Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna takes delivery of WW1 original gun

An original World War I British 18-pounder quick-firing field gun was yesterday delivered to Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna.

The gun weighs just over a ton and was capable of firing high-explosive shells weighing 4.6 - 8.4 kilogrammes. In WWI, British 18pounder guns fired over 100 million rounds over a range of 5,966 metres.

The foundation said the purchase and transportation of the gun was made possible as a result of a joint effort between a number of local and foreign public bodies and commercial companies.

The gun was obtained through private sources in the UK for eventual display at the planned museum extension of the Saluting Battery in Valletta. This extension will also feature state-of-the-art museum space, with work on the project starting in the new year.

The foundation said the purchase of the gun was funded through the sponsorship of the Finance Ministry's Good Causes Fund, Bank of Valletta plc and donations received from visitors to FWA heritage sites.

The transportation to Malta was undertaken by the Royal Air Force on a C130 Hercules military transport plane through the intervention of the British High Commission, the foundation explained. Malta International Airport, Air Malta, the Armed Forces of Malta, and E.L. Attard Ltd of Kalkara also helped.

The gun was flown from RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire, UK on a training flight.