USEFUL TANK TRAP

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 173, 24 July 1942, Page 6

USEFUL TANK TRAP

WANGANUI DEVICE

TESTED SUCCESSFULLY

A "trap" guaranteed to stop the heaviest tank has been demonstrated successfully. The device, invented by a Wanganui man, is quite simple and can be produced at a low cost.

Looking at some pictures of tanks one night in camp, Sergeant D. A. Holdaway, of Wanganui East, had a sudden idea. He played with the scheme in his mind for a few days and then imparted his idea to his commander, Lieut.-Colonel D. A. C. Lilburne, E.D., for whom he acted as personal driver.

Lieut.-Colonel Lilburne was so impressed with the idea that he created the opportunity for Sergeant Holdaway to carry on with the invention. A working model was made and tested out on Bren-gun carriers with success. Later it was tried out by the Armed Fighting Vehicles School with even greater success on heavy Valentine tanks.

Before joining the Armed Forces, Sergeant Holdaway was managing the motor business of J. Ashcroft, and prior to that was employed as a motor mechanic by H. S. Harraan and Co.. Ltd.. a firm with which he had served his apprenticeship. He has always had an inventive mind and could generally be found in his workshop during week-ends carrying out some idea for the improvement of his motor car or other mechanical instruments. He was a keen oarsman a few years ago, and was a member of the Aramoho Boating Club. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Holdaway, reside in Levin.