N.Z. FORCES NEAR ORSOGNA

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24151, 10 January 1944, Page 6

N.Z. FORCES NEAR ORSOGNA

NEW YEAR GREETINGS BY ARTILLERY SHELLBURSTS OUTLINE LETTERS (Official War Correspondent N.Z.E.F.) DIVISIONAL HQRS., January 4. “Happy New Year, Fritz,” spelled out nearly 100 guns in the clear, frosty air, as in 17 minutes of firing more than 5000 high-explosive shells crashed down on to the snowclad ridges round Orsogna yesterday. The New Zealand Artillery sent this heartiest of New Year greetings to the enemy troops, but it is doubtful whether the Germans appreciated the spirit behind the sentiment expressed. The shoot was the result of some days’ careful planning, and it was a tribute to the good staff work and careful gunnery that not a shell was wasted on an unprofitable area. As the New Year approached, it was decided that a suitable message should be sent over by 25<-pounders. Subsequent planning fitted the message to areas normally covered by our artillery concentrations. As a result four ridges on which the enemy was known to be in maximum strength-were selected as a signboard, and the required tasks were plotted. , Then came the blizzard of January 1. The shoot had been arranged to take place at 8.30 that morning, and at that time, in spite of the snow, rain, and chill wind, our guns were ready to fire. It was realised, however, that the enemy would certainly be under cover, so timeliness was sacrified for efficiency. The following day was bright anjd clear, with the selected ridges gleaming under a fresh mantle of snow. Yesterday dawned sunny. Punctually at 9.15 a.m. the batteries opened up on the first letter. On traces supplied to each regiment the cheery-four-word greeting was marked out in a number of different colours. The colours indicated which part of each letter each regiment was to fire. For example, the letter H for Harry might have its left upright outlined in blue ink, its crosspiece in red, and its right-hand upright in green and black. Letters 500 Yards High A minute’s gunfire was devoted to each letter—and each letter was 500 yards high. , . The first word, “Happy,” sprawled itself in regular hammering “lifts” across the white face of that first ridge, covering an area 2000 yards long, and everybody was pleased except the gentlemen on the receiving end. Never has it been so aptly demonstrated that it is more blessed to give than to receive. Then the guns moved to the next slope, and the second word, “new,” blasted across the ridge as by Hercules wielding a giant punch—a black pattern of shellbursts against the snow extending for 1500 yards right through the objective, “Year” covered an area of 1600 yards, while “Fritz” which fell on a ridge behind Orsogna, was calculated to flatten anything along its 1800 yards length. During the shelling the pretty, snowcrowned town presided over the ceremony like a traditional Christmas postcard village. The efficiency of this artillery contribution to the festive season had to be seen to be believed. During the delivery of the message, any man so unwise as to stand in an area nearly half a mile wide by over four miles in length would be lucky to escape unscathed. Widespread Destruction The destructive power of concentration is not limited to the immediate vicinity of each individual shellburst. Flying fragments cover a wide area, and the perfect fragmentation of 25pounder high explosive shells is one of the main reasons for the success of the guns. Unfortunately the “greeting” was marred as a spectacle by the presence on the “billboards” of black tree stumps, previous shellholes and earthworks, which rather spoilt the appearance of the finished legend. There is a strong probability that no member of the enemy forces can really afford to get into such a position as would permit him to admire the work. The Luftwaffe also appears to have found more pressing engagements elsewhere. “We really wanted something like that to relieve our feelings after all that snow,” commented one gunner, “But I hope that if Fritz returns the compliment he will make it short.” So far, however, Fritz has not produced a single “heil”—only odd punctuation marks.