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German Railway gun captured at the Battle of Amiens - WW1

German Railway gun captured at the Battle of Amiens - WW1


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German Railway gun captured at the Battle of Amiens - WW1

A huge German Railway gun captured at the Battle of Amiens on 8th August 1918 became a source of some Allied controversy. The Australian 31st Battalion effected its capture, but, in the wake of the continued Allied advance, the gun received a large painted inscription stating that the gun had been captured by the British 4th Army (see picture) of which the ANZAC Corps was a component. A thorough investigation was made of the circumstances of the guns capture - an insightful example of the contested nature of war material involving notions of identity and ownership - before it was finally transported to Australia for public display (AWM Archive). The gun was originally intended for naval use, mounted in the battleship SMS Hessen. Date: 1918

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Media ID 11587719

© Mary Evans / Grenville Collins Postcard Collection

31st Amiens Anzac Artillery Australian Battalion Berth Bretonneux Calibre Capture Captured Contest Contested Controversial Controversy Corps Dispute Disputed Heavy Howitzer Identity Inscription Krupp Ownership Sydney Tonnes Villers


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EDITORS COMMENTS
A monumental and controversial relic of the First World War, this photograph captures the moment when Allied forces, led by the Australian 31st Battalion, seized control of a colossal German Railway gun during the Battle of Amiens on August 8, 1918. The 28cm (11 inch) caliber, 185-ton (168-tonne) Krupp howitzer, originally intended for naval use and mounted on the battleship SMS Hessen, was a formidable weapon in the hands of the German army. The capture of this gun marked a significant turning point in the battle, which saw the Allied forces make substantial gains against the German lines. However, the circumstances surrounding its capture sparked controversy when, in the aftermath of the continued Allied advance, a large painted inscription appeared on the gun, claiming it had been captured by the British 4th Army, of which the ANZAC Corps was a component. The Australian authorities conducted a thorough investigation into the capture's authenticity, as the ANZAC Corps sought recognition for their role in the event. The dispute over the gun's ownership and the identity of the capturing force highlights the complex and contested nature of war material during wartime. Eventually, the gun was transported to Australia for public display, where it stands as a testament to the bravery and determination of the Allied forces during the Battle of Amiens. Today, it is housed in the Australian War Memorial in Sydney, serving as a poignant reminder of the historical significance of this pivotal moment in the First World War. The Battle of Amiens took place near Villers-Bretonneux, and the capture of this railway gun at Little Berth is considered a major victory for the Allied forces. The gun's impressive size and historical importance make it a must-see attraction for visitors to the memorial.

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