A CRANE has been used to return a restored World War I German trench mortar onto a plinth overlooking Speers Point Park.
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Lake Macquarie City Council sent the 25cm Minenwerfer to a specialist restoration company in Sydney last November to repair corrosion to the artillery piece and its base.
The restoration project included removal of rust from the gun and other parts, treatment of the entire mortar with a protective coating, and construction of a new support system to reinforce its badly corroded base.
Lake Macquarie City Council integrated planning manager Wes Hain said the restoration took longer than initially planned due to the complexity and extent of the work required.
“Restoring such a rare artefact was a painstaking and challenging task, but the result is certainly worthwhile,” Mr Hain said.
“Considering the fact this mortar has been outdoors, exposed to the elements for more than 100 years, it remains in excellent shape.”
Australian troops captured the mortar during the Battle of Amiens in France in 1918.
It was shipped back to Australia as a war trophy in 1920 and has been a landmark of Speers Point Park since then.
The restoration project was supported by the Boolaroo Speers Point RSL sub-branch and funded by council, with supporting grants from the NSW Community War Memorials fund and the Commonwealth Saluting Their Service Commemorations program.
