45TH ARTILLERY “SHOOT”

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 10057, 23 August 1918, Page 8

45TH ARTILLERY “SHOOT”

AT MORRISON’S'BUSH

The 45th Field Artillery hold their “shoot” at Morrison’s Bush yesterday morning. The firing was watched by IdeutenanW^oloncl Gumming, Major O. McGilpj K.Z.F.A.. and Captain W, O- Bradley, chief artillery mstrucSpecialists (Battery Staff) led to the schoolhouso at Morrison’s Bush, where a halt was made. The 47th and 4Sth Field. Artillery followed on foot, led by I/ientenant i&wen. ' Both * these reinforcements watched the shoot in progress. Following them on the road was the 45th Artillery. Battery itself (lieutenant Bull, 0.C.). The battery arrived at a point near the schoolhouse, under cover from the, enemy, some distance .before the gun positions, and . prepared for action. They then walk-marched into action, and Lieutenant McLean gave the order, “Halt, action front.” At that order the guns halted, and unhooking from the limbers; they were swung round, muzzles pointing to the target, and the limbers • went to the rear at the trot.

The first series of tho shoot was indirect at a target on Jury’s Hill, with a line of canvas representing a trench. The range was 3500 yards. The tartime shrapnel. The fuse was. found quickly. Fire wag then opened with the shrapnel The fuse was found after four rounds. From, this the shooting was very effective, the trench being practically wrecked. For the second series the guns cam© into action in the open, the target being four gung in Morrison’s Gully. The range was 3400 yards. The results in this series wore also good. Tho laying was excellent, and ■ the work of tho gunners steady. Tho manoeuvre and handlingof teams on taking -up position was also good. Twenty-six rounds were tired, and at least 60 per • cent, were effective.

r The third series was fired by tho 4.5 howitzer. The target was a white flag on Jury’s Hill, representing a ma-chine-gun emplacement. The shooting was not so-: good a 3 tho previous series, but tho work on tho guu was smart and accurate.

Major McGilp, in commenting on the “Ishoot,” said it was one of the best performances ho had scon, considering the fact that tho men were nearly all brand now at the work. The high wind was the cause of the howitzer shoot not' being so successful, as the winds, affect tho 4.5 more than they do the 18'pounders.