THE Lithgow Living History re-enactment group as a contribution to Heritage Month is to stage a display of the anti aircraft guns at the South Bowenfels heritage site.
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The display will show what they defended, how they worked, how they were aimed and their part in the defence of Australia.
The Lithgow anti aircraft gun stations and dummy station have state significance as the only known inland heavy anti aircraft gun stations of their type in NSW.
The emplacements at Bowenfels and the Scenic Hill were built in World War Two for guns to defend from high level air attack on the important network of defence sites established at Lithgow.
The mining, manufacturing and transport industries and the Lithgow Small Arms Factory were crucial to the war effort.
Spokesman Ian Rufus said the construction of these defence facilities together with those at the Small Arms Factory represents a changing national defence policy in response to the entry of Japan into World War Two, and an increased perception of the vulnerability of inland areas brought about by improvements in aircraft technology.
This is further demonstrated by the construction of the dummy batteries to ensure local defence facilities were not easily targeted during an enemy attack.
Fresh from Ironfest, Lithgow Living History will be demonstrating how the guns were to defend Lithgow, answering questions and debunking myths.
“We will also show how the guns were defended from ground attack in case of invasion of the area,” Mr Rufus said.
Blank firing of Australian military rifles and guns will be demonstrated.
Access is down Kirkley Street and follow the arrows.
