155 mm Creusot Long Tom: Difference between revisions
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Revision as of 04:49, 3 October 2016
| 155 mm Creusot Long Tom | |
|---|---|
 Long Tom in action during the siege of Mafeking | |
| Type | Field gun |
| Place of origin | France |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Schneider et Cie, Le Creusot, France |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 6,500 kilograms (14,300 lb) |
| Length | 7.5 metres (25 ft) |
| Barrel length | 4.2 metres (14 ft) |
| Shell | 94 pounds (43 kg) |
| Caliber | 155 millimetres (15.5 cm) |
| Maximum firing range | 9,000 metres (30,000 ft) |
The 155 mm Creusot Long Tom was a French siege gun (artillery piece) manufactured by Schneider et Cie in Le Creusot, France and used by the Boers in the Second Boer War as field guns. [1]
Four guns, along with 4,000 common shells, 4,000 shrapnel shells and 800 case shot were purchased by the South African Republic (informally known as the Transvaal) in 1897. The guns were emplaced in four forts around the country's capital, Pretoria.[2]
Second Boer War
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During the Second Boer War the guns were deployed as field guns and siege guns at Vaal Krantz,[3] Ladysmith, Mafeking, Kimberley and Bergendal. During the early stages of the war these guns gave the Boers an advantage as they had longer range than any British guns that were deployed in South Africa at the time.[4] After all their ammunition had been expended, the guns were destroyed one by one, to prevent them from falling into British hands.
Long Tom shells are incorporated in the Honoured Dead Memorial in Kimberley, commemorating those who fell in the town's defence, where they surround the gun called Long Cecil (built in Kimberley during the siege by George Labram, and a catalyst in the Boers bringing Long Tom to the siege).
Replicas of the original cannons can be seen at various places in South Africa, including Fort Klapperkop near Pretoria, in the Long Tom Pass in Mpumalanga, The Anglo-Boer War Museum in Bloemfontein (formerly the War Museum of the Boer Republics) and next to the town hall in Ladysmith.
Location of Long Tom emplacements
Pretoria Forts
After the abortive Jameson Raid the government decided to build four forts around the capital, Pretoria. These were called Fort Schanskop, Fort Klapperkop, Fort Daspoortrand and Fort Wonderboompoort. A Long Tom was placed in each fort.
| Fort name | WGS84 | Google Earth search | Coords |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schanskop | 25°46'39"S, 28°11'06"E | Fort Schanskop | 25°46′39″S 28°11′06″E / 25.77750°S 28.18500°E |
| Klapperkop | 25°46'49"S, 28°12'36"E | Fort Klapperkop Heritage Site | 25°46′49″S 28°12′36″E / 25.78028°S 28.21000°E |
| Daspoortrand | 25°43'59"S, 28°04'36"E | Fort Daspoortrand | 25°43′59″S 28°04′36″E / 25.73306°S 28.07667°E |
| Wonderboompoort | 25°41'32"S, 28°11'39"E | Fort Wonderboompoort | 25°41′32″S 28°11′39″E / 25.69222°S 28.19417°E |
Ladysmith
Initially the Boers had two Long Toms. The bombardment commenced on 2 November 1899, with one of the Long Toms firing from Pepworthy Hill.[5]: p. 156. The second Long Tom was emplaced on Bulwana Hill and started firing on 8 November.[5]: p. 158. [6]
On 27th November the Boers brought a third Long Tom and emplaced it on Middle Hill. Two old howitzers were brought up and one had a lucky shot, killing or injuring nine Boer gunners and damaging the Long Tom itself.[5]: p. 163. .[7] The Boers moved the Long Tom on Pepworth Hill to Gun Hill (Lombardskop) on or about 7 December. A couple of nights later the Brits launched a commando attack again this gun, damaged its muzzle with a charge of gun cotton and removed its breach block.[5]: p. 168.
| Emplacement | ±Location (WGS84) | Coords |
|---|---|---|
| Pepworth Hill | 28°30'S, 29°49'E | 28°30′S 29°49′E / 28.500°S 29.817°E |
| Bulwana | 28°35'S, 29°51'E | 28°35′S 29°51′E / 28.583°S 29.850°E |
| Gun Hill | 28°33'S, 29°51'E | 28°33′S 29°51′E / 28.550°S 29.850°E |
| Middle Hill | 28°37'S, 29°45'E | 28°37′S 29°45′E / 28.617°S 29.750°E |
Vaalkrans
One of the Long Toms at Ladysmith was taken forward for use during the Battle of Vaal Krantz. Prior to 5 February 1900 an emplacement had been prepared for it on a hill called "Doringkop"(Thorn Hill). The gun arrived at Vaal Krantz on 5 February, but could not be placed on the hill because one of its wheels had broken and the hill was too steep anyway. The Boers managed to get it to the top that night. It started firing at 05:15 the next morning. British return fire only managed to destroy one of it ammunition wagon, but the setback was temporary. [8]
| Emplacement | Location (WGS84) | Coords |
|---|---|---|
| Doringkop | 28°40'42"S, 29°40'11"E | 28°40′42″S 29°40′11″E / 28.67833°S 29.66972°E |
Kimberley
The Long Tom damaged by the British commandos on 7 December 1899 was taken back to Pretoria for repairs. There the front end of the muzzle was cut off and henceforth the gun was known as the Jew. The breechblock was replaced and it was ready for action. It was then sent to Kimberley, where it was emplaced on a mine dump next to the Kamfers Dam on 6 February 1900.[9]
| Emplacement | Location (WGS84) | Coord |
|---|---|---|
| Kamfers Dam | 28°41'07"S, 24°46'23"E | 28°41′07″S 24°46′23″E / 28.68528°S 24.77306°E |
Diamond Hill
The battle of Diamond Hill took place east of Pretoria in June 1900.There was one Long Tom mounted on a railway truck parked at the Vandermerwe Station[10] It is not known whether it fired a shot.
| Place name | Location (WGS84) | Coords |
|---|---|---|
| Vandermerwe Station | 25°43'28"S, 28°29'43"E | 25°43′28″S 28°29′43″E / 25.72444°S 28.49528°E |
Bergendal
The Battle of Bergendal was the last set piece battle of the war and took place near Belfast, Mpumalanga, in August 1900. It was the only occasion on which all four Long Toms were used in the same battle.
Gun A. Before the battle started this gun was at Dullstroom. It was then moved to a hill south of the farm De Zuikerboschkop,north-west of Belfast.[11] The emplacement has not been found, but should be in the vicinity of 25°37'15"S, 29°56'52"E(WGS84). The cavalry drove it away on 26 August. After the battle it probably escaped to Lydenburg and then into the nearby bushveld.
Gun B. This gun was placed on the farm Waterval on a ridge called Witrant.[12] The location of the emplacement is 25°37' 55"S, 30°09'02"[WGS84]. On 27 August it was moved forward. After the battle it escaped past Helvetia to Lydenburg and from there over the pass to Sabie and down to Komatipoort.
Gun C. Initially this gun was mounted on a railway truck. Around 7 August it was moved to the Elandskop vicinity.[12] This emplacement, marked "C1", is situated at 25°46'13"S, 30°12'50"E (WGS84). Before 23 August the gun was moved to a place south-west of Dalmanutha station ("C2")situated at 25°46'14"S, 30°09'05"E [WGS84].[13] Thereafter it was moved to hill 1881 behind the ZARPs (C3) at 25°44'10"S, 30°07'00"E (WGS84) .[12] After the battle it fled past Helvetia to Lydenburg and from there over the pass to Sabie and down to Komatipoort.
Gun D. This gun remained on the farm Driekop throughout the battle.[14] The emplacement was found at 25°48'11"S, 30°10'22"E [WGS84]. After the battle it was taken to Komatipoort via Barberton.
See also
Further reading
- Joubert, H, The Long Tom gun emplacements during the battle of Bergendal, Military History Journal, volume 15, No 4
References
- ^ Louis Changuion (2001). Silence of the guns: the history of the Long Toms of the Anglo-Boer War. Protea Book House. p. 164. ISBN 978-1-919825-50-2.
- ^ Hall, D.D. (1978-06-03). "THE NAVAL GUNS IN NATAL 1899-1902". Military History Journal. 4 (3). The South African Military History Society. ISSN 0026-4016. Retrieved 2009-11-10.
- ^ Atkins, John Black (1900). "XIII. We attack Vaal Krantz and fail again". The relief of Ladysmith. London: Methuen. p. 263. Retrieved 2009-11-10.
- ^ Hall, D.D. (1971-12-02). "Guns in South Africa 1899-1902 Part III and IV". Military History Journal. 2 (2). The South African Military History Society. ISSN 0026-4016. Retrieved 2009-11-10.
- ^ a b c d Amery, L.S. (editor), The Times History of the War in South Africa, Part 3, Chapter 7.
- ^ Breytenbach, J.H., Die Geskiedenis van die Tweede Vryheidsoorlog in Suid-Afrika, 1899-1902, Government Printer, Pretoria, 1969, Part 1, chapter 16.
- ^ Changuion, supra, p. 49-50
- ^ Breytenbach, J.H., Die Geskiedenis van die Tweede Vryheidsoorlog in Suid-Afrika, 1899-1902, Government Printer, Pretoria, 1969, Part 3, chapter 8.
- ^ Peddle, D.E.: Long Cecil, the gun made in Kimberley during the Siege, Military History Journal, The South African Military History Society, Johannesburg, volume 4, No. 1, June 1977
- ^ Nel, H.F., Die Slag van Donkerhoek, 11-12 Junie 1900, Scientia Militaria, volume 15, no. 1, p.52 at p. 56.
- ^ Breytenbach, J.H., Die Geskiedenis van die Tweede Vryheidsoorlog in Suid-Afrika, Pretoria, Government Printer,1996, volume VI., p. 318
- ^ a b c Reichmann, C & Slocum, S.L’H., Boer War Operations in South Africa 1899 – 1901,Washington,1901 & Scripta Africana, 1987, p. 231.
- ^ Preller, G.S., Die Vier “Long Toms” Die Huisgenoot, 28 May 1937, pages 14 – 15 and 21.
- ^ Van Rensburg, T. (editor), Vir Vaderland, Vryheid en Eer. Oorlogsherinneringe van Wilhelm Mangold, 1899 – 1902, Pretoria, Raad vir Geesteswetenskaplike Navorsing, 1988, p. 238.
External links
