WAS IT GUNFIRE?

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21192, 15 August 1940, Page 7

WAS IT GUNFIRE?

EXPLOSIONS IN BRITAIN EXAMINATION BY EXPERTS [(United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Aug. 15, 11 a.m.) LONDON, Aug. 14 Enquiries disclosed that there is still no confirmation that the explosions which occurred on the southeast coast yesterday were caused by shells. Pieces of projectiles which had been found are being examined by experts. “Big Bertha” Recalled Suggestions that the Germans are using long-range guns set up on French soil to shell parts of the south coast of Britain bring no surprise. Germany used large guns of the “Big Bertha” type against Paris in the Great War. and was expected by experts, particularly when France collapsed, that she would use them again—this time on Britain.

Paris was shelled from a distance of 76 miles from March until August, 1918. In that time a total of 367 projectiles fell in the city. Deaths numbered only 256, but many people were injured. More important, however, was the effect of this shelling upon the morale of the Parisians. Hundreds of thousands fled from the city in fear. “Big Bertha” was 120 feet long and wegihed 200 tons. The shell weighed 2651 b., compared with the 3801 b. shell of the British battery fortress 9.2in. gun.

Guns of this type could not fire more than about 30 rounds before they were worn out. Rate of fire was slow and accuracy was poor. To fire across the English Channel, especially from Calais to Dover, however, the Germans will require guns of only about one-third the range of the “Big Bertha” class.