Ok people, no minis today, but a bit of History of Malta. I'm sure you know about the Knights of St John, but did you know the British had built a series of forts against the Italians at the end of the 19th century? Though most of them are now destroyed, there is one you have to visit if you go there: Fort Rinella. Built between 1878 and 1886, he could be considered as small, with only a garrison of 1 company... But, it was the home for one 100t Amstrong gun, with a range of about 6.5 km... The fort was designed to sustain a heavy bombardment from the sea, while shooting back at an impressive rate of 1 shot every six minutes... The shell weighted more than 1T! You can see this gun at the fort, and trust me it's worth the visit.
Pas de figs aujourd'hui, mais un peu d'histoire de Malte, sortant des sempiternels Hospitaliers. Les Anglais on tpas mal fortifie l'ile au 19e siecle pour contrer la menace italienne. Si la plupart des forts ont disparu, il reste celui-ci: Fort Rinella. Il a ete construit dans un seul but: abriter un gigantesque canon Amstrong de 100T. Ce canon, toujours visible, pouvait tirer un obus toutes les 6 minutes jusqu'a 6.5km. Ouaip, ca fait peur quand meme, surtout quand on sait que l'obus pesait plus d'1T.
It can't be used, but still impressive. The fort is being restored by the Malta living History organization, and, people working there are dressed as British soldiers, drilling and practising. You can even get a demo of shooting firearms, from the matchlock to the Martini. Living history indeed. We even had a misfire from the matchlock.
Le fort est desormais entre les mains d'une association maltaise pour le restaurer, et au cours de la visite, vous aurez droit a des guides en uniforme anglais, et a une demonstration d'armes a feu, allant de l'arquebuse au Martini. On a meme eu droit a un misfire de l'arquebuse. Fallait etre severement burne pour recharger son arme devant une charge de cavalerie, je vous le dis.
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Goodness me, what a beast! Looks like a great day out too.
ReplyDeleteThat is a very interesting fort. The nearby film sets are very interesting as well (used in Troy) if you manage to peak over the fence.
ReplyDeleteRegards,
Matt
Indeed, I took some pictures from the studio: there was a pirate ship of some sort, and the crew. Very interesting
DeleteCa donne envie d'y aller...
ReplyDeleteIt's remarkable how many forts have guns which were never used. My wife and I visited the Suommelina Fortress in Helskini a few years ago. The Russians captured it by an overland attack on frozen ice in 1808. In 1854, the Royal Navy and French Navy bombarded it during the Crimean War. Because the fort had only smoothbore cannon, the defenders did not have the range to shoot back at the bombarding ships. The fort now has breechloading rifled guns, but these were isntalled after 1858 and were never fired in anger.
ReplyDeleteDisuasion before time?
DeleteWhat a strange looking gun, thanks for the pics!!!
ReplyDeleteimpressionnant le canon
ReplyDeletePourquoi le canon ressemble t il à un sucre d'orge ....?
ReplyDeleteC'est le camouflage maltais, tout simplement. Ca n'a rien de fantaisiste, c'est juste que les couleurs tournent au soleil.
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