THE SECRET OF THE FRENCH 75'S.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 22 June 1916, Page 2

THE SECRET OF THE FRENCH 75' S.

THE HUNS CANNOT DISCOVER IT.

Now that the great attacks have begun , • again in France, the famous French, gun, the " 75," will be one of the chief ' r. weapons enabling the Allies' to drive the Germans back. -.' It has often been asked, " Why, when the Germans capture a French 75, can they not learn its secret ?" ' Well, the "real secret in the famous gun is the buffer, or " recoil absorber," (> attached to it. When the gun is fired, instead of jumping back, its position ' remains unchanged, owing to the in- ~ genious buffer that is used. i

The buffer really consists of a chamber containing compressed air and glycerinV. ' \ But the Germans cannot discover the \ secret, even if a gun does fall i»to their hands, since the opening of 4?e buffer causes the compressed air to escape, anJ the whole secret lies in the exact pro- ; portions of air and glycerine. So steady is a " 75 " that a glass of water can hi placed on the wheel and will not be spfl* when the gun is fired.