April 4, 2012
A howitzer gun that saw action in Vietnam alongside Australian troops will be installed at the Burnett War Museum as a permanent reminder of the conflict.
Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare announced today that 38 M2A2 howitzers would be preserved at RSLs and historical organisations around Australia.
The Burnett War Museum was offered the opportunity to tender for one of the guns in 2011, and has been fund-raising since then to be able to purchase it.
Museum spokesman Russell Cook said the howitzer would cost the Museum about $4000 plus the cost of re-locating it from Puckapunyal in Victoria.
The M2A2 Howitzer, which fired 115mm rounds, provided service to Australia for more than 40 years, providing close artillery fire support to the Australian Army. They were towed by trucks, lifted by helicopters and even moved manually by soldiers for short distances.
The Defence Department said the recipients of the 38 guns had to be approved by the United States Government under its International Traffic in Arms Regulations.
Mr Cook said the Burnett War Museum had signed all the necessary US paperwork and he was now looking forward to the howitzer’s arrival.
“We don’t expect to get the gun for nearly 12 months,” he said.
“Once we get its serial numbers, we will investigate its background so that we can install a plaque detailing its history.
“We will then hold an official unveiling ceremony and invite Vietnam veterans to take part.”
