NZ's first trophy artillery gun a 75mm Krupp
Date: 
Wednesday, 2 July, 2014

From:  Geoff Lawson

The book is titled "Our Gun" and is a true story about the war history and post - war story of NZ's first trophy artillery gun; a 75mm Krupp that is our first Krupp, our oldest Krupp, our only blackpowder Krupp and the only surviving Boer War artillery gun in NZ that is still complete and in reasonably original condition.

When I began the book, I realised that few NZr's really understood the Anglo Boer War so it became an explanation of the causes of the war and the story of the western front, where our gun was used and finally captured by British forces under Brigadier General Roberts on the 27th Feb. 1900. It is an incredible story that is not without drama and hope, success, defeat and loss is all a part of it.

The book is unique. It is profusely illustrated with photos, drawings and maps. Most of the period photos came direct from sources in Sth Africa and have never been seen in a NZ publication before. Some have never been seen in any publication before and were chosen for their clarity and relevence to the text.

Usually, no one knows the history of an old artillery gun - and that limits it's historical value to only being an interesting relic of evolving technology. In the case of Krupp Number Four however, everything about it is known. We know who has had it, where it has been, what happened to it and the contribution it has made to the history of Empire. This elevates it to an all new level of the historical consciousness.

This is a book about an icon - a national military treasure that has sat around Wanganui for more than a hundred years, which no-one knew anything about until I became invovlved with it's restoration and began to do some research. This book is a high quality product, printed on quality paper and is as much an icon as the gun and the war it talks about. In addition, it is the best damn read on the Anglo Boer War you'll ever have, and is rated five stars (100%) by NZ Geographic magazine, which has nothing but praise for my literary style. All ex gunners and war history enthusiasts should own a copy of this.

For purchase contact:

                            Websight - www.ourgun.co.nz
                            Address - 3 Wilkie Street, Wanganui 4500
                            Phone -  06 3432422
                            email - [email protected]
                            Regards, Geoff Lawson