Battery Harris East, located in New York, NY, was named after Henry Leavenworth Harris and was the largest and most impressive gun battery in Fort Tilden. Equipped with two Model M1919MII 16-inch guns, Battery Harris, along with its counterpart Battery Lewis in New Jersey, provided a formidable defense along the shores of Eastern Long Island and Northern New Jersey, making it one of the most powerful fortifications in the world.
Constructed in 1922, the 16-inch guns at Battery Harris were initially mounted in open Panama mounts, allowing for a full 360-degree rotation and an elevation of up to 69 degrees. However, during World War II, the guns were casemated, limiting their azimuth travel and elevation. With the addition of fire control towers, spotting stations, and radar installations, Battery Harris became an integral part of the Harbor Defenses of Southern New York, ensuring the detection and engagement of targets even in poor visibility conditions.
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