TURKISH FIELD-WORKS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5384, 29 June 1878, Page 2 (Supplement)

TURKISH FIELD-WORKS.

The Pall Mall Gazette writes :—“Among the most striking feature of the field-works constructed by the Turks during the late war—fortifications which, it may be remarked, have for the most part admirably fulfilled the requirements made of them, the excellence and the extent of the bombproof accommodation provided for the garrisons have been conspicuous. An interesting and detailed description of tho redoubts thrown up for the defence of Plevna was recently given at the United Service Institution by an officer who peisoually inspected them after Osman Pasha had surrendered. The lecturer especially called attention to the ample amount of secure shelter in the form of what he described as ‘ underground barracks ’ provided in all the works. But for the protection from the enemy’s projectiles, more especially from his shells, which was thus afforded to the defenders, these could not possibly have remained in the redoubts under the heavy artillery fire which was concentrated upon them. Before the third unsuccessful attack upon the lines around Plevna, the works were bombarded for five days, not only with field batteries, but also with thirty pieces of heavier siege ordnance; aud such a powerful fire would speedily have rendered any defences unprovided with bombproof accommodation untenable. The fact is that since rifling has given to ordnance an increased range and greater accuracy of fire, and has enabled shells of greater capacity, and consequently more destructive in their effect, to be fired from guns of the same calibre and weight, the provision of secure shelter for the garrison has become imperatively necessary in every field-work against which the attacker can bring artillery into action. "Doubtless this truth is fully recognised by the engineers of our army; but it is rather curious that iu the latest edition of the “ Instruction of Military Engineering” no mention is made of bombproof accommodation, although details, iu other respects very complete, of the construction of field-works are given, while iu the text-books iu use at the military schools the subject is dismissed with a very few words.”