Battery AMTB - Cortez

 (1943-1946) - Battery AMTB - Cortez was a World War II, rapid fire, 90mm gun battery on Coronado Beach Military Reservation, San Diego County, California. Battery construction started 29 Jun 1943, was completed 26 Aug 1943 and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 14 Dec 1943. Deactivated in 1946.

World War II
The AMTB battery at Coronado Beach Military Reservation consisted of two 90mm guns mounted on 90mm M3 fixed gun mounts and two 90mm guns mounted on 90mm M1A1 mobile gun mounts. Concrete pads were provided for both fixed guns and wooden gun platforms were provided for the mobile guns. The mobile guns were not normally emplaced. Two earth covered concrete magazines provided protection for the ammunition. Electricity was provided by commercial power and by M-7 portable generators as a backup.

The battery had a dual mission of defense against fast enemy motor torpedo boats and enemy aircraft. The effective range of the guns was about 8,000 yards or 4.5 miles. Each weapon required a crew of 15, 9 men in the gun squad and 6 men in the ammunition squad.



Current Status
On Coronado Beach Military Reservation, San Diego County, California. Battery destroyed, no period gun or mounts in place.

See Also:
 * Coronado Beach Military Reservation
 * Harbor Defense of San Diego

Sources:


 * , pages 80-81, 217.
 * Report of Rounds Fired from Seacoast Artillery Guns, HD Commander, 17 Jan 1946, NARA RG165, E257 Box 68 - Bolling Smith.

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