Regional News

29/04/2009: We are pleased to announce that our new SITE O International Homepage has now been launched, as a replacement for our defunct www.siteo.net Web Site:

The URL for the new Homepage is: http://sites.google.com/site/siteointernational/Home Do check it out - and bookmark it to follow its future development. It is still very much a "work in progress" at this point. Many of the links on the Fortification, Artillery and Castles Pages require overhauling or replacement - and are not currently functioning. (This will be done over the next month, or so).

We do hope you will like the result. We have tried to retain much that will be familiar, while adding some new Pages and features - and giving the Homepage a fresher and more up to date look. Let us know what you think!

29/04/2009: The SITE O Regional Pages for the United Kingdom and Ireland have been moved to our new SITE O International Homepage:

17/02/2009: Many Members may be looking at downloading Microsoft's new Windows Explorer 8 Internet Browser (currently, in its final pre-release stages):

Basically, the Browser itself looks great! It is a vast improvement on its predecessors. However, (in its current pre-release form) it does do "strange things" to some Web Sites. Even major ones, run by large ISP's - like Yahoo's Flickr!

All of the SITE O Regional Pages, around the World - appear to display as intended. Surprisingly, however - the Regional Photo Album for Australia and New Zealand (hosted by Flickr.com), does not! The photos and captions do not align correctly.

A "quick fix" to remedy this, is to simply refresh the Page - each time you enter the Web Site. (Tweaking the Browser's "Compatibility View" settings on the Tools Menu doesn't permanently resolve the problem.) It is frustrating having to do this - every time you enter the Site - and we can only hope that this unfortunate "bug" will be fixed, when the final release version comes out. (The current version available is "Release Candidate 1" - so there will be more "fixes" to come.)

I would certainly recommend that all non - SITE O Webmasters check their Sites for compatibility, at this stage - and submit "bug" reports to Microsoft, if necessary.

01/12/2008: Our long-running International Web Site (www.siteo.net) is no longer available on-line:

A couple of months ago, the www.siteo.net Domain Name expired - and it was decided, after some considerable discussion, that rather than just renew it - the time was right for a total re-build and re-launch of the Site. Work is therefore underway on constructing a new "SITE O International Home-Page" - to replace the original Site.

It is expected that the re-build and re-launch process will take several months to complete, so in the meantime - we will be operating via the Regional Pages alone. We hope that any disruption or confusion over this period will be minimal - and apologise for any inconvenience that may be caused.

Hopefully, the finished product will be an up to date International Home-Page - that will serve us well, for many years to come. We will advise the new URL - as soon as it is ready for viewing.

Bruce is from the Waikato Region of New Zealand - and he has a keen interest in New Zealand Fortifications. Thank you for deciding to join SITE O, Bruce - and we really hope you enjoy your Membership.

13/09/2008: Søren Østergaard, our Regional Director for Scandinavia, has advised that the SITE O Regional Pages for that area now have a new URL.:

The new Web address is: http://www.fortress-scandinavia.dk - and all links on this Site have been updated, accordingly. I also note that Søren has added some great new material, since my last visit to his Site. Do Check it out! (Please update your "favorites" list, as well.)

Public Open Day at Fort Ballance (Wellington, New Zealand) on Saturday 28th June 2008 10:00am to 4:00pm

28/05/2008: SITE O Member Peter Cooke has advised that a special "one off" Public Open Day will be held at Fort Ballance on the above date - as part of the "Heritage Month" activities.

This will be a great opportunity for all who happen to be in Wellington that day to have a look around this very historic (and normally restricted) site. Admission is free - and access to the Fort is via Fort Ballance Road (next to the Fisheries Research Facility in Mahanga Bay). There is no vehicular access to the Fort, so you will need to park in Mahanga Bay - and walk up the road from there. Put it in your diary now - and I'll hopefully see you there, if you can make it!

The Site is published by John Wright, who is our new Regional Director and Webmaster for this part of the World. Well done, John - and best wishes for the future!

The Home Page is already "up and running" - and John will add more pages and information, as time permits. Check it out - and bookmark it, to follow future developments! A big "thank you" John, for accepting the challenge of producing a Web Site for this most important Country. You will certainly have no end of fascinating material to work with!

It should also be noted that John has the distinction of becoming our 500th Member, Internationally. Something of a mile stone, in the history and development of SITE O - over the past 10 years. "Congratulations, John! I'm sorry to say though, - there is no prize for it!"

Matthew is from Victoria, Australia - and has a keen interest in German World War Two Fortifications and in Australian subterranean Fortifications. He is also a collector of Australian militaria from the 1942 to 1972 period.

Matthew, we are delighted you have decided to join us, and we hope you really enjoy your SITE O Membership.

26/03/2008: 2008 is the 10^th Anniversary of SITE O, if I remember correctly. This might be an appropriate time to put out a SITE O Journal, something like that of the Coast Defense Study Group or that of the Fortress Study Group. (We will have to limit it to black and white illustrations.) I do not know how many of you are interested in taking part, but here are the details:

1. SITE O is free and shall remain that way. Thus, we need no Treasurer and do not have to file official papers for a tax-exempt status. The membership is made up of those who have a common interest in fortification and artillery and nothing is required of the membership in the way of obligations. For many of you, you have found that the organization has put you in contact with people around the World. Many members have also have joined the Coast Defense Study Group or the Fortress Study Group, but others have not. In some cases, these two groups have even published articles by our members and used them to help organize tours. Since we do not have any funds - and never will, if we do put out a journal those members that want a copy will have to purchase it directly from the Publisher. (Not from the SITE O organization.)

2. The SITE O Journal will be published by Merriam Press which is a small operation, but does produce professional work. Some of the people who have published with it in the past have now become well known authors after doing some of their first articles for Merriam's World War II magazine or books with the Merriam Press. They included the following:

The late Rear Admiral Kemp Tolley did articles and later published books with Naval Institute Press.

Hugh Page Taylor did an article and later did a series on the SS for Bender.

Charles H Bogart did articles and the book Controlled Mines (still available).

William Wolf did articles and a book on German Guided Missiles. He has since published books with Schiffer.

Bruce Culver did articles and later did a number of armor books for Squadron and Uwe Feist.

General David Zabecki did two of his books and later published with two major scholarly publishers books on World War I and World War II. He also became an editor of Viet Nam Magazine.

3. The articles in the Journal can be of any length and can have any number of illustrations. Only Black & White illustrations will be used, although a few color photos may be on the cover. The articles can be mostly illustrations with little text or they can be all text. The type of articles sought are:

4. Each person contributing an article and illustrations is responsible for any required permissions. The ownership of the articles remains with the author, in the event that he wants to re-publish it somewhere else, later. Merriam, himself, will copyright the journal, but there will be a disclaimer stating the authors are responsible for the content of their articles – and retain ownership of them.

5. Of course, I do not know if there are enough of you interested in preparing articles. You will have to contact me and let me know in a few sentences what you propose and how many pages (illustrations are normally 2 per page). If enough of you are not interested in doing articles, we will not attempt to do the project. If too many of you should want to do articles, we (the Regional Directors and I) will select the articles and try to represent each region. If there is enough interest, we can do a journal each year.

The Site is published by Søren Østergaard, who is our new Regional Director and Webmaster for this part of the World. Well done, Søren - and best wishes for the future!

The Site is already fully "up and running" - and it contains lots of really good links to other Fortification and Artillery Web Sites, in this fascinating and historically rich area. Check it out - and bookmark it, to follow its further development!

26/02/2008: SITE O Member Michel van Best is presently concluding a lengthily tour of South East Asia, Australia and New Zealand. He has uploaded his trip photographs to the Internet - and they can be viewed at: http://waarbenjenu.vanbest.net/index.htm He certainly hasn't missed much!

This is a truly massive collection of Fortification and Artillery photos (it took me two nights, with high-speed Broadband - to get through them all) - and the standard of photography is absolutely outstanding.

Unfortunately, Michel tells me this Site is only temporary - and he hasn't decided at this stage if he will continue to display the photos elsewhere on the Internet - in the future. The message is simple: "Get in NOW - and view this great collection, - before it disappears!"

Well done, Michel - and thanks for allowing me to share your photos with the rest of the SITE O Membership. (I know they will love them!) Best wishes for the remainder of your trip - and I do hope you eventually decide to set up a permanent Web Site. (These photos certainly deserve one!)

14/01/2008: A new Web Site has recently been launched by the Stony Batter Protection and Restoration Society (Inc.) - as a replacement for the one that was terminated in October 2006. the URL is: http://www.fortstonybatter.org.nz/index.html

At the moment, - only the Home Page is operational, with the rest of the Site still under construction. What is there so far certainly looks promising - and I am sure that when the rest of the pages are uploaded, it will be a Site that will equal or surpass the one it replaces. Well worth bookmaking - and following its progress. A very pleasing development, as this "Auckland icon" is certainly deserving of quality Internet coverage!

25/11/2007: Finally, at SITE O "Down Under" - we have brought on-line our last "under construction" Web Page. That page is, - the Regional Photo Album:

The photos are published via the "Flickr" Web Site, and to "kick it off" - we have published a series of photos, shot by the Webmaster, - of Fort Ballance, Wellington , New Zealand.

In the future, - it is hoped that other Members will contribute their own Albums of photographs - to make this aspect of the Site truly visually interesting!

29/10/2006: Following two recent serious "hacker attacks" on SITE O Web Sites, elsewhere in the World, it has been necessary to review our local security. The attacks concerned resulted in major damage to the Web Sites involved:

A real weakness was identified in the sign-up procedures for our "Online Regional Forum". Basically, the system has had to be altered to one whereby each new registration requires administrator approval - prior to the applicant being able to publish to the Site.

With hindsight, this probably seems an incredibly basic mistake - but it was simply the result of an oversight in "ticking the wrong box" when the Regional Forum was set up. Still, - it could have had dire consequences!

Unfortunately, fixing this loophole will cause some delay in access for Members who apply to join, - but hopefully there will be an understanding of the need to eliminate it. The new process may mean it takes a couple of days, rather that a couple of minutes - for you to "get online". While this delay is regretted, there is probably no safe and realistic alternative to it.

If you do experience unreasonable registration delays, or other problems with the Regional Forum, - please e-mail me at: ajscadden@paradise.net.nz . I will do my best to remedy matters.

Web Site for Fort Stony Batter, Waiheke Island, Auckland, (N.Z.) Terminated:

09/10/2006: The Stony Batter Protection and Restoration Society has unfortunately terminated its Web Site (At least for the foreseeable future):

It is hoped that a new Web Site will be produced soon. Stony Batter is one of New Zealand's most significant Fortifications, and is a major tourist attraction. It is certainly deserving of quality Internet coverage. Until this happens, intending visitors should probably check out the N.Z. Department of Conservation Web Site: http://www.doc.govt.nz/index.html for details about access and other information.

Major Restoration Job Completed at Wrights Hill Fortress, Karori, Wellington, (N.Z.):

19/08/2006: The Wrights Hill Fortress Restoration Society (Inc.) has just completed a major project, - to replace all the previously missing wooden doors throughout the Fortress:

Finding a joinery company that could cope with reproducing the 1940's patterns, - to the standards required under the Conservation Plan, - was no easy task. Many companies simply "didn't want to know about it".

The Petone (Wellington) firm of Well Hung Joinery Ltd. was eventually contracted to make (and hang) the doors. Warwick Meyer and his team (including Jimmy the Builder, - and Alex, - his mate) produced stunning results.

The doors they have provided are faithful reproductions of the originals, - and are of superb quality. Made from American Cedar, they should last several human life times, in the harsh Fortress environment, - when properly primed and painted.

Those who are familiar with the Fortress will notice a significant advance on the road to restoration. If you are in Wellington on Labour Day (Mon. 23rd Oct. 2006) - do come up to the Public Open Day, - and have a look.

30/05/2006: The following is a message received from SITE O International, regarding the relentless demolition of these historically important Fortifications by the German Government:

If you would like to record your wishes for the retention of what remains, (It is now only a fraction of what was originally constructed) - please respond by the 16th June 2006. (Not a lot of time - I know). Although it is not a local issue, - I am sure many Members of SITE O "Down Under" will want to make their feelings known.

Public Open Day at Fort Ballance, Wellington, (N.Z.): Sunday 19th February 2006 - 10:00am to 4:00pm

10/12/2005: Further to the item of 30/11/2005 below, I can now confirm that a Public Open Day at Fort Ballance will be held on Sunday 19th February 2006 - between 10.00am and 4.00pm.

This will be a wonderful opportunity for the Public and Enthusiasts alike to visit this most important site.

Please note that admission is free, - and that access to the Fort will be via Fort Ballance Road. (NOT the "old track" from Scorching Bay, - please.)

Fort Ballance Road is easily located, - to the left of the Fisheries Research Facility in Mahanga Bay.

You will not be able to drive up it to the Fort. You will need to park at the bottom (or around the Bays) - and walk up.

This is another "one off" event, - that is not going to be repeated any time soon. Don't miss it!

It is hoped that this will generate much interest in the conservation and restoration of the Fort.

30/11/2005: SITE O Member Peter Cooke organised a major clean up operation at Fort Ballance on Sunday 27th November 2005:

People from many organisations, - including the NZ Historic Places Trust, the Wrights Hill Fortress Restoration Society Inc; SITE O "Down Under" - and other interested parties - turned up to help.

The Fort has become very overgrown in the past 18 months (since the Army demolished the last house) - and the vandals and taggers have been "hard at work". Sadly, much of the historic signage in the Gun Pits has now been obliterated. The few remaining wooden doors on the Fort are also now gone.

Much scrub and bush was removed in the course of the day, and trees that were encroaching on (and damaging) the walls of the Fort were cut down. The result is a distinct and very pleasing improvement. A great effort by all.

Peter is planning to hold a Public "Open Day" at the Fort - sometime in the New Year, and he may be organising another working bee prior to this. Dates and times are yet to be confirmed - but I will keep you advised.

This is just a small "starting step" on what will be a very major project. Many details concerning the ownership and management of this most important site still have to be worked out.

At SITE O, we sincerely hope that Central and Local Government, - and the other Conservation Agencies will come together to assist in the preservation and restoration of this local "treasure".

Hopefully, there will also be considerable interest from the local community in the conservation of the Fort.

(Please note: Fort Ballance is still a restricted site. You need to obtain permission from the New Zealand Defence Force to visit it. It is also a dangerous site: In certain places, there are hidden sink holes, shafts - and other hazards to watch out for).

08/11/2005: Another couple of important changes have been made to the Site from today:

Firstly, the old "Regional Forum " has been re-designated as the "Regional Notice Board".

Secondly, - A new Online Message Board and Forums have been added - called the "Regional Forum". This is an externally hosted service - and Members will need to follow the link to it, and follow the enrolment procedures on it - in order to use it.

It is hoped that these changes will further enhance your use and enjoyment of the Site. If you have any problems, please contact me at: ajscadden@paradise.net.nz

18/10/2005: A couple of important updates to this Site have been made today:

Firstly, on the Homepage, the links to obsolete pages on our International Web Site have been removed and replaced by a single external link to the current version of the Site.

Secondly, all external links on the Site now open in "new windows" - (rather than within the "page frame" - as before). It is hoped that this change in particular will greatly enhance the ease of use and enjoyment of the Site by all.

An issue has also arisen with the International Membership Listing on www.siteo.net (Our International Web Site). Basically, this listing is obsolete - and highly inaccurate. It should be ignored - and, hopefully - it will soon be deleted.

Our International Membership Records are now located on the SITE O Canada Regional Pages: www.siteocanada.org, and they are maintained by Jon G Malek, (the Canadian Regional Director and Webmaster). My apologies for any past confusion that this may have caused to Members.

Rare Open Day for the Garden's Battery, Wellington (N.Z.) Sunday 26th June 2005 10.00am to 5.00pm:

30/05/2005: The Dominion Post announced today that this usually "impossible to get into" site will be open to the public on the above date:

The opening is part of a Government initiative to mark "The Year of the Built Environment".

This is a great opportunity to visit this most important site, - and one that is unlikely to be repeated any time soon!

The Battery is located at the top of the Cable Car, next to the old Dominion Observatory (which can also be inspected at the same time). This is without doubt the most intact RML Gun Emplacement in New Zealand. The Gun Pit itself has been filled in, but its outline is still clearly visible. It now has the ex-Newtown Krupp Gun sitting on top of it. Most of the associated works are in very good condition. Well worth a look!

30/03/2005: Peter Cooke, - SITE O Member and Deputy Chairman of the Wellington Historic Places Trust, has recently raised the issue of the future of the old Army building, situated on the corner of Taranaki and Buckle Streets in Wellington, New Zealand:

The building is currently in a very poor state of repair, - and faces the prospect of imminent demolition.

This is certainly a building with immense historic value to Wellington, and its importance ranks with that of the much loved Police Station at the other end of Buckle Street. (Historically, - if not architecturally). My Grandad signed up for his first day in the Army there, in 1917, - and so did many others "Granddad's" - before and since.

Peter has developed a concept of re-incarnating this building as a Military History Centre, which sounds great. The problem is that the "powers that be" seem to be decidedly indifferent to the proposal.

If you would like to lend your support to the preservation of this important historic building, and the idea of its rescue and re-use, - drop Peter an e-mail at: petercooke@paradise.net.nz

30/03/2005: SITE O Member Peter Cooke has recently published a great new brochure on Military Heritage in the Wellington Region (N.Z.):

It contains 12 folds of information on the subject (including the covers) - and is an "absolute must" for any enthusiast visiting Wellington and wanting to check out it's Military sites.

The brochure has been published in association with the New Zealand Historic Places Trust and the Department of Conservation. Copies can be obtained from the Information Desk of the Wellington City Council Offices, - or if this is not practicable, you can e-mail Peter at: petercooke@paradise.net.nz for details of his address and availability. (If you send him a stamped self-addressed envelope, - he may be able to send you a copy).

The amount of information Peter has managed to put into this brochure is outstanding, - and travellers will find it an awful lot easier to cart around than both volumes of "Defending New Zealand - Ramparts on the Sea". A really welcome addition to Wellington's published Military history.

[A hint to all concerned: "I'd like to see more of this type of brochure around the Country"].

29/11/2004: Well, - it's that time of the Year again, and I'd really like to thank all our Members, visitors and friends for their support over the past 12 months:

Development of the Site has been a bit slower than expected, - but hopefully the pace will pick up next year.

It has been particularly pleasing to see the developments that have taken place on the preservation and restoration fronts this year. The general awareness of Military History in the Region just seems to be getting stronger.

It has been great to see the labours of so many willing volunteers coming to fruition. Keep up the good work!

Actually, talking of preservation and restoration, I've received a couple of requests lately for items that Santa was none too impressed with.

Apparently, requests for guns at Christmas are no longer PC, - and the reindeer are threatening to go on strike if they're forced to deliver them!

Bob is Fort Historian for Fort Queenscliff in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. He has a deep interest in all aspects of Fortification and Artillery, and he has a particular interest in the American Civil War.

We are delighted to have you with us Bob, and really hope you enjoy your Membership of SITE O.

29/11/2004: The folks at Fort Stony Batter, Waiheke Island, New Zealand (Stony Batter Protection and Restoration Society Inc.), now have a new Web Site. The address is: http://www.stonybatter.org/

This is a great Web Site, and it really does justice to this most important Fortification. Lots of interesting pictures and diagrams, and plenty of information. Congratulations to all concerned.

Update on Historic Places Trust Registration for Wrights Hill Fortress, Fort Buckley and Kau Point Battery (Wellington, N.Z.):

11/08/2004: Great news! - On 28 June 2004 I received a letter from the Historic Places Trust confirming that they have approved "Category 1" status for all of the above sites!

I'm sure ALL Members of SITE O will be very pleased to hear this, and I would like to convey our sincere thanks to those concerned.

Let's just hope that some of the other sites that we suggested will also be considered for future Trust protection.

11/08/2004: On Monday 2nd August 2004, the Institute of Professional Engineers of New Zealand paid a visit to Wrights Hill Fortress in Karori, Wellington, (N.Z.):

The tour was organised as part of their local conference, and all present seemed to enjoy themselves very much.

Despite my earlier trepidation, they turned out to be (thankfully) very merciful to a tour guide who's "long on history, - but short on engineering detail".

Peter Cooke hosted a further tour later on in the week for those IPENZ Members who were unable to take the tour on the Monday.

It was great to meet Rod Caldwell, (Grants Officer for the Fort Scratchley Historical Society Inc; Newcastle, NSW, Australia) - during the Monday tour.

Rod, I hope you will consider joining SITE O in the future, and affiliating the Fort Scratchley Historical Society Inc. to us. I'm sorry we didn't have more time to talk!

Nick is from Australia, and we hope he enjoys his Membership of SITE O. Great to have you "on board", Nick!

11/08/2004: A very warm "Down Under" greeting to Jon Malek and Lee Unterborn:

Jon has just established the "Canadian Regional Web Site", and Lee is also in the process of producing the "U.S.A Regional Web Site" - which will hopefully be "up and running" in the New Year!

11/08//2004: We have unfortunately been unable to track down the four missing Members identified in the Forum Page in June 2004. They have been deleted from the Regional Membership Records accordingly:

It is important that our records remain accurate and up to date, and that we at all times have a valid e-mail address for each and every Member!

We have to be mindful of Privacy Act issues concerning the continued publication of personal details where it:

Should a Member die, for example; we very possibly wouldn't be informed of it. (We certainly hope this isn't the case with any of these people!)

At the end of the day however, all's not lost. It only takes an e-mail to me to re-instate your Membership!

26/05/2004: Philip Moore has just sent me a photo of the Clubs latest Range Shoot held on 22-23 May 2004. To see this, please see the Clubs Web Site at: http://www.nzrifle.com/cf_waikiti.htm

Waikiti Downs is located in the South Island of New Zealand, on the West Coast; (A couple of miles North of Lake Brunner - and "to the right").

This is a great Range, that caters for Pistols, Rifles, - and Black Powder. New Members and visitors are most welcome. WELL worth a look! All you "shooters" out there, - take note!

Historic Places Trust Registration for Wrights Hill Fortress, Fort Buckley and Kau Point Battery (Wellington, N.Z.):

18/05/2004: The NZ Historic Places Trust has recently advertised its intention to register the above sites under the (Historic Places) Act:

Wrights Hill is to receive a "Category 1" listing, and Fort Buckley and Kau Point are to receive "Category 2" listings respectively.

In terms of the Act, - SITE O has no statutory right to make a submission, - but in view of the importance of these sites to our Members, I have gone ahead and made a "short and succinct" one anyway.

On Friday the 30th, we got together for a few pints, and had a very enjoyable (and large) dinner at Wellington's legendary "Green Parrot" restaurant.

Apparently, the 1920's grill, - that is still in use today, - was cast from scrap" Gun Metal".

"Armstrong Burgers", anybody? - (Just kidding). Whatever its origins, - the thing definitely still works!

Suitably "fortified", - we set out for Wrights Hill Fortress on the Saturday morning. The day started out fine, - but by the time we emerged from the tunnels, (after about 3 hours!), - the weather had turned to custard. We had intended to visit Fort Opau and Fort Buckley, - but in view of the conditions we gave them a miss. We settled for visiting the Brooklyn Heavy AA Battery instead, and doing a "road tour" of Wellington's other remaining sites. Thanks to Mike Lee for his assistance in getting us through Wrights Hill.

On Sunday morning, we met up with Colin Barnden, Ian Tavendale and their families from the New Zealand Defence Force, - for a most enjoyable and informative visit to Fort Ballance. (I didn't know there was a "well" in the bottom of the 6" Magazine, - apparently used to provide water for the hydraulic operation of the ammunition hoists!). Peter Cooke gave us an excellent historical background to this most important site, - for which all present were most appreciative.

John and I would both sincerely like to thank Colin, Ian and the New Zealand Defence Force for making this visit possible. It was a great day.

John left us that afternoon, - to continue his travels up the East Coast. We wish him well for the remainder of his journey. I look forward to meeting up with him again, - in England: "some, (hopefully), sunny day"! John, it was a real pleasure meeting you here in New Zealand!

01/04/2004: I have just received an urgent appeal from Joe Kaufmann, - (Founder of SITE O, and - our International Director):

Joe has suffered a major hard drive failure on his computer, - and as a result, many of his e-mail contacts have been lost.

This means that many Members of SITE O may not receive their regular newsletters from Joe.

Joe urgently needs all SITE O Members, (regardless of Region), - to contact him, and re-confirm their contact details.

Unfortunately, if you don't do so, - then you may be "left in the dark" - in respect of what's happening.

For Members of SITE O "Down Under", - could I please ask that you forward a copy of your e-mail to me: ajscadden@paradise.net.nz This will be a great help in keeping our Regional database up to date, and in correcting existing errors. There are certainly a few of these!

Note: Joe's above address is relatively new, - and may differ from what you currently have in your Address Book.