location of the many coast artillery sites.
These defences were never called on to fire in anger which means they were either a complete waste of resources or completely successful in deterring the enemy. Whichever view you take, this book sheds light on a form of defence which is now a thing of the past but is still well worth studying.
Thanks to Clive Law at Service Publications for the review book.
