MURDEROUS RAIN OF LEAD.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 3, Issue 253, 4 December 1914, Page 1 (Supplement)

MURDEROUS RAIN OF LEAD.

SHRAPNEL AND ITS DEADLY WORK.

There can be no doubt that it is tho artillery rather than the infantry which is playing the most deadly part in the present conflict. The arms which are principally employed in the former branch of the service are the machine guns, which pour a terrifying rain of lead into the opposing forces, and the weapon which hurls tbe shell known «.s shrapnel, probably th e most destructive arm in light artillery. The injuries or the greater portion of the wounded have been inflicted by the bullets flung hither and thither when this missile explodes. Shrapnel receivers it.s name from General H. Shrapnel, who invented the .shell during tho Peninsular War. This ingenious artillerist conceived the idea of filling a hollow shell with small metalic odds and ends, and providing it with an explosive charge. When the latter was detonated, naturally the contents wore scattered in all directions. Tho shrapnel, however, has undergone considerable improvement in recent years, its deadliness and destrwtiveness having been accentuated to a remarkable degree, says 'Navy ami Army Illustrated.' Ita design is s omewhat \ar : ed. for while under certain condition.- all requirements are fulfilled by the shell strll.Uig tho ground and exploding under iontact, at others it is neeos.arv to*cause the shell to explode while in mid-air and at a predetermined range. Tho modern shrapnel sho'l is a steel cylinder, which is packed with bullets, and carries the explosive charge. The shell n capped with either a percussion or time fuse. The former explodes when it comes into contact with a solid object, and is used extensively against approaching infantry, while the latter, the time fuse, can be set to burst practically at any range, and is essentially useful for attacking entrenched infantry. Well-timed shrapnel is capable of inflicting far greater injuries upon entrenched troops than any other missile, and at the same time is most unnerving. A third variety of shrapnel in common use :s that 'employed against approaching cavalry. The murderous effect of shrapnel is enhanced by the fact that not only are tho bullets "contained in the shell driven with terriffic force in the desired direction, but the steel case itself is broken into small pieces by the bursting charge. While the bullets inflict clean, circular injuries, the jagged pieces of metal of the pulverised case tear gaping wounds. At the same time it is capable of wrecking widespread destruction on buildings, because the shell explodes with great tury.