Cannon in Canada, Province by Province, Volume 1: New Brunswick

By Harold Skaarup

This first volume of Cannon in Canada is an informative and detailed synopsis of the carefully preserved and restored guns and artillery on display in the province of New Brunswick. The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery is represented by a long and distinguished line of gunners with historical ties back to the days before Canada's Confederati

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lime Press LLC
• Release date: Nov 25, 2020
• ISBN: 9781954304031

Harold Skaarup

Major (Retired) Harold A. Skaarup, CD2, BFA, MA in War Studies, is a retired Canadian Army Intelligence Officer with an interest in Military History. He has served overseas with 4 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group in Germany, with the Candian Airborne Regiment and the United Nations in Nicosia, Cyprus, with the NATO-led Peace Stabilization Force in Sarajevo, Bosni-Herzegovina, with North American Aerospace Defence Command and Northern Command in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and with the International Security Assistance Force in Kabul, Afghanistan. He currently resides at his home in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada.

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Cannon in Canada,

Province by Province,

Volume 1: New Brunswick

Harold Skaarup

Ubique

Cannon in Canada, Province by Province, Volume 1, New Brunswick

by Harold Skaarup

This book is written to provide information and motivation to readers. Its purpose isn’t to render any type of psychological, legal, or professional advice of any kind. The content is the sole opinion and expression of the author, and not necessarily that of the publisher.

Copyright © 2020 by Harold Skaarup

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form by any means, including, but not limited to, recording, photocopying, or taking screenshots of parts of the book, without prior written permission from the author or the publisher. Brief quotations for noncommercial purposes, such as book reviews, permitted by Fair Use of the U.S. Copyright Law, are allowed without written permissions, as long as such quotations do not cause damage to the book’s commercial value. For permissions, write to the publisher, whose address is stated below.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any Web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Many significant elements of the use of artillery in Canadian military history have not yet been told. The information that is found within this collection of technical data, historical reports and military photos may not be complete or fully accurate. The story will continue to unfold as additional research turns up the missing data.

First Published, 2020

Printed in the United States of America.

ISBN: 978-1-954304-04-8 (Paperback)

ISBN: 978-1-954304-03-1 (E-book)

Published by Lime Press LLC

425 West Washington Street Suite 4

Suffolk, VA 23434 US

https://www.lime-press.com/

Table of Contents

Dedications

List of Illustrations

Foreword

Preface

Acknowledgements

Introduction – Cannon in New Brunswick

Epigraph

Chapter I Artillery with the New Brunswick Military History Museum,

5 Canadian Division Support Base Gagetown

Chapter II 4th Artillery Regiment (General Support),

5 Canadian Division Support Base Gagetown

Chapter III Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery School (RRCS)

5 Canadian Division Support Base Gagetown

Chapter IV Infantry School 5 Canadian Division Support Base Gagetown

Chapter V Artillery on display in the Towns and Cities of New Brunswick

List of Abbreviations

Afterword

Bibliography

About the Author

Index

Dedications

By each gun a loaded brand, in a bold determined hand.

For both of my grandfathers, Unteroffizier Frederick Christensen Skaarup and Sergeant Walter Ray Estabrooks, two gunners who fought on opposite sides of the line during the First World War, and for all those members of the Armed Forces of Canada whose primary task at home and abroad has been and is to keep us safe.

Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery Logo.

During my service as a soldier and officer in the Canadian Forces, I was taught to use the combat arms radio call sign Sheldrake whenever the message traffic being relayed referred to artillery. This designation has been replaced with the call sign Golf. The armour elements were Ironsides, now Tango, hence the titles of the companion volumes to this series. For the interested reader, Acorn was my call sign as the Regimental and later Brigade Intelligence Officer.

List of Illustrations

Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery logo.

Diagram of Artillery and Armoured Fighting Vehicles on display around 5 Canadian Division Support Base Gagetown, New Brunswick.

12-pounder 6-cwt Smoothbore Muzzle-loading Carronade with a Blomefield pattern breeching ring, mounted on a wooden carriage, inside the NBMHM.

9-pounder 8-cwt Muzzle-loading Rifle, inside the NBMHM.

Hispano-Suiza 20-mm M1079 Mk. V Cannon, Spitfire wing gun (usually one of four), inside the NBMHM.

7.92-mm MG 81Z twin/paired (four-barreled) machine-guns with a single trigger pistol grip, inside the NBMHM.

Madsen 20-mm Anti-Aircraft Machine Cannon M/38, inside the NBMHM.

Oerlikon 20-mm/70 Light Anti-Aircraft Gun being manned by Canadian gunners on the roof of the Canadian Military Headquarters (CMHQ), London, England, ca 1942.

Oerlikon 20-mm/70 Light Anti-Aircraft Gun, inside the NBMHM.

Oerlikon 20-mm/70 Light Anti-Aircraft Gun manned by a soldier of the Saskatoon Light Infantry (MG), Spinazzola, Italy, 1 Oct 1943.

3-inch Mortar, Essex Scottish Regiment, Groesbeek, Netherlands, 24 Jan 1945.

3-inch Mortar, L/C 739, inside the NBMHM.

Gunner inserting rounds in the auto-loader of a 40-mm Bofors Light Anti-Aircraft Gun, 12 Dec 1952.

40-mm Bofors Light Anti-Aircraft Gun in a Naval gun mount, 1945, outside the front entrance of the NBMHM.

90-mm M1A1 Anti-Aircraft Gun, South Gate, 5 CDSB Gagetown

90-mm M1A1 Anti-Aircraft Gun, Main Gate, 5 CDSB Gagetown

75-mm M20 Recoilless Rifle, inside the NBMHM.

106-mm M40A1 Recoilless Rifle mounted on an M38A1 CDN3 Jeep, inside the NBMHM..

106-mm M40A1 Recoilless Rifle mounted on a jeep, being loaded by Canadian Guards, possibly in Germany, ca 1962.

106-mm M40A1 Recoilless Rifle mounted on an M113 APC, Ex Reforger, Germany, 25 Sep 1973.

105-mm C1A1 M2A2 Howitzer, Serial No. 13166, 1945, weight 1,060 lbs, in front of the NBMHM.

105-mm L5 Pack Howitzer, (Serial No. 57656), CFR 50-34041, in front of the Sgt’s and WO’s Mess, 5 CDSB Gagetown.

105-mm L5 Pack Howitzer, (Serial No. 57659), in front of the NBMHM.

155-mm C1 (M1A2) Medium Howitzer, Reg. No. CDN 2, in front of the NBMHM.

155-mm M109 Self-Propelled Howitzer, 1 RCHA, Fallex 1976, Germany.

155-mm M109 Self-Propelled Howitzer, CFR 85-77247, 1985, painted as 45B. RRCA School, 5 CDSB Gagetown.

5.5-inch BL Mk. III Medium Gun on a Mk. I Carriage, Vaucelles, France 23 July 1944.

5.5-inch BL Mk. III Medium Gun on a Mk. I Carriage, weight 1-14-1-0 (12,000 + 1,568 + 28 = 13,624 lbs), King George VI cypher, to be restored, currently in the NBMHM storage compound.

7.92-mm Maxim Spandau MG 08/15 Machineguns carried by German Prisoners of War captured by Canadians, June 1917.

7.92-mm Maxim Spandau MG 08/15 Machinegun, (Serial Nr. 8483), J.P. Sauer & Sohn, Suhl, 1918. NBMHM, Small Arms storage.

7.92-mm Schwarzlose M07.12 Machine Gun, similar to one held in the NBMHM.

7.92-mm Schwarzlose M07.12 Machine Gun, similar to one held in the NBMHM.

17-cm Kanone 18 (K18) in Mörserlafette in action in Italy, Feb 1944.

17-cm Kanone 18 (K18) in Mörserlafette in action in Tunisia, 1943.

17-ton 17-cm Kanone 18 (K18) in Mörserlafette (on a big gun carriage), (Serial Nr. R320), 1942, bye. NBMHM storage compound.

17-ton 17-cm Kanone 18 (K18) in Mörserlafette (on a big gun carriage), (Serial Nr. R320), 1942, bye. NBMHM storage compound.

Cannone da 75/27 modello 06 being fired by German gunners, ca 1943.

Cannone da 75/27 modello 06. (Geo.Ansaldo & C. Genova - 1916. FCA 1099, MLA 3432, KG.345), in front of the NBMHM.

70-mm Type 92 Battalion Gun.

70-mm Type 92 Battalion Gun (Serial No. 2561), inside the NBMHM.

ASU-57 SP Airborne Assault Gun (Serial No. 52-P-273, NG 556), NBMHM vehicle park.

Air Defense Anti-Tank System (ADATS) is a dual-purpose short range surface-to-air and anti-tank missile system based on the M113A2 vehicle. On display beside the Headquarters of the 4th Artillery Regiment (General Support), 5 CDSB Gagetown.

3-pounder Vickers, Sons & Maxim LD Semi-Automatic QF Gun, No. 1 in front of the 4th Artillery Regiment (General Support), Headquarters, main entrance.

3-pounder USN, Vickers, Sons & Maxim LL Semi-Automatic QF Gun, No. 2 in front of the 4th Artillery Regiment (General Support), Headquarters, main entrance.

40-mm Bofors Light Anti-Aircraft Gun, UK, Mar 1943.

40-mm Bofors Light Anti-Aircraft Gun, 4th Artillery Regiment (General Support), Headquarters, west entrance.

90-mm M1A1 Anti-Aircraft Gun, inside the vehicle compound, 4th Artillery Regiment (General Support), 5 CDSB Gagetown.

Oerlikon 35-mm Twin Cannon, 4th Artillery Regiment (General Support), inside the vehicle compound, 5 CDSB Gagetown.

Oerlikon 35-mm Twin Cannon, 4th Artillery Regiment (General Support), inside the vehicle compound, 5 CDSB Gagetown.

Skyguard Radar System, 4th Artillery Regiment (General Support), inside the vehicle compound, 5 CDSB Gagetown.

155-mm M777 Howitzer in action, RCRCS at 5 CDSB Gagetown.

Iron ½-pounder Smoothbore Muzzle-loading Cannon, inside the RRCAS.

12-pounder 6-cwt Breechloading Mk. IV Gun, inside the RRCAS.

U.S. Model 1905 3-inch field gun, (Serial No. 309), built by Bethlehem Steel, 1914. Inside the RRCAS.

U.S. Model 1905 3-inch field gun, (Serial No. 309), built by Bethlehem Steel, 1914. Inside the RRCAS.

Limber (Serial No. 1890), 3-inch Gun Caisson, Model of 1916, Rock Island Arsenal, 1918. Inside the RRCAS.

American 75-mm M1917 Field Gun, Bethlehem Steel Coy, 1912, 995 Pounds, (Serial No. 489) on the muzzle. Inside the RRCAS.

81-mm C3 Mortar, inside the RRCAS.

4.2-inch M-30 Mortar on M24 Mount, Rock Island Arsenal, 1952, inside the RRCAS.

25-pounder C Mk. 2 QF Field Gun with No. 9 circular firing platform, in front of the main entrance to the RRCAS.

25-pounder C Mk. 2 QF Field Gun with No. 9 circular firing platform, with funeral platform, inside the RRCAS.

Limber for 25-pounder C Mk. 2 QF Field Gun.

75-mm QF M1A1 Pack Howitzer (Serial No. 3063), on an M8 Carriage, Arsenal No. 5024, inside the RRCAS.

105-mm L5 Pack Howitzer, (Serial No. 57747), inside the RRCAS.

120-mm Mortar with wheeled flat base plate and 1941 Canadian tires, outside the K lines of the RRCAS.

French Hotchkiss 25-mm APX modèle 1937 (Canon de 25 mm semi-automatique modèle 1937) anti-tank gun (Serial No. 2206), stamped APX 1940, G 25, SAL 1937, on display outside the RRCAS K lines.

85-mm D-44 Divisional Gun, outside the RRCAS K lines.

Blowpipe short range surface to air missile launcher and Missile, inside the RRCAS.

Javelin short range surface to air missile launcher, inside the RRCAS.

105-mm C1A1 M2A2 Howitzer (Reg. No. 15062), outside the RRCAS K lines.

155-mm M109 Self-Propelled Howitzer, 1 RCHA, Fallex 1982, Germany.

155-mm M109 Self-Propelled Howitzer, (Reg. No. 77240), 1985, on display in front of the RRCAS.

105mm C2 (M101/33) Howitzers, inside the RRCAS K lines hangar.

105-mm LG1 Mk. II Howitzers, inside the RRCAS K lines hangar.

155-mm M777 Howitzers inside the RRCAS K lines hangar.

Cessna L-19E Bird Dog (Serial No. 16733), Canadian Army, Royal Canadian Artillery Spotter aircraft in flight over 5 CDSB Gagetown, July 1973.

155-mm M777 Howitzer Gun Crew, RRCAS, taking part in New Brunswick Day celebrations on the grounds of the Lieutenant-Governor of New Brunswick in Fredericton, 6 August 2012.

Canadian soldiers firing a 155-mm M777 Howitzer from a forward operating base in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan, 7 April 2007.

.50-cal Anti-aircraft Machine Gun display, inside the Infantry School, 5 CDSB Gagetown.

9-inch 12-ton Mk. V Muzzle-loading Rifle. Allison, NB.

8-inch 9-cwt Smoothbore Muzzle-loading Land Service Mortar. Aulac, Fort Beauséjour - Fort Cumberland National Historic Site of Canada.

8-inch 9-cwt Smoothbore Muzzle-loading Land Service Mortar. Aulac, Fort Beauséjour - Fort Cumberland National Historic Site of Canada.

4-pounder Smoothbore Muzzle-loading Carronade with Blomefield pattern breeching ring, weight corroded, Falkirk (F) on the left trunnion, (SOLID) on the right trunnion, unmounted, Aulac, Fort Beauséjour - Fort Cumberland National Historic Site of Canada.

64-pounder 71-cwt Mk. I Muzzle-loading Rifle with Millar pattern breeching ring, Aulac, Fort Beauséjour - Fort Cumberland National Historic Site of Canada.

Blomefield Cast Iron 24-pounder 50-cwt Smoothbore Muzzle-loading Gun, Aulac, Fort Beauséjour - Fort Cumberland National Historic Site of Canada.

18-pounder Smoothbore Muzzle-loading Cannon, Aulac, Fort Beauséjour - Fort Cumberland National Historic Site of Canada.

18-pounder Smoothbore Muzzle-loading Cannon, Aulac, Fort Beauséjour - Fort Cumberland National Historic Site of Canada.

18-pounder Smoothbore Muzzle-loading Cannon, Aulac, Fort Beauséjour - Fort Cumberland National Historic Site of Canada.

6-pounder 14-cwt Smoothbore Muzzle-loading Cannon, Aulac, Fort Beauséjour - Fort Cumberland National Historic Site of Canada.

2-pounder Smoothbore Muzzle-loading Cannon, weight and trunnions corroded, Fort Gaspéreau, ca. 1751-1756, Aulac, Fort Beauséjour - Fort Cumberland National Historic Site of Canada.

Bronze 6-pounder 6-cwt Smoothbore Muzzle-loading Cannon, weight 6-0-9 (681 lbs), J & H (John & Henry) King, 1813, King George III cypher (1760-1820), below the Henry, Earl of Musgrave, Master General of Ordnance cypher (1810-1818), broad arrow mark (indicating British Government ordnance), mounted on a wheeled wood field carriage. Aulac, Fort Beauséjour - Fort Cumberland National Historic Site of Canada.

Bronze 6-pounder 6-cwt Smoothbore Muzzle-loading Cannon, weight 6-0-9 (681 lbs), J & H (John & Henry) King, 1813, King George III cypher (1760-1820), below the Henry, Earl of Musgrave, Master General of Ordnance cypher (1810-1818), broad arrow mark (indicating British Government ordnance), mounted on a wheeled wood field carriage. Aulac, Fort Beauséjour - Fort Cumberland National Historic Site of Canada.

6-pounder 7-cwt QF Anti-Tank Gun, Herman J. Good VC, Branch No. 18, Royal Canadian Legion War Museum, Bathurst, NB.

7.92-mm Maxim Spandau MG 08/15 Machinegun, (Serial Nr. 2849), Gwf Spandau, 1918. Herman J. Good VC, Branch No. 18, Royal Canadian Legion War Museum, Bathurst, NB.

Model of the French frigate Le Machault, Lieutenant Giraudais’s' flagship during the Battle of the Restigouche.

The French frigate Le Machault, Lieutenant Giraudais's flagship, de-masted during the Battle of the Restigouche in July 1760.

12-livre Smoothbore Muzzle-loading Cannon, salvaged from the Machault with fleur-de-lys on the barrel and a large letter P on the cascable, mounted on a British 24-pounder iron garrison carriage. Campbellton, NB.

12-livre Smoothbore Muzzle-loading Cannon, salvaged from the Machault with fleur-de-lys on the barrel and a large letter P on the cascable, mounted on a British 24-pounder iron garrison carriage. Campbellton, NB.

12-livre Smoothbore Muzzle-loading Cannon, 5-1/2-inch bore (14-cm), with anchors on the barrel, F on both trunnions, mounted on a British 24-pounder iron carriage. Campbellton, NB.

7.7-cm FK 96 n.A. captured by Canadians, Battle of Amiens, Aug 1918.

7.7-cm FK 96 n.A., (Serial Nr. 2402). Campbellton, NB.

105-mm C1A1 M2A2 Howitzer, CDN 129 AKA CFR 56- 34228, No. 1 of 2. Cap Pelé, NB.

105-mm C1A1 M2A2 Howitzer, CDN 5 AKA CFR 55-34110, No. 2 of 2. Cap Pelé, NB.

90-mm M1A1 Anti-Aircraft Gun on display in a memorial park facing the Bay of