No products in the cart.
Made in Canada
The QF 25-pounder gets its name from the weight of the shells this rapid-firing artillery fires: 25 pounds. QF stands for Quick Firing. Because of its application as a field gun and its caliber, this light gun is also called the “9-field. Its first production dates back to 1938 in England. The one on display at the Liberation Museum Zeeland, type MK II, was built in Canada in 1943.
Over 12 km range
Shooting was done with so-called “separated ammunition. That means that first the projectile was placed and “turned on,” followed by the cartridge case with firing cap. The maximum range was 12,250 meters, with a firing rate of 6 to 8 shots per minute.
Field gun in action
With its combination of firepower and maneuverability, the QF 25-pounder was well suited as a field gun in Zeeland’s fighting terrain. The artillery played an important role during the Battle of the Scheldt and the liberation of the Netherlands. Both English and Canadian troops made use of it.
On October 30, 1944, Nieuwdorp was liberated by Canadian troops. Batteries with 25-pounder artillery were then deployed east of the village to support the Canadian and Scottish assault spears in their attempts to retake Eastern Walcheren from the Germans.
Salute shots and ceremonial use
After World War II, the cannon remained in service with the Royal Army for about 20 more years, from 1945 to 1965. Today, it is still used for gun salutes on royal occasions and other ceremonial events.
This particular specimen stood for many years as an eye-catcher at a Dutch barracks in Seedorf, Germany. After the closure of this barracks in 2006, it moved to the Dutch Artillery Museum in ‘t Harde. In 2009 it was made available to the Liberation Museum Zeeland, where it has occupied a prominent place ever since.