LAND IRONCLADS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9685, 13 June 1917, Page 8

LAND IRONCLADS

SAVE© 25,000 LIVES.

' In’ yeeterdav.V cablegrams the;, fact was recorded that-a new and more powerful tank has been used- in the latest operations against Messines. It will be interesting to recall that it was on September lath, of fast year that the mysterious tanks made their first appearance at the battle of the Ancre.’ - Their construction during the preceding month© had been shrouded in the utmost Mystery apd secrecy, and when they; first appeared those who saw them were usually convulsed with laughter, at their ungainly appearance and waddling antica, Eut they, "got there.” as the Amen cane, say, and their co-operation with the Enrich forces at that-battle-contributed largely to the rapid -success of the operations and minimised/ the losses incurred to an extraordinary degree.. .Mr Philip Gibbs, ,u This latest book, make* a etqtoment that the use- of the take has saved tiis British Army at-least; 25/000 lives. . The official war picture to be seen en Monday next at the Town Hall was taken oh September 15th. last.- and actually shows these’ ungainly monsters advancing to their deadly-work.” Whoever sees this ■ film will gain. almost’ as vivid en idea of what reel .warfare means na if they had been actually on the spot. Needless to say, these filins, which, are taken by official kinematographers >ttached as - a brapeeh of the French army, are not secured without risk and danger to the operators. Two of them already have Tost .their - lives. In the course of their work they are exposed to practically’the same;dangers as tho men who are carrying rifle and bomb.