An Honored Foe: German Field Artillery in Merced, CA

This piece sits in honored retirement in front of the Merced Veterans Memorial Building at 959 W. Main St.

The weapon is a 10.5 cm leFH 16 ("leichte Feldhaubitze 16", or Light Field Howitzer 16). This type was produced in Germany during WWI and up until 1937.

The piece appears to be in good condition, but heavy overpaint has obscured any markings. They were used extensively in WWI and in early WWII, so this weapon could be a war prize of either conflict.