A BARBAROUS PRACTICE.
LEGLESS MACHINE-GUXNEHS. The Petrograd correspondent of the Morning Posb is responsible for the statement recently cabled that Germany is using legless machine-gunners who are unable to escape. Byway of proving his statement lie adds that many have been found dead beside their machine guns. Tho message recalls the many stories which reached us, not so very far back, of the German method of chaining her machine gunners to their weapons for a similar motive to that which, is supposed to have prompted the employment of legless gunners. In- an article entitled "The Modern Machine Gun," written by Captain Henri Caroe,, of tho French army, and published ia La Revue de? Deux Mondes, reference is made to this barbarous practice. Although tho writer quotes verified in- • stances in which men were actually found chained to their guns,, he explains that some German machine guns are supplied with chain i to permit of thesri being carried by hand. The fact resultcd_ in "somewhat hasty conclusions" being drawn as to the gunner having : been chained to his gun. "The reality," ! adds the writer, "is simpler and leas i dramatic. Nevertheless, there have been several examples of this brutal custom, i In the Wood of Fricourt, carried by the English during the combined offensive, : a German machine gunner "was "found < fastened to his gun'by by the waist, dying of exhaustion and '. thirst, having been completely without > ,w»ter (or tore*, dap. And at tfcitlwtUj
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Taranaki Daily News, 26 March 1917, Page 5
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242A BARBAROUS PRACTICE. Taranaki Daily News, 26 March 1917, Page 5
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