Our Gun
by Geoff Lawson
Our Gun is the story of how a field gun built by the German company Krupp for the South African Orange Free State ended up in Wanganui.
Towards the end of the nineteenth century, Southern Africa included the Cape Colony, Orange Free State and Transvaal. Cape Colony was part of the British Empire while the other two regions were settled by Dutch farmers, referred to as Boers. There was already confrontation between Dutch farmers and the British, which escalated after a huge seam of gold was discovered in the Transvaal, which was subsequently invaded by British nationals. This eventually led to the South African war.
The Krupp gun belonged to the Orange Free State Artillery Corps. It suited the local conditions, being relatively simple to maintain, and munitions were readily available. The Boer republic was surrounded by territory under British control and Cecil Rhodes, an English mining magnate, had ambitions to extend their control into Boer territory. He organized a raid, intending to annex all land in South Africa. The raid was unsuccessful. The Dutch farmers’ familiarity with the country gave them the advantage but given time, the British were able to call in reinforcements from their Empire. These included troops from Australia, Canada and New Zealand, with the New Zealanders being first to land in South Africa. Although the British Empire won the war, it came at a terrible price with over 22,000 dead and 23,000 injured. The Dutch Africans lost 12,000 men.
The author became aware of Krupp Number Four at the Wanganui Regional Museum, one of eight similar guns used during the South African War. Number Four was captured by New Zealand soldiers and became a war trophy to commemorate the country’s contribution. In later years it had been neglected and was in poor condition. With the museum’s permission, Geoff Lawson formed a restoration team. The gun was restored to its original state with great care and detailed records of the work were kept. His acquired knowledge of the gun’s past motivated him to research and write about the Boer war.
Our Gun provides a very readable overview of the South African war and the people involved on both sides. The book’s A4 format is ideal for clear maps, diagrams, sketches and photographs which include individuals involved on both sides of the war. The story of the Krupp gun restoration follows, providing much detail about the gun itself.
Our Gun is an interesting and valuable addition to the field of war history literature, especially for New Zealand genealogists.
by Geoff Lawson
Our Gun is the story of how a field gun built by the German company Krupp for the South African Orange Free State ended up in Wanganui.
Towards the end of the nineteenth century, Southern Africa included the Cape Colony, Orange Free State and Transvaal. Cape Colony was part of the British Empire while the other two regions were settled by Dutch farmers, referred to as Boers. There was already confrontation between Dutch farmers and the British, which escalated after a huge seam of gold was discovered in the Transvaal, which was subsequently invaded by British nationals. This eventually led to the South African war.
The Krupp gun belonged to the Orange Free State Artillery Corps. It suited the local conditions, being relatively simple to maintain, and munitions were readily available. The Boer republic was surrounded by territory under British control and Cecil Rhodes, an English mining magnate, had ambitions to extend their control into Boer territory. He organized a raid, intending to annex all land in South Africa. The raid was unsuccessful. The Dutch farmers’ familiarity with the country gave them the advantage but given time, the British were able to call in reinforcements from their Empire. These included troops from Australia, Canada and New Zealand, with the New Zealanders being first to land in South Africa. Although the British Empire won the war, it came at a terrible price with over 22,000 dead and 23,000 injured. The Dutch Africans lost 12,000 men.
The author became aware of Krupp Number Four at the Wanganui Regional Museum, one of eight similar guns used during the South African War. Number Four was captured by New Zealand soldiers and became a war trophy to commemorate the country’s contribution. In later years it had been neglected and was in poor condition. With the museum’s permission, Geoff Lawson formed a restoration team. The gun was restored to its original state with great care and detailed records of the work were kept. His acquired knowledge of the gun’s past motivated him to research and write about the Boer war.
Our Gun provides a very readable overview of the South African war and the people involved on both sides. The book’s A4 format is ideal for clear maps, diagrams, sketches and photographs which include individuals involved on both sides of the war. The story of the Krupp gun restoration follows, providing much detail about the gun itself.
Our Gun is an interesting and valuable addition to the field of war history literature, especially for New Zealand genealogists.
Review by Ian Clarke
Title: Our Gun
Author: Geoff Lawson
Publisher: Geoff Lawson
ISBN: 9780473207472
RRP: $40
Available: Geoff Lawson: [email protected]
Author: Geoff Lawson
Publisher: Geoff Lawson
ISBN: 9780473207472
RRP: $40
Available: Geoff Lawson: [email protected]
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