広島湾要塞演習砲台跡は、比治山公園内にある通称「ロケット広場」から「謎の鎖場」が設置された芝生広場に通じる一帯に存在したと推測されている訓練施設の遺構です。
The remains of the Hiroshima Bay Fortress Practice Battery are presumed to have existed in the area leading from the place commonly known as "Rocket Square" inside Hijiyama Park, to the grassy area featuring a mysterious chain-climbing path. This area is believed to be the site of a training facility.
広島湾要塞（呉要塞）は、軍都広島や呉鎮守府への敵艦侵入を防ぐため、明治時代に築かれた沿岸要塞群です。比治山の演習砲台は、砲兵が内陸で射撃訓練を行うための場所として設けられたとされています。
The Hiroshima Bay Fortress (also known as the Kure Fortress) was a group of coastal fortifications constructed during the Meiji period to prevent enemy ships from intruding into the military city of Hiroshima and the Kure Naval District. The practice battery on Hijiyama is thought to have been established as a site for fortress artillery personnel to conduct live-fire training inland.
現在「これだ！」と断定できるような明確な遺構は残されていません。しかし現地を歩くと、「階段状の平坦地」「独特な形状の法面」など、当時の構造物に由来する特徴的な地形が随所に見て取れます。
Currently, there are no clear, definitive remains that one could point to and say, "This is it!" However, when walking the site, you can observe distinctive topographical features derived from the structures of the time, such as terraced flat areas and distinctively shaped slopes.
現地には、砲台跡を示す案内板は一切設置されておらず、一般利用者にとっては、単なる平地と法面に過ぎないでしょう。しかし歴史や遺構に関心のある方には、この暗示的な風景がどのように映るでしょうか。
No guide signs are installed at the site to indicate the battery remains, and for general park visitors, it would likely appear to be nothing more than a plain field and a slope. However, how might this suggestive landscape appear to those with an interest in history and historical remnants?
比治山演習砲台には、当時28cm榴弾砲と、24cm加農砲が1門ずつ配備されていたという記録が残っています。砲兵たちがここで装填、照準、射撃の訓練をしていた様子を思い浮かべてみたり、平らな広場を「砲座・作業スペース」に見立てたり、謎の鎖場に挑戦してながら、コンクリートで覆われた法面の形から「当時の築造」を想像してみたり…。「答え合わせのできないクイズ」として妄想を膨らませると、より楽しめるかもしれません。
Records indicate that the Hijiyama Practice Battery was once equipped with one 28cm Howitzer and one 24cm Canet Gun (Kanon). One can imagine the artillerymen training here in loading, aiming, and firing. You might visualize the flat open space as a "gun emplacement and work area," or try to imagine the "original construction" based on the shape of the concrete-covered slopes while attempting the mysterious chain-climbing path... You might find it more enjoyable to let your imagination run wild, treating it as a "quiz for which there is no answer."
そしてこの比治山演習砲台のすぐ直下に麓に通じる車道がついていますが、とんでもない「激坂」です。離合が難しく、スリップの危険も伴うため、往来には気合いが必要です。戦時中、麓に陸軍の司令部があったとの記録も残っていることから、当初この坂道は比治山演習砲台に向かう軍事目的で整備された可能性も考えられますね！
And directly below the Hijiyama Practice Battery, there is a tremendously steep slope leading down to the foot of the hill, which is the vehicle road. It requires considerable caution and skill to navigate due to the difficulty of passing other vehicles and the risk of slipping. Since there are also records indicating that the Army headquarters was located at the foot of the hill during the war, it is possible that this slope was originally developed for military purposes, specifically for access to the Hijiyama Practice Battery!