The Howitzer ‘short gun’ sFH was taken during the Battle of Amiens in 1918 and made it to Ballarat in 1920. 

It took five months of work this year from Sovereign Hill and Miller Brothers specialists to get it to display quality and grants from the City of Ballarat and the state government made it possible.

Mayor John Philips said the Ballarat link to the gun made it an even more interesting addition to city’s military history. 

“The German front line was overrun by Lt Gen John Monash’s troops. The battalions represented here as well were part of the Ballarat battalions,” he said. 

“When they were overran (the Germans)  didn’t have time to pull (the guns) out. 

The gun – along with two other Howitzers and another German weapon – has been with the council since 2012. 

Cr Philips said it would be great to get the other three restored and on display to form a makeshift battery. 

“To have them here (on display) in Ballarat would be a real point of difference,” he said. 

“We’re very pleased and proud to be acknowledging captured pieces such as these.” 

He said during his speech to the crowd of Army and RSL representatives, historians and military experts that continued restoration work should happen but was reliant on funding. 

The Howitzer will be displayed in the North West section of the Lake Wendouree gardens until early next year.