Guns without ammunition

Press, 20 February 1986, Page 29

Guns without ammunition

PA Hamilton Hamilton’s 4th Medium Battery - New Zealand’s only heavy weaponry unit — has run out of ammunition for its guns.

The unit has New Zealand’s only 5.5 in guns which are the heaviest long-range firepower held by the army.

Three of the 10 weapons bought in 1951 are still working. But the last rounds of ammunition for the heavy guns were used during Army exercises at Waiouru recently.

An Army public relations officer, Major Mike Wicksteed, confirmed the unit’s plight.

He said a Government defence review was under way to decide if more ammunition would be bought for the guns or whether replacement 155 mm weapons could be bought. “Alternatively, the Government may decide we do not need such a weapon,” Major Wicksteed said.

Major Bob Jenkins, officer in charge of the battery, said he could not comment on the unit’s situation.

“All I can say is that we will have to wait until the review is published, and that should be later this year.”