Silence of the guns. The history of the Long Toms of the Anglo-Boer War

Silence of the guns is a most interesting book on the history and the myths of the artillery piece Long Tom which was operated during the Anglo-Boer War.
Changuion, Louis
07-0005
978-1-91-982550-2
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Title: Silence of the guns
Subtitle: The history of the Long Toms of the Anglo-Boer War
Author: Louis Changuion
Publisher: Protea Boekhuis
Pretoria, South Africa 2001
ISBN 9781919825502 / ISBN 978-1-91-982550-2
Hardcover, dustjacket, 28 x 24 cm, 188 pages, numerous photos, English

Condition:

Very good, slight traces of useage on the dustjacket, hardcover und inside like new.

About: Silence of the guns: The history of the Long Toms of the Anglo-Boer War

After the unsuccessful Jameson Raid of 1896, four forts were built around Pretoria and for each a 155 mm gun was bought from the firm Schneider et Cie in Le Creusot, France. When the Anglo-Boer War erupted in 1899 these guns were taken from Pretoria to be used against the British at the sieges of Ladysmith, Mafeking and Kimberley. After the relief of these towns and especially after the Boers adopted guerrilla tactics, the Long Toms became a burden. The result was that the Boers destroyed the Long Toms to prevent the guns being taken by the enemy. Several myths and legends about these four guns had their origin during the war. And it is often difficult to distinguish between what is fact and what is fiction about the Long Toms. Were they really as formidable as the Boers made them out to be? Did they really outclass the British guns? Why are there today no Long Toms to be seen anywhere? Is there, as rumour has it, one lying somewhere in a hidden kloof where it was dumped by the? These and many more questions are addressed in this book.

Content: About: Silence of the guns. The history of the Long Toms of the Anglo-Boer War

Part One: The Long Toms in Action
DURING THE PERIOD OF THE BOER OFFENSIVE October 1899 - November 1899
DURING THE PERIOD OF THE FIRST BRITISH OFFENSIVE November 1899 - February 1900
DURING THE PERIOD OF THE SECOND BRITISH OFFENSIVE February 1900 - September 1900
DURING THE GUERILLA PHASE OF THE WAR September 1900 - May 1902
Part Two: A Hundred Years Later
PUTTING IT BACK TOGETHER AGAIN
The strength of the State Artillery at the beginning of the War
Details of the Long Toms
The ammunition of the Long Tom
The gun drill of a Long Tom
The Long Tom replicas
Long Tom scale models
The Haenertsburg monument
References
Sources
Index