www.ns.legion.ca 25 Centrepiece of the Halifax Defence Complex The Halifax Citadel and its predecessors were the focal point of the British military's "Halifax Defence Complex" which included (at various years): • Fort Needham • HMC Dockyard • Fort Massey • Fort Ogilvie • Prince of Wales Martello Tower • Connaught Battery • York Redoubt • Practice Battery • Sandwich Point • Camperdown • Fort Chebucto • Fort Charlotte on George's Island • Fort Clarence • Devil's Battery / Hartlen Point • Five forts on McNabs Island: o Fort Ives o Fort Hugonin o Sherbrooke Tower o Strawberry Hill o Fort McNab The Halifax Citadel was constructed to defend against smoothbore weaponry; it became obsolete following the introduction of more powerful rifled guns in the 1860s. British forces upgraded Fort George's armaments to permit it to defend the harbour as well as land approaches, using heavier and more accurate long-range artillery. The Citadel's two large ammunition magazines also served as the central explosive store for Halifax defences, making Citadel Hill, according to the historian and novelist Thomas Head Raddall, "like Vesuvius over Pompeii, a smiling monster with havoc in its belly". By the end of the 19th century, the role of the Citadel in the defence of Halifax Harbour evolved to become a command centre for other, more distant harbour defensive works, as well as providing barrack accommodations. 78th (Highlanders) Regiment of Foot The renowned 78th (Highlanders) Regiment of Foot were stationed at Halifax for almost three years (1869-1871). The regiment arrived in Halifax on the afternoon of May 14 aboard the troopship HMS Crocodile. A total of 765 men disembarked in full dress uniform. The Regiment was divided into two depots and eight service companies, consisting in all of 34 officers, 49 sergeants, 21 drummers, 6 pipers, and 600 rank and file. For two years, the regiment spent its time billeted at the Halifax Citadel and at Wellington Barracks. The latter is now known as Stadacona and is part of Canadian Forces Base Halifax. Each summer, men from the regiment camped at Bedford to practice musketry at the military range. Citadel Hill (Fort George) continued....
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