N.Z.-MADE TANKS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 76, 28 October 1941, Page 6

N.Z.-MADE TANKS

CONVERSION OF COMMERCIAL TRACTOR MIMIIIK C< iMHI NT in \RMY (1111 l kuuTinidc'tank'hc inspected l at Burn ham. There v\:i> little vibration aiu crew were untroubled by fumes o noise, he reported No penetration o damage to the vehicle resulted othe to the driving gear, which in no wa; affected the running Several bullet entered through the commander s ob servation slit, thus confirming previou opinions that a periscope was neces sary. Bullet splash occurred througl all the gun ball mountings, but non< C In all. C J()UJ rounds wen- fired Iron inside the tank and 1100 rounds agains the tank at ranges of 50 and luff yards In his recommendations to the Mm ister Major-General Puttick states tha the tank situation has altered c. n id erably since the experimental tank: were constructed, there being at tha time nc tanks or Bren carriers in sight As these were now coming to hand, nc further local pattern tanks should be constructed. He recommends, however that the existing three tanks shoulc be retained, but that the turret shoulc be removed and that the bullet splasl through the gun mountings should be eliminated. The three tanks are to be employee for beach defence, in hull-down posi tions defiladed from the sea coverim beaches from a flank “From such ini tial positions,” states Major-Genera Puttick. "they can be moved in accord ance with tlu* tactical situation, eithei to successive defensive positions or tc toi support a counter-attack by fire anc movement ’’