A new video appears which show the Syrian rebels showing off a rather unusual bit of weaponry: A World War 2-era German Howitzer. The video, which was released by Shaam News Network, members of the Islamic Front are shown loading and firing what appears to be a 10.5 cm leFH 18, a 105 mm light howitzer that entered service with Germany’s armed forces in 1935.
It remains unclear how they were able to require it but according to Nic R. Jensen Jones, an expert with Armament Research Services: “The Syrian army had a few in service. The rebels probably stole it from the army or maybe a museum.”
This isn’t the first time World War II-era weapons have been used in Syria’s conflict. In August 2012, rebel group Al-Tawhid Brigade released a video that appeared to show a large number of StG 44s in their possession.
