Fire Away (Otago) Traditional Cache

This cache has been archived.

Cumbyrocks: Looks like it's disappeared again. A little tired of having to replace this cache so archiving until I can think of a way to make a cache at this location last!

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Hidden : 11/2/2010
Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size: micro (micro)

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Geocache Description:

A quick drive by cache at an installation that is a long way from home. It is a magnetic nano tucked away on the safe side of the gun.



The Krupp 7.5 cm Model 1903 was a field gun used by Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands in World War II. It also formed the basis for the Type 38 75 mm Field Gun used by Japan. In Danish service it was known as the 03 L/30 and doesn't appear to have been modified in any significant way before World War II.

The particular gun you will visit has an interesting history. From 'The Lost Guns of New Zealand' by Mike Subritzky

... the 'Portabello' gun was a 7.5 cm Krupp (with German cypher and markings) Field gun from WWI, which had been captured by the New Zealand Division. As many of us are aware, after the end of the First World War a considerable number of captured field pieces were brought back to New Zealand and held for the construction of a National Military Museum. However, for one reason or another (money) the museum was never built and all of these guns were then given to various communities around New Zealand, one being the Portobello gun. This gun stood on the seaward side of the township for many years and was towed by car late one evening by young petrol heads and one of its wooden wheels was broken. It was then unceremoniously buried in the local dump.

In about 1976, I learned of this gun through a photograph in a book and went to some lengths to eventually find it, minus a wheel. I was given permission by the residents of Portabello and the BC of 31(B) Battery to bring the gun back to 'Central Battery' in Dunedin and begin restoring it. Eventually with help we managed to locate the other gun wheel on a farmer's house wall and he was persuaded to give it to the project. Shortly afterward another local farmer rang me and informed me that he had heard that we were attempting to restore an old gun and that he had 'another' old gun on his property on memorial hill which he wanted us to remove.

Ron Martin, Jim Taituha and myself went and retrieved this second gun from the bottom of the hill where it had actually been thrown off the monument. This gun was also a Krupp 7.5 cm, but had a Turkish cypher and markings; perhaps from Gallipoli? Naturally when we got back to Central Battery, the BSM Ivan Trueman was not a happy pirate as he regarded them as 'older than himself and bloody messy'. Over the next year the guns were quietly being restored by a number of Territorial Gunners and myself, and then I was posted back to 161 Battery and lost touch. I understand that the Portobello gun eventually went back to its original location.



It did and this is where you come in. Your mission is to locate the Portobello Krupp and find the treasure hidden within. It is recommended you park across the road next to the playground and take care crossing a road that can be busy at times. At GZ you will be exposed and stealth will be needed to conceal your activities from the passing traffic. Walkers can pop up out of nowhere, so keep your eyes peeled.

Mike Subritzky is one of New Zealand’s best known war poets and his work appears in numerous books, CD’s, and anthologies. His poetry and verse is often read on National Radio on ANZAC Day (New Zealand’s National Day of Remembrance). He is the first New Zealand poet to have his war poetry read at Westminster Abbey, and the first Kiwi war poet to be read at ANZAC Corner, Hyde Park, London. A retired professional soldier, from an old New Zealand military family, he is the recipient of the New Zealand Operational Service Medal, as are two of his sons.

Whilst you visit the Portobello Krupp pay tribute to the ANZAC's with one of Mike's poems...

PASTURES GREEN

Pastures green, poppy fields,
graves for soldiers fallen.
A wooden cross marks a resting place,
a thousand miles from loved ones.

Rusted wire, silent guns,
trenches torn and broken.
A helmet rests on a rifle butt,
the tools of war unspoken.

Anzac Days, colours blaze,
their battle honours borne on.
Old men march and a bugle plays,
in memory of the fallen.

Additional Hints (No hints available.)



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