A large crowd examines Battery Erwin, a large railway mounted gun, on display at Fort MacArthur in San Pedro. Battery Erwin included the longest ranging artillery pieces at Fort MacArthur prior to World War Two and were designed to shoot a 1,450 pound shell up to 27 miles. The railway mounted guns could turn 360 degrees and fire in any direction. The advantage of the track mount limited the guns to a 7 degree traverse, which prevented the recoil force from exerting too much pressure on the tracks, possibly leaving the guns stranded. Both of Battery Erwin's guns remained active throughout WWII, but were declared surplus at the war's end and cut up for scrap. Fort MacArthur was formally created on October 31, 1914, named in honor of Lt. Gen. Arthur MacArthur, father of Douglas MacArthur. It was a training center during World War I, and the first large gun batteries for harbor defense were installed in 1917.
United States.--Army Artillery--California--Los Angeles Railway artillery--California--Los Angeles Military training camps--California--Los Angeles Military bases--California--Los Angeles Fort MacArthur (Calif.) San Pedro (Los Angeles, Calif.)
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