12 Pdr gun in Malta, Gibraltar defenses

[Dili]

Was this gun a dual propose weapon or it was an anti invasion/anti ship weapon?

Any more info welcome like range, round weight, photo of the mount etc.

[Knouterer]

Towards the end of the 19th century, it was decided to clear out the jumble of guns (including various muzzleloaders) then constituting the coast defences, and replace them with four types of gun:

9.2 inch for counterbombardment, i.e. against enemy battlecruisers and such which might try to attack ports (as happened in December 1914 at Hartlepool);
6 inch against bombardment at medium range by light cruisers;
4.7 inch against attempts to break down naval obstructions (booms) or block the entrance to a port or harbour;
12-pounders (3 inch) against attack (possibly by night) by torpedo craft or similar.

All four types were still in service by the start of WWII, but the 4.7in and the 12pdrs were by then considered obsolete and the latter was about to be replaced by a twin six-pounder with a high rate of fire.

According to Maurice-Jones' History of Coast Artillery in the British Army, at the outbreak of war in 1939 there were still six 12-pounders on Malta, but none at Gibraltar.

During WWI, some 12-pounder coastal guns were used as AA guns, on a different mount (the standard mount allowed only 20° elevation), but they were soon replaced by the 3-inch 20 cwt AA gun, which was designed for the purpose.

[Dili]

I checked my data and there were only 4 12pdr but HAA in Gibraltar (my data is tentatively for 10 June 1940 ) so not coastal defense there like you said.

I have 4 12pdr in Malta and elsewhere in Mediterranean this is said to 12cwt version

In this forum in a topic the model in Alexandria in Nov 1941 is said to be: Q.F.12pdr-12cwt Mk.Ixx on Mtgs.Q.F. 12pdr.Mk.I.

[Andy H]

Hi

Further to Knouterer's early post, the same publication he quotes states on Pg246 "During 1941 additional guns were mounted at:-2 x 12Pdr at Bogebba and a further 2 at Delimara"
He then mentions on Pg250 2 further 12Pdrs at Alexandria and Haifa respectively.

Regards

Andy H

[Dili]

Thanks Andy.