TURKISH GUNS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 266, 6 August 1919, Page 6

TURKISH GUNS

INTERESTING WAR RELICS

HOW THEY WERE TAKEN

Amongst tho captured enemy guns that have reached New Zealaml iys trophies are two' with a particularly interesting history. "On March 26, 1917," states the official account of their capture, "when an attack was being mado on Gaza. (Palestine), the New Zealanders came under heavy shrapnel fire from four Runs north of filie town. On petting into close touch with the enemy, Major J. Summerville, D.5.0., who was in command of the right flank of the New Zea< landers, realised that the Turks were holding on to their position, in the hope of 6aving the two Runs, which were only fifty yards behind them. With sixteen men of the Wellington Mounted Rifles' he attacked immediately, and took the guns with the loss of only ono man. Eighteen Turks were lulled near the guns during the attack. "As soon as tho party commenced to remove the guns the Turks opened a> fueilade from the high ground towards tho town. Sergeant S. Rouse, of the Wellington Mounted Rifles, got some men to ihelp him turn one of the guns round, and fired two rounds of the gun into a house at a range of about one thousand yards. The hostile fire at once ceased, and 47 Turks came out and surrendered. The gun was then drawn behind a house, and the onemy, from another house about a hundred yards away, commenced sniping at the team. Again the gun was used against 'is owners. It was turned round, sighted through the barrel, and a. round fired into tho house, the result of which was that one Turkish officer , and two men were captured from the much-damaged building.

"Before the Now Zeal&ndew withdrew, two limber teams were sent up by the New Zealand Maehine-Gun Squadron, and the guns wero pulled back behind the British lines." Sergeant Bonce was awarded the {Military Medal for "conspicuous gallantry and devotion todjity" during this engagement.