BRITISH GUNS ON THE WESTERN FRONT.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 270, 27 April 1917, Page 1 (Supplement)

BRITISH GUNS ON THE WESTERN FRONT.

Perhaps the significant feature of this winter campaign (thoroughly impressed on the enemy with high explosive) is tho increasing strength ot tho Br-tush artillery. The gunners have como into their own (writes Percival Ph'llips, "Daily Express" correspondent on the Western front). Although the infantry may be trench-bound by stress of weather, the batterieu behind them continue their work of destruction night and day, distributing carefully-timed munitions with liberality and accuracy wherever they are likely to do the greatest good. Tho German guns do not lattempt to compete with this steady-outpouring of shell, and tho contrast between the'.r economy and British generosity is not lost on tho men who suffer from tho Latter. They complain that their batteries "let them down."

Wo have had frequent tributes—sincere if unwilling—from the surviving victims of a thorough British barrage, and the latest, proffered by an officer captured in ia recent raidf jg an interesting admission of tho enemy s respect for British gunners and their efficiency. "They know too much," said this officer, whose detachment had been cut up by howitzer shells while on its way to tho trenches that were afterwards wrecked by tho same agents of destruction. "They aro always searching for the weak points in oar defences, and we iavo suffered considerably from the bombardment of roads used by our troops. Wo never thought the British artillery would become such a menace. Tho general policy of the German artillery experts seoms to be to make the most of a limited allotment of munitions. Tnere was a time when Britsh gunners were doled out shells in the same parsimonious manner —scant daily rations for their hungry guns spread carefully over a fixed period like corn in a t'mo of famine —and It is comforting to reflect that all the economy is now on tho other side. There is no need for weighing tho cost of every "shoot." If you could see tho vast, almost incredible, stores of shell safely housed behind every artillery sector, you would realise what tho mun'tion workers of Brtaiu aro dong to help to win tho war.

Tho German desiro for economy is. not due to a scarcity of ammunition. Thctir output, lx)th in Germany and Belgium, has been greatly increased, but tho Sommo offensive of the Allies taught them the vital importance of having great stocks in hand, and with characteristic foresight, they tare endeavouring to cut down the winter expenditure a«s much as possible. This desire is shown in a greater discrimination in the selection of "targets." Last winter tho German b,ittonies ate up shells with the prodigality of a drunken sailor. They flung tons of explosives into empty fields, and sent their assorted missiles wandering aimlessly in a way that could not possibly dr.niage their enemies. It was an orgy of hate without a purpose. Now they calculate the possible effect of each day's shell supply. The gunners p.ro forced to use their "iron ration" carefully. It is an encouraging sign of tho times.

The permanent batteries are not allowed to fire without a definite object, and some of them do not fire at all for days. Such tempting targets as Ypres and Arras continue to receive their expected portion of German shells, for your German gunner is a slavo to routine, and tho bomlwirdment of a city—or the corpse of a citv is not a habit of wluch he can lie easily broken. But even these obvious areas of registraton aro not lashed with the old fury of a year ago. In addition to the "set" displays of gunnery by tho enemy, ho has attempted to enliven our front by irregular spurts of high-velocity shrilling, in which movable guns (on railway mounting) sometimes take part. Tt is rather like a bad boy throwing a few stones through a window and then running away. Punishment always follows. Several days ngo a weapon of this sort dropped a few shells into a Brutish position, and immediately our guns lengthily and exhaustively shelled a Germanheld strip of territory more than s x lime"; as great. The result was profound silenoo thereafter in that particular sector.

Tho snow has greatly hampered the German gunners. It is impossible for them to strengthen battery positions by bnnging up fresh guns, for their tracks are visible from the air ajra'nst the dazzling white of the battlefield For the same reason the enemy's reliefs, have suffered when forced to exrwse themselves on the routes which lend to the trenches. Many art'ficcs for concealing movement are revealed by the frozen snow, wh'ch has la'n on the estern front for more than a week, and the Germans will welcome the thaw which :rivr* them d>ad-brown fields and less publicity under the keen eve.: of oni' air s-outs.

MERCILESS PURSriT

Ti will ncit, however, givo them immunity from the Br't'sli guns. ' as their batteries can be searched with tho some uncanny aceiiraev. nnd tivo dielh: given for one. they will continue to realise tliat <mo scales have 111rnc<l against them. Vn the German gunners aiv excellent—make no mistake ahoet, It. ABr tish artillery officer told mo tho other day tlint, man for man, lie thought. they were efficient as in tip carlv dij's of tlio war: lint, al-ti:fmi-_r 11 tlie inf'<ntr" shows sign-i ''f deteriorat'on /which incroai-o steadily ns llio winter draws to n elo-'.o ) the art.'llcry remains cajiib'o :md effective. NVvert hob'si, it si no the dominant factor on the western front.

Slowlv and stcadilv iho gun-power ol P>ri*l ,: n and lier Ally has been increased, until, to-d.'iv. when new hntterVs and still more h e/er era whig alon r th read- f.oin ib(> svi t.i the front, i'

the most roweiii.l weapon of its k ml in Mi; we'll'. T!m othr div a German Inttal'on in- 'fbiuarl' i's was chased froni 'lie set of d •'<■;-<>i:tto another, and then to a tlrr l. ii en ilesslv pursued «fv Hritish -1>• T • Our frunners will tell you that they h'a>r to elia ;e the Gerrean nrmv in ('• • r'n • wav whin ;;l last tliw have I li'i ch.-nc"'