NOVEL DISPLAY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21511, 16 September 1944, Page 6

NOVEL DISPLAY

ARMY CONVOY’S VISIT WEAPONS OFF SECRET LIST In a cabled message frern New York, published last evening. MajorGeneral C. T. Harris was quoted as saying that tire "Bazooka." an American anti-tank gun. was perhaps the most significant development of the war. The "Bazooka." and its British counterpart, the Pint, have only just been removed from the list of secret weapons and the public of Gisborne are fortunate in that next week they will have an opportunity of inspecting these and other weapons comprising an army convoy which is to visit Gisborne.

The convoy, under tlie command of Lieutenant-Colonel G. O'Leary, will arrive at Gisborne on Monday evening. On Tuesday morning it will visit the High School and Intermediate School and at 11.30 a.m. will take up a stand at the Gladstone roadPeel street corner. Shortly afterwards a squadron of Ventura planes will fly over the town in formation and after their departure the welcome will bo accorded to the visitors by the Mayor, Mr N. 11. Bull. Subsequently, the various items of equipment, including a number of weapons captured from the Japanese, will be open to inspection by the public and their working and military purpose will be explained by specially qualified personnel travelling with the convoy. It is pointed cut that the exhibition will have a definite educational value and will provide the public with an entirely novel experience.

Even more spectacular will be a demonstration which has been planned to take place cn and over Waikanae Beach on Tuesday evening in conjunction with units ‘of the Air Force. Here some of the units will be seen in actual operation. Aircraft will give a pyrotechnic display on a modest scale, including the dropping of modern parachute flares, the mobile searchlight will be used to pick out the aircraft, and . a demonstration of the use of tracer bullets probably will be given. Three bands will march at intervals from Gladstone road' to the beach and should add in no small measure to the attractions of the evening.