Can anyone ID the gun? It's on the Gothic Line in what looks to me like an old Renault tank turret ... but could be wrong about that ... thnks ... Phil
I think you are right about the Renault turret, looks like they took the barrel of a A.A. gun and stuck it in the turret was this a memorial site or a original defensive bunker?? regards Bob R.
Interesting. I was not aware the Italian produced Ft17 (3000 / L5) variants used this (part) cast turret, instead having fabricated turrets on all their pre-war and wartime tanks - This could be from the original French batch or from an Italian version of 'Beute Panzer' captured from Yugoslavia (who had them) or similar. The gun is unlikely to be an original fitting and looks like a Hotchkiss variant. To me it appears more 25mm than 13.2mm although the latter is more likely in an Italian context as they made them under licence. A problem with war memorials is that whilst the sentiment is essential and admirable, the design is often more about the time they were constructed than the people and events they commemorate (in perpetuity). Often constructed long after the event commemorated from whatever the constructors can lay their hands on (probably what the army had available). Involvement of veterans or advisers is often outweighed by artistic impression. Still, they give us 'rivet counters' something to do!
Thanks guys ... it was a monument put up a few years back ... it could be on the site of an original gun position ... but I think it was a cobbled together affair ... the gun certainly looked anti-aircraft rapid fire from the recoil arrangement 1/3 of the way up the barrel ... will take close up photos when I am back there next year.
phil looks like the Canadian Memorial - near Tuvalu- Randy Klein took pictures last year on his trip... cheers
Funny what a small world it is Tom ... I live just north of Toronto ... you went to U of T ... I was born in Bournemouth ... we emigrated in '58 ... you had a business there!
