GENERAL

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 84, 13 April 1915, Page 8

GENERAL

LIFE OF OUR GUNS.

There is a good deal of misconception about the life of our big naval gnus '.writes a war expert). An idea exists that after firing a comparatively small number of rounds the guns are useless. This is not altogether the ease. At one time, when cordite was first introduced, the explosive had a. most injurious effect upon the grooving of the guns, and after firing some eighty rounds of full charges the gun deteriorated to the extent ol beings inaccurate, ft could of course have continued service, but would have gradually become worthless, owing to tlie destruction of the grooving, and .perhaps, also to some risk of being dangerous. It eeeame necessary, under these circumstances, to replace the guns by others, the old weapon being sent back to the factory for retailing, To a very large extent this deteriorating effect of cordite has been overcome, and our guns now have a very much larger life. At the same time, the actual life of a heavy naval gun is still numbered by minutes, ft takes quite twelve months to build the 12 -inch and larger calihred, weapons but in actual use, firing as fast as she could he loaded, it is doubtful whether she would live as many minutes as it talced days to construct her. Ammunition supplies for these monsters is also limited. The -Queen Elizabeth, for instance, probably only carries eighty rounds for each of her 15-inch guns, but she would blaze away at feast £lO, 000 worth of ammunition for each minute' she was engaged in a fleet action.

REGIMENTAL MOTTOES. Almost every regiment in the British army has its traditions. These are commemorated in various ways, but prohably the most favored method is by the adoption by permission of the authorities, of a suitable badge. The Gordon Highlanders have "Bydaud" for their motto. The Royal Irish Fusileers go into action shouting "Eaugh-a-Ballagh" i"Clear the way"). The Scots Greys'.prefer an English motto, and announce themselves "Second to None". The Marines have a most appropriate text, "Per-mare per terrain" which being interpreted means "by land and sea." All sorts of languages are laid under contribution to provide suitable sentiment, and not even German lias escaped. Indeed', it is asserted that one regiment, the lltb Hussars, lias pleaded with Lord Kitchener to be allowed to change its motto "Tieu and Kest" into English translation of Faithful and Steadfast. One thing tbing, however, is certain. Whatever the motto of the particular regiment may be, it will defend it to the end. whatever that may lead it to.

INDIAN TACTICS. 1 heard (says the military correspondent of the Liverpool "Daily Post") a story yesterday of a wounded private, which is worth repeating, ifml which J will tell, as far as possible, in the man's own words. The hospital surgeon examining him diagnosed a bayonet wound. "German bayonet, of course," sa.td the surgepn. "Xo, sir, Indian," replied the man. "Indian," repeated the surprised surgeon, "how on earth did you come to lie wounded by an Indian:-"' "Well it was this way, sir," said the private. "We were ordered to take a German trench, and when we got there wo found we'd bitten off a bit more than we could chew. Most of us were shot down and the rest of us wcio ready to surrender when wo heard a shout behind us, and when we turned our bonds we saw a mole of black devils with white turbans, who came from goodness knows where, and who tumbled into the trench, and as they tumbled they pulled their bayonets off their rifles, which, as you know, sir, is contrary to regulations, and began to stab down with them at everything that came in their way. Well, I came in their way, and so I got this. Hut, I 'Lord, sir, it was worth a bit of a stick to see bow they handled the Germans j when they'd done with tbem you never saw such a mess in your life. Not quite so tight, Sister, please," remarked the philosophical Tommy to Ids nurse, as she bound up his wound and he turned to light "a ' cigarette, winch, by the way, lie ought not to have done in the presence of a medical officer.