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WW1 German pistol appeal after firearms amnesty find | WW1 German pistol appeal after firearms amnesty find |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A museum is appealing for information about a World War One German pistol handed in during a firearms amnesty. | A museum is appealing for information about a World War One German pistol handed in during a firearms amnesty. |
The 1911 Luger pistol, given to Wiltshire Police, is believed to have been taken as a souvenir during the 1917 tank advance at Cambrai in France. | The 1911 Luger pistol, given to Wiltshire Police, is believed to have been taken as a souvenir during the 1917 tank advance at Cambrai in France. |
Police have donated the weapon to the Tank Museum in Bovington, Dorset. | Police have donated the weapon to the Tank Museum in Bovington, Dorset. |
Curator David Willey said: "We'd love to trace the family that it belonged to so we can perhaps find the records of the man who brought it home." | Curator David Willey said: "We'd love to trace the family that it belonged to so we can perhaps find the records of the man who brought it home." |
The 1908-model Pistole Parabellum, commonly known as a Luger, has a leather holster with the inscription: "Souvenir of the Big Advance at Cambrai November 1917. To Alice from HUD, Jany 21 - 18." | The 1908-model Pistole Parabellum, commonly known as a Luger, has a leather holster with the inscription: "Souvenir of the Big Advance at Cambrai November 1917. To Alice from HUD, Jany 21 - 18." |
Museum curator David Willey said: "The Battle of Cambrai on 20 November was a hugely important moment in the history of the Royal Tank Regiment and is still celebrated today. | Museum curator David Willey said: "The Battle of Cambrai on 20 November was a hugely important moment in the history of the Royal Tank Regiment and is still celebrated today. |
"It was the first ever large-scale and effective use of tanks in warfare, with almost 400 fighting tanks that advanced without any prior bombardment so the enemy had no warning." | "It was the first ever large-scale and effective use of tanks in warfare, with almost 400 fighting tanks that advanced without any prior bombardment so the enemy had no warning." |
After advancing for about six miles, the British were halted and later the Germans launched a counter-attack. | After advancing for about six miles, the British were halted and later the Germans launched a counter-attack. |
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"This gun was probably captured by a British soldier during that incredible advance," Mr Willey said. | "This gun was probably captured by a British soldier during that incredible advance," Mr Willey said. |
"To be able to identify the soldier would be wonderful, and means we have another story to tell to our visitors." | "To be able to identify the soldier would be wonderful, and means we have another story to tell to our visitors." |
The model was the German Army's most widely issued gun during World War One, when more than two million were produced. | The model was the German Army's most widely issued gun during World War One, when more than two million were produced. |
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