Together with the 1^st Europa Advance Battery, the 2^nd and 3^rd Batteries protected the cliff edge overlooking Gibraltar’s south-eastern coastline. The term ‘Advance Batteries’ refers to the fact that they were located on the frontline and were part of the first line of defence on this side of the Rock.

These three batteries were built in the eighteenth century. Although their construction date is uncertain, they are already mentioned in records from 1720. The 2^nd Battery is directly to the south of the 1^st Battery while the 3^rd Battery is located about 115 metres further north on the cliff edge. The 4^th Battery, which was built in the first half of the nineteenth century is located sited near Monkey's Cave, now the entrance to REME Chambers. It is not accessible as it is situated on military land, hence the reason it is not listed.

In 1771, 2^nd Battery mounted a single 3-pounder, although the battery boasted of two embrasures. By 1781, this had been upgraded to one 18-pounder, two 12-pounders and one 3-pounder that indicates the battery had been expanded during the 14^th Siege.

2nd Europa Advance Battery, circa 1860's.

By 1834, however, the number of guns had again been reduced to just two 18-pounders. In 1859, these were replaced with two 32-pounders. By 1885, the 2^nd Battery was empty.

The 3^rd Battery originally mounted a single 4-pounder, to which two 12-pounders were added in 1781 during the Great Siege.

In 1834, the battery consisted of two 18-pounders, the same as all other guns Europa Advance Batteries.

In 1859, the 18-pounders of all the Advance Batteries were replaced with 32-pounders, two of which were mounted on the 3^rd Battery. In 1885, it had two 32-pounder 56 cwt. These guns were removed in 1889.

1860's - J. H. Mann - G. W. Wilson - Europa Advance Battery.

1860's - J. H. Mann - G. W. Wilson - Europa Advance Battery.

Europa Advance, Gibraltar 1879 from an album compiled by the Reverend J. N. Dalton and presented to King George V.

In 1906, it was planned to mount two 4-inch QF guns in one of the batteries but no action was taken.

However, in 1940, at the start of WWII a 6-pounder 6 cwt Hotchkiss gun was deployed at the 2^nd Europa Advance Battery. It was replaced two months later by two 4-inch BL Mark IX guns on CP Mark I mountings, one being installed in the 1^st Battery and another one the other side of Europa Advance Road. These guns had a seawards role and formed part of Fire Command Rooke which was the close defence Fire Command. Range finding was by Depression Range Finder and eventually there were two DEL's, one at Sandy Cave and one at Halfway Battery.

In 1942, a 40-mm Bofors Mark IV gun was mounted about 200 yards north of the 3^rd Europa Advance Battery. Two Z projectors were also installed in 1942. They were named Freddie and Charlie.

The lower 4-inch gun was removed and returned to the Navy in August 1944 and the two

Z Projectors on the site were taken out of action. The rest of the equipment was removed at the end of the war.

Location of 2nd Europa Advance Battery today. The site of the 1st Europa Advance Battery is clearly seen in the background.

3rd Europa Advance Battery, now premises for the Gibraltar Clay Target Shooting Association.

Today, the 1^st and 2nd Advance Batteries are part of the Interpretation Centre for the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Gorham’s Cave. The 3^rd Battery now houses the Clay Target Shooting Association.