THOSE LOST GUNS.
Two batteries of field artillery and also six mval quick-firing 12-ponuders were mentioned in General Buller's despatch as having taken part in the action at the Tugela River, and out of | this number there were t«*n which had to be abandoned. The ordinary tield gun employed in the campaign is the 15-pounder, with which cordite is used. Each gtin is horsed with six horses, and a supply of ammunition is kept in the limbers, the reserve of ammunition being carried in waggons, which are kept in the rear until required to replenish the liml>ers. The guns did not open fire. As soon as the guns come into action the horses are at once le tired to ths roar for safety, and are kept out of range. There would thus be a temporary supply of ammunition ready with each gun when it fell into the hands of the enemy. The operation of disabling a 15-pounder is very simply effected by unshipping the breech-block, and it is highly protmble that the guns were in this way rendered useless to the enemy before being abandoned.
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Bibliographic details
Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 2293, 5 January 1900, Page 2
Word Count
185THOSE LOST GUNS. Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 2293, 5 January 1900, Page 2
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