THE BIG KRUPPS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1296, 12 September 1914, Page 4

THE BIG KRUPPS.

Tim 16-incli guns being ntr-d by tho Germans seem to be playing an important part in the campaign. ’These weapons, as was stated in a cable message a few days ago. have probably been constructed secretly. They must be quite- short guns, designed for high ainde fire. No particulars are available their dimensions or weight, but thov must be enormously heavy and difficult to transport. The projectile of a 16-inch. Krupp gun. however, weighs over 20001 b, and the guns may have, a range of over a dozen miles. Some idea of tho weight of the guns ran he got by comparison with, other field pieces. The Germans have an 8.26inch field mortar, which weighs five tons. As the weight of a gun ami its mounting increases as the cube ol its calibre, the 16-inch gnu, must weigh more, than seven times as much, or over 85 tons. A gnu of such enormous weight can only ' be transported in parts, some of which are of enormous weight. ’The barrel would probably weigh about 8 tons, and the difficulties of transport are enormous. In some mock siege manoeuvres a few years ago the French had the. greatest' difficulty in handling a 10.7-ineh howitzer, which weighed 22 tons complete, and which separated into four parts for transport. The Germans may have achieved the remarkable feat which they are credited. hut in the absence of more positive evidence it appears very doubtful.