"18 pounder QF gun in Spain?" Topic

Another field gun question for the experts:

Was the 18 pounder QF gun actually in Spain?

Perhaps the Soviets sold old captured guns from the RCW?

Looking at Bob Cordery's book, the 18 pdr QF gun was not deployed in Spain.

Thank you. Nick!

Any other responses?

Surely, Bob's wonderful reference is not alone?

His is a quickly accessible reference, and lists all the weapons used by both sides.

I genuinely have no idea, if anyone can show me a photo of one in Spain, I'll be convinced. Tbh though, one old field gun with spoked wheels looks much like another, so I can't imagine anyone is going to complain if you use one.

Bob's book lists the British 4.5" howitzer, contemporary of the 18pdr QRF. You can read that either way. Either that it would be odd to record one and not the other, but also odd that one got there and the other didn't.

Perhaps the 18-pdr were functional, as I believe the 4.5" howitzers bought from the Soviets with Spanish gold were worn out and barely serviceable on receipt?

Anyone here have the Spanish reference on artillery in the SCW? The Spanish authors might have additional references found since the 1980s publication and 1993 republication of Ultima Cruzada?

I'm not sure Bob did a lot of new additional research for the 2017 edition?

Jeff,
I messaged Bob on Facebook, maybe he will join in and add his expertise.

Jeff,
I just checked Hooten's book. He does not mention the 18pdr either.

All, to quote directly from Bob Cordery this morning on Facebook.

" there is some resemblance between the 18pdr and the 105mm gun/howitzer supplied by Vickers to the Spanish army, which accounts for some of the claims that they were used. The gun carriages came from the same design lineage which may account for the confusion."