An observation post (commonly abbreviated OP ), temporary or fixed, is a position from which soldiers can watch enemy movements, to warn of approaching soldiers (such as in trench warfare ), or to direct fire. In strict military terminology, an observation post is any preselected position from which observations are to be made - this may include very temporary installations such as a vehicle parked as a roadside checkpoint, or even an airborne aircraft.
5-598: The MacIntosh Forts are a group of seven observation posts built in Hong Kong between 1949 and 1953 at the border with China , to safeguard the border against illegal immigrants , when there was an influx of refugees from China due to political instability. The Forts were named after Hong Kong Police Commissioner Duncan Macintosh (in office, 1946-1953) who decided to build a chain of observation posts guarded day and night. They have been listed as Grade II historic buildings since 1997. The MacIntosh Forts were built along
10-509: A (temporary) observation post, trained troops are to avoid obvious and conspicuous locations such as hilltops, water towers or other isolated terrain features, and to ensure that the observation post can be reached via a concealed route. This is especially important as the observer in the post should be rotated every 20–30 minutes, as vigilance decreases markedly after such a time. Observation posts should be garrisoned with at least two personnel (more, for defense and observer rotation, if
15-514: A view across the border, they were dubbed the Macintosh Cathedrals because of their distinctive appearance and outline against the skyline. Six out of the seven Forts are now remotely controlled. They are not open to public. The seven observation posts are located in a chain, covering most parts of the land frontier. They are from east to west: Other photos of the forts Download coordinates as: Observation post When selecting
20-578: The Sham Chun River when an influx of Chinese refugees was followed by border incidents of armed clashes between the police and refugees. Amongst the refugees were the defeated remnants of the Kuomintang Nationalist armies and also a "fair number of common criminals". The Forts were built in reinforced concrete of the same style and of very similar design, which may be categorised as Modern Utilitarian . Built on hilltops at strategic spots, with
25-417: The post is to be retained for longer durations), and should be provided a means of communication with their chain of command , preferably by phone instead of by radio. Often being positioned in secret very close to the enemy, an observation post is usually a small construct, often consisting largely of camouflage materials and possibly weather cover. However, where frontlines are expected to be stable for
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