SULLIVAN'S ISLAND, South Carolina, United States — The HECP (Harbor Entrance Control Post) Room at Fort Moultrie, which served as the command center for monitoring and controlling ship traffic in Charleston harbor during World War II. This office was crucial for coordinating immediate responses to potential enemy threats within the defense sector.
Photograph by David Coleman. The HECP (Harbor Entrance Control Post) Room at Fort Moultrie on Sullivan's Island, South Carolina, represents a critical component of the United States' coastal defense system during World War II. Fort Moultrie, part of the larger Fort Sumter National Monument, has a long history dating back to the American Revolution, but its role during World War II as part of the Harbor Entrance Control Post-Harbor Defense Command Post (HECP-HDCP) system was particularly significant. The HECP Room served as the nerve center for monitoring and controlling all ship traffic entering and leaving Charleston harbor. The officer in charge, assisted by a senior noncommissioned officer, commanded a staff of forty personnel. Their primary responsibility was to maintain constant vigilance against potential enemy threats, particularly the danger of German U-boats that prowled the Atlantic coast during the early years of America's involvement in World War II. This command post was equipped with the latest communication and surveillance technology of the time, allowing for real-time monitoring of harbor activities. The staff would have used tools such as radar, sonar, and signal lamps to track and identify vessels. They also coordinated with other military installations, including nearby Fort Sumter and various gun batteries positioned around the harbor. The HECP-HDCP system was a joint Army-Navy operation, reflecting the integrated approach to coastal defense during World War II. While the Army's Coast Artillery Corps manned the coastal gun batteries, the Navy provided ships and aircraft for patrol and defense. This collaboration was crucial for effective harbor defense and represented a significant evolution in US military strategy. Today, the preserved HECP Room at Fort Moultrie serves as a tangible link to this period of American history. It offers visitors a glimpse into the tense atmosphere of wartime coastal defense and the technological and organizational
Size: 5504px × 8256px
Location: Fort Moultrie, Sullivans Island, South Carolina, United States
Photo credit: © David Coleman | Have Camera Will Travel / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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