Buried cache of historically significant weapons found
A long buried cache of 19th and 20th century weapons has been found buried in the ground at Vancouver's PNE (Pacific National Exhibition) grounds in Vancouver, B.C. Construction crews uncovered several MG08/15's as well as a couple of muzzle loading British 9 Pounders and a WWI German howitzer. The theory is that when the military took over the grounds in 1942 to process Japanese citizens before sending them to internment camps they buried the weapons that had been there for some time. Why? That has been lost to history. Hopefully Seaforth Highlander will jump on here with more info as the weapons appear to be currently stored at the Seaforth Highlander Armoury. Please read more here: 1870s cannons, First World War machine-guns unearthed at PNE | Vancouver Sun
There's a history of buried weapons there. I was working the military pavilion in 1981, located at the back door to the big coliseum. We had a Grizzly armored vehicle there with a .50 and a 1919A4 mounted for display. During the night time we had to remove the weapons and take them to the police station for security because in 1980 the weapons had been stolen and not recovered. Two years later a gardener found then buried in the flower garden along the side of the building.
Something similar happened in the U.S. Freeman Field in Indiana was a collection and evaluation point for enemy aircraft. After the war in 1945, a public show was put on with they captured aircraft and some U.S. planes. When the field was suddenly closed in 1946, the flyable planes were flown out to museums. Some of the rest were trucked out, but many of the remaining aircraft were simply buried on the property. There have been expeditions to dig and find them. Here is a video assembly of film clips from the 1945 air show. Most of the German aircraft types are represented. Notice the four-engine Junkers JU290 Amerikabomber at the beginning:
(This was shot in Paris.)
Bob
Last edited by Bob Womack; 05-07-2025 at 06:03 PM.
"It is said, 'Go not to the elves for counsel for they will say both no and yes.' "
Frodo Baggins to Gildor Inglorion, The Fellowship of the Ring
Buried with dozers after the dozers flattened them out wasn't it?
“There are invisible rulers who control the destinies of millions. It is not generally realized to what extent the words and actions of our most influential public men are dictated by shrewd persons operating behind the scenes.”
9 Pounders and a WWI German
PM
