A British bastion already existed on this site in the 1730s and was enlarged in 1773 giving it a pentagonal shape.

As part of this he had the Montagu and the Orange Bastions extended and in addition he arranged for counterguards to be constructed in front of them in the Gibraltar Harbour.

Another layer of protection was added when Montagu Counterguard was also given a breakwater that would deter amphibious assaults.

During World War II the bastion was equipped with two QF 3.7 inch AA guns.

[6] Remains of the three Gibraltar Shields which were used to protect the three RML 10 inch 18 ton guns are still in place today.