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IJA David Paulley 1982  Justin Taylan 2003 |
Gun History Delivered to the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) as 15 cm Howitzer Type 96 (1936) serial number 104. Breech is still attached and still movable. Barrel is angled slightly, missing shield, wheels present. Wartime History This gun was emplaced at Tenaro near Cape Esperance overlooking Iron Bottom Sound, protecting the Japanese landing areas. Abandoned when Japanese Army withdrew from Guadalcanal in February 1943. Wreckage Until the late 1970s, this gun remained in situ at Tenaro. The barrel is angled slightly, missing shield, wheels present. The breech is still attached and movable. In the late 1970s, recovered by Fred Kona and moved to Vilu War Museum. During the early 1980s, this gun was displayed outside a hut that formed the museum's sole building. Two 150mm shells are nearby, on display in loading and readiness positions. Ewan Stevenson adds: "Two of the 150mm guns were moved down from Tenaro 1976-1978. Certainly before 1980. Some people were not very happy with Fred for moving them down. Moving these artifacts from their original location destroys forever some of their inherent value. Those Type 96 on the ridge above Tenaro were truly magnificent in the kunai grass. A nice view and intriguing mysterious position never mentioned in the books. I so wish I could have visited them and photographed and videoed them in their original location. Who knows what fortifications / archaeological remains may have been associated with them. Such archaeological earthworks that remain today in the vicinity may now be inexplicable. But that was how Fred was the only person that has been successful in putting anything together on Guadalcanal. He over rode any protests and just used his over bearing, colourful character and status." References Thanks to Peter Flahavin and Ewan Stevenson for additional information Contribute
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 Type 96 15cm Howitzer |
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