In 1897 the government of the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek (ZAR) purchased four 155mm siege guns made in the Schneider factory in the town of le Creusot, France – three of these were sent to Ladysmith. These were in addition to four 12cm Krupp howitzers imported in 1896. TheCreusots became known to the British as “Long Toms”. They had been extremely sceptical about the possibility of this ordnance being used in field service. Their appearance outside Dundee and then Ladysmith was a rude awakening for the British. The Boers had a Long Tom, a 12cm (4.7
inch) Krupp howitzer and a Maxim machine gun on Gun Hill due east of Ladysmith. These were the closest guns to Ladysmith, together with another Krupp howitzer on Surprise Hill to the north.
inch) Krupp howitzer and a Maxim machine gun on Gun Hill due east of Ladysmith. These were the closest guns to Ladysmith, together with another Krupp howitzer on Surprise Hill to the north.
