TANKS IN THE ARENA.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3332, 10 November 1919, Page 2

TANKS IN THE ARENA.

The great ‘Stadium at Rome, the scene of gladiatorial combats has been. modernised by tank denionstrations. The occasion was a fete for the benefit of the Italian Red Cross, honoured by the presence of the entire Royal Family. The display was opened by a light tank which came into the amphitheatre over the wall, to the wild enthusiasm of the crowd, this was followed, by a second and similar tank, the two carrying out such war exercises as the destruction of barbedWare entanglements, and Walls, the passage of deep trenches, and climbs over tree -trunks. The climax was reached when lthree old omnibuses were placed on the ground as victims of these modern instruments Of W2ll‘. In less time than it takes to describe it the omnibuses had been ground to matchwood. After the light tanks, at -big, squat, heavy Fiat tank gave an exhibition of destruction on a larger scale. After going through various evolutions, ‘the tank made for the exit, but swinging to one side as it cleared the door, itchai-gefd the wall, bringing it down, then climbed over the ruins (and disappeared.