DEFENCE ARMS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 19, 2 November 1938, Page 5

DEFENCE ARMS

ANTI-AIRCRAFT GUN. • r :) MOST POWERFUL IN WORLD. BRITISH 4.5*1 NCR WEAPON. (United Press Association—Copyright.) (Independent Cable; Service.) (Received This Day,i -9,5 -a.m.) LONDON, November 1.

“Britain has the world’s most powerful anti-aircraft gmfl’b says the report of a Select Committee on the Estimates, which reveals the existent?© ofa 4.5-inch anti-aircraft gun.

“Military circles are surprised to find the - gun mentioned, as they, regarded it as an official secret. ■ •* ' General Goeiing’s newspaper, “National Zeituiig,” v recently stated that ■Germanylrasvaff.46fiY.- : anti-affcraft gun with a ceiling of 26jQP9 feet, and capable of firing 20 shots a minute, a weapon to which foreigners paid special attention,” ; V 7; a . “' : Britain’s gun is. now known to be of a revolutionary design, with a. performance far surpassing the recent 3.7-inch gun, which has a 30,000-foot ceiling, and capable of firing ; 12 shot§ a minute.

OUTPUT OF BREN GUNS. MAXIMUM RATE IN BRITAIN. (Received, This Day, 9.55 a.m.) LONDON, November 1. - rThje Secretary of Stpt© for Tty ar (Mr L. C. Ho re-Bel ish a) said in the House of 'Commons that the production of Bren guns was proceeding at the maximum rate in Britain. If some facts could be revealed there would be- less cause for disturbance in the public mind. AC CELER AT 10 N IN TH £ iQDTP UT. INCREASE IN AIR PERSONNEL. (Received This Day, 1.30,p.m.) LONDON, November 1. In the House of Lords the Marquess of Zetland (Secretary of State, for India) gave the following details of the defence policy. Anti-aircraft guns were being delivered three times as fast as was the case six, months ago, and searchlights at four times tlie rate. More than twice as many “ mountings, for the 3.Tin. and larger anti-aii’craft guns were turned out in the four weeks succeeding September 26 as in the (preceding four weeks. The air defenco personnel on October 1 ivas 2027 officers and 43.,223 .other.-.-', rallies, compared with 663 and 8798 two years ago. A million feet of trenches had been dug and 30,000,000 gak "masks had been distributed during the recent crisis. ,