ARTILLERY OF TO-DAY

Ellesmere Guardian, Volume LXI, Issue 16, 27 February 1940, Page 5

ARTILLERY OF TO-DAY

BREN-GUN CARRIERS

FAST AND EFFICIENT

"The army's running shoes." In these words an English writer describes how the Bren-gun carriers

have become the cavalry of to-day. Modern field guns of all calibres, save the largest, are almost as mobile as modern motor-cars, thanks to the development of outsize pneumatic tyres and of ballbearings, as well as of caterpillar tracks and haulage tractors.

"Light guns are naturally the most mobile of all, and a weapon of particular significance and interest is the Bren-gun carrier. This has aptly been dubbed the 'greyhound' of the modern army, and the reason for the name is soon apparent when the carrier is "observed in action. It consists of a small armoured frame on long, low tracks, with the thin muzzle of a Bren-gun protruding from a loophole at the front. It enables those most efficient light weapons

of modern warfare, the Bren-guns to be pushed forward rapidly in fire-swept areas. They are the nearest substitute for cavalry that has been produced by this mechanical age.

"The favourite big gun of the modem army combines howitzer, that is catapult, action, with long range and high rate of fire. It travels on pneumatic carriages and is drawn by a six-wheeled tractor. Should the outfit become bogged, there is a winch on the tractor to haul it clear.

"Perhaps the most mobile of all modern guns is the Bin. howitzerfiring a 2001b. shell—which is actually capable of speeds in excess of 20 m.p.h. It is mounted on pneumatic tyres .and towed by tractors.

"Then there is a very fast antitank gun which is drawn by a light tractor or by a 15-cwt truck. All these weapons are singularly graceful in appearance by contrast with their heavy forefathers, and they should certainly contribute to that 'war of movement' which is the dream of many strategists.

"There can be no doubt that they will facilitate rapid advances and as rapid retreats, and will not fall so easily into the hands of the

enemy."