Maoris Turn Captured Gun To Good Use

Taranaki Daily News, 26 August 1942, Page 4

Maoris Turn Captured Gun To Good Use

N.Z.E.F. Official War Correspondent.

Artillerymen surprised by un vmventional methods

Rec. 9.50 p.m. Western Desert, Aug. u>. Well forward in the New Zealand positions is a captured Italian 75millimetre gun which Maori infantryrnen are using daily with success against the enemy. "Hey, digger, how do you use this thing?" the Maoris asked the artillerymen when they were attracted by the gun's passibilities. The gun was without sights, so the artillerymen suggested the , Maoris should aim it by looking through | the barrel. The Maoris did not know how to open the breech, and when this was explained they were left to their own devices. Much to everybody's amazement. soon afterwards the gun fired, and it has continued to flre at intervals ever since. .The Maoris' methods show total dis~ regard of almost all the principles of artillery fire. T \ shell is just shoved into the breech without being rammed home. a few handfuls of cordite are placed in a cartridge case and, when this is in position and the breech is closed, the gun is ready to fire. With a long piece of telephone wire attached to the trigger, the Maoris retire to slit trenches. A sharp t a' on the wire, and the gun fires. If the range is short an extra handful of cordite is added to the next charge— if too long, the charge is reduced. By this method the Maoris have harassed the enemy in forward positions at a range of about 1000 yards.