German guns for SW Africa

[traveller]

I am planning a new project for the Herero/Hottentott Rebellion in SW Africa 1903-1907. For the infantry I will use Brigade games, Redoubt, Copplestone and Pulp miniatures but I am a bit unsure regarding the artillery. The only crew figures I have found are from Tiger Miniatures. Can there be any other alternatives? Regarding artillery pieces I have read references about the Germans having "mountain guns" or "quick firing guns". Below are some images supposed to portray what was used. I would be very grateful for any general recommendation what 28mm models to use, and in particular what artillery pieces that would be the best.

[Gluteus Maximus]

There was a thread a few months back where a similar question was asked:

http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=12266.0

To quote Helen Bachaus:

".... if you are planning on German South West Africa then you can use the Krupp 77cm 96n/A. This model you can find any where, but I recommend the Battle Honours model."

The Krupp C73 90mm gun was also mentioned by Ray Rivers as being in use in Africa at the start of WW1.

[traveller]

Thanks Gluteus,

the link was great. In the Axis forum there were more details:

DSWA: 68-75 kanonen in the colony (sources differ on whether the old "museum pieces" were ever mounted) of a myriad of makes and not all of which were fielded in the defense of the colony [only the first 46 took the field at any point, the rest were in various forts]: 4 x 10,5-cm leFH 98 (2,000 shells), 8 x 7,7-cm FK 96 n.A., 22 x 7,7-cm FK 96 (16,000 shells), 12 x 7,5-cm Ehrhardt Geb.K L/17 m08 (6,000 shells), 4 (9?) x 3,7-cm Krupp Maschinenkanone (pom-pom), 3 x 5,7-cm QF guns, 3 (2?) x 3,7-cm Revolverkanone, 6 x 7 cm Krupp Geb.K L/14 M 98, 4 (3?) x 6-cm Krupp Geb.K, 4 x 8-cm FK C/73 [not used]

it seems almost anything might be used. As  I have not seen any photos of any BH gun, I am tempted to go for the Askari 75mm Krupp gun:



or the Perry 6 lb Krupp:

[Traveler Man]

Useful information for me also. Thanks! 

[traveller]

Useful information for me also. Thanks! 

We travellers must help each other 

[Gluteus Maximus]

 

I'd recommend the Perry gun. They are beautiful castings, no deformities and very easy to construct and a bargain at 8.00 GBP. The crew might be a problem for you, but I'm sure you would find many buyers here if you did decide to buy and then wanted to sell them.

[traveller]

Thanks for the advice. A crew in fez can never be a problem 

[Chris Dale]

The mountain guns mentioned in the first message (and shown in the first illustration) are photographed in detail and covered on a page called "Schutztruppe Mountain Guns" in the "Guns and Artillery" heading at www.germancolonialuniforms.co.uk

"In 1904 Ehrhardt designed a new 75mm mountain gun using the world's first variable recoil system. Variable recoil is still a feature of modern artillery pieces. The Ehrhardt 1904 model was never used by the regular German army and its issue was limited to twelve guns for the Schutztruppe of German South West Africa. Luckily all twelve original guns still survive."

Hope that helps,
Cheers
Chris

[Gluteus Maximus]

Imagine the expense of doing that? Design a new gun, then only make 12 

Even more exclusive than a Zonda Roadster 

[traveller]

Thanks Chris,

great information! That seems to close the issue. It seems hard though to find a suitable model that resemble your finding:





However, I would assume that the above pieces were not all deployed at the outbreak of the conflict in 1904. In "The Revolt of the Hereros" by Jon Bridgman it says that "German artillery was limited to five modern quickfiring mountain guns and five older pieces", so maybe the Perry Krupp is the safest bet after all 

[Malamute]

A long way from Mexico Eh Bo? 

[traveller]

There are many theatres of war... 

[Chris Dale]

Thanks Chris,

great information! That seems to close the issue.

However, I would assume that the above pieces were not all deployed at the outbreak of the conflict in 1904. In "The Revolt of the Hereros" by Jon Bridgman it says that "German artillery was limited to five modern quickfiring mountain guns and five older pieces", so maybe the Perry Krupp is the safest bet after all 

You're welcome, glad it was helpful. I'm sure you're right in that they weren't out there for the outbreak of the rebellion, though they may have come out with von Trotha's reinforcements in time for Waterberg...

Cheers
Chris