Howitzer - Inverell, NSW, Australia
S 29° 46.850 E 151° 07.412
56J E 318605 N 6704024
This piece of Axis Field Artillery from WW1, is at the Cartwright VC Reserve, just out of Inverell.
Waymark Code: WMZP5K
Location: New South Wales, Australia
Date Posted: 12/12/2018
Views: 1
In 'The George Cartwright VC Reserve', south of the Gwydir Highway, is a curved War Memorial wall, with several plaques. One of which is for the captured Howitzer, that is on display in on front of it. It reads:
The 105mm GERMAN HOWITZER
The 105mm German Howitzer located immediately behind you was one of thousands produced in
the closing year of the Great War. As a piece of field artillery, it was used to soften targets
prior to assault. It could also be used as a defensive weapon, to repel attacks.
But the gun that stands in this park is more than that.
In August 1918, troops of the Australian 33rd Battalion, which included members of the original
Kurrajongs, engaged the Germans at Bois D'Accroche on the Western Front. The fighting was
ferocious and British forces on the left flank were brought to a standstill by tenacious German forces
within the woods. The Australians moved left and were able to capture the guns, one of which is the
howitzer in this park.
I take it that the wheels are the original design, which has an usual 'spoke system', having only three, one of which is perpendicular, while the other two are curved, and go to the same side of the rim, as the straight one. Strange - to me! The Howitzer is painted a light-grey, but there is some rust coming through. It is placed on a rectangular mulch base, within a concrete surround.
Access: It is available 24/7, for free, and there is gravel/dirt area to park on, off of the Highway.
Visited: 1803-5, Thursday, 21 December, 2017