MODERN WEAPONS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 89, 17 April 1939, Page 9

MODERN WEAPONS.

WELLINGTON DISPLAY.

MECHANISED WARFARE.

IMPRESSIVE MANOEUVRES,

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON, Sunday.

An opportunity of viewing modern war weapons on wheels was given the Wellington public yesterday afternoon, a field battery, eix Bren gun carriers, motorised Vickere guns, Lewis guns on motor cycles, and mobile anti-aircraft unite being used in an action on the Trentham range. A full-dress rehearsal of the display was held in the morning, when showery weather provided active-service conditions.

Arrangements were made to accommodate the public mid-way down the range, and the motor cyclists with their Lewis guns, and four Viekers gun teams on two trucks, advanced from the rear and opened fire on targets placed on the hillside. The shooting was good, some of the groups of target* being completely wiped out. As soon ae the maciiine-gune had retired the Bren gun carriers came into action at high speed and opened fire.

After four magazines had been emptied by each gun the crews dismounted and fired another four from the ground, tripods, the carriers heading for a safe position at a pace that made them seem exceedingly unsafe for their drivers. While the Bren gune were doing good work against the "enemy" on the hillside a gas shell exploded near them and the gunners donned their gas masks to the tune of a gas alarm.

The sth Battery next took the field and went right up the range to the butts, where an enclosure was roped off for the general public. The two' diepatch riders on motor cycles investigated the hilly country behind the butts and .the battery set out to do some cross-country work.

The next stage of the demonstration was probably the most interesting of the' eeries as the Bren carriers gave an excellent demonstration of travelling at speed acroes flat country and of climbing over difficult ground. After this stage had been completed the vehicles moved back to the middle of the cange and the field guns were mounted on beach platforms.

The Bren fjun carriers, which were concealed in different areas, then moved out ae tanks attacking a battery. The battery promptly opened fire on the tanke as they approached through a smoke-screen prepared by a party of engineers.