THE BABY HOWITZER

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVIII, Issue XLVIII, 12 January 1915, Page 6

THE BABY HOWITZER

BIG SHELL FROM SMALL GUN.

As the war progresses, the London "Daily Express" says, we become more and more aware of the completeness of the German fighting -machine. The huge -howitzers which were used in the reduction of the Belgian forts, were, perhaps, the most surprising feature of the Teuton's artillery equipment. But in many other departments the careful scientific preparation and thought which have been displayed are only, too evident. If the morale of the German troops were but equal to the excellence of their artillery equipment, a different tale might have to -be told of their progress on tne Continent. -One instalment of "Eye-witness'" graphic account of the war contains an allusion to the "minenwurfer," or trench howitzer, "which the Germans are using. "In this quarter," he writes, referring to the sanguinary conflict now in progress on the Lys, "we experienced for the first time in the northern theatre of war the action of the minenwurfer.' " This trench howitzer is another of the productions of Krupps. It is a curious little weapon, but, though small, it is undoubtedly a factor seriously to reckon with in trench fighting. The howitzer , itself is only 3ft cr so long, and -weighs 1201b. Its mounting is a small affair of about 1001b, but it is attached- to a> heavy bed or platform of 9301b dead weight. This complete mass of a little over half a ton is provided with "wheels and a couple of handles, and can readily be transported by two men. Its small size and mobility permit of it being moved - about in the trenches. When in position, the howitzer, with its •bed, is removed from the travelling wheels, and the weapon can then be fired from the ground. The shell, or bomb, which the "minenwurfer" throws is a decided novelty in munitions of war.

The calibre of the howitzer is less than 3in, ibut the shell thrown is a sphere over a foot in diameter, weighing, with its charge of high explosive, close upon 2001b.

To enable the little howitzer to accommodate such a large shell, ian adapter has to be used. The long stem fits into the bore of the "minenwurfer," and a. shorter stem, culminating in a kind of cup, fits into the shell itself, and holds it in position for discharge. When the • howitzer is fired the adapter and- shell are forced out tof ether. The tow are soon separated, owever, the air, forcing its way between them, causing the adapter to fall apart, and to allow the shell to travel on its. way alone. The velocity given to the shell as itleaves the bore of the howitzer is only 230 ft per second. . The lowest elevation employed is 45deg., and at this angle the shell travels a distance of 550 yards, the maximum" range obtainable. The accuracy of fire is said to be very good. Although this range is so small, the shell takes -no less than ten seconds in its flight, and reaches a height of 410 ft. in the air. It is difficult to imagine the feelings of those in the trenches against which the howitzer is operating as they see the large circular shell lobbing towards them. The projectile consists of but a thins steel envelope, the greater part of its 2001b weight consisting of high explosive. Four pounds of dynamite or guncotton are considered sufficient to demolish breastworks' of two or three feet thickness, composed of earth rammed between planks or railway , sleepers. It is not, then, difficult to estimate the destructive powers of such a mas of high explosive falling into the trenches. The effect of ordinary shrapnel shell is obtained 'by the bullets and splinters of the envelope when the shell bursts. With the "minenwurfer" shell the effect is almost entirely explosive. The walls of the shell are too thin to be capable of doing much damage, and it is not in this direction that the effect is expected. When the trenches are less than five or six -hundred yards apart, a shorter range can be obtained by elevating the howitzer to a greater angle than 45deg. At 60deg., for instance, the range would be 470 yards. The shell would then reach a height of 620 ft in the air, and would take 12s seconds to complete the trajectory.

The highest angle at which the "minenwurfer can operate is 80deg. At this elevation the range would be only 190 yards. Nearly a quarter o{ a minute would elapse between the moment of discharge and the instant of the shell falling into the opposing trenches, a maximum height of 800 ft being attained in its journey. One -has but to remember that a crack runner can cover 100 yards in approximately ten seconds to appreciate the slowness with which the shell completes the distance between' the trenches when fired at this high elevation.

"Eye-witness' " narrative does not tell ns what are the actual capabilities of this little howitzer as a" destructive agent. This we have yet to learn. But we are aware that trench-to-trench fighting with rifles and hand grenades has now an added terror in the form of this new and curious kind of small ordnance.*