GUNS INTERRUPT A SPEECH.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 5359, 17 February 1916, Page 3

GUNS INTERRUPT A SPEECH.

IRATIOX I'XDER A TAFBE RAID

In « detailed narrative of his visit to the front, Mr John Redmond, M.P., describes a number of interesting experiences .with the troops." At one place the Munster Fusiliers wrti'e paraded, and Major-General Rawlinson nsksid him to address them. “There was n battery of British anti-aircraft guns on my left, about 41) yards away, and a battery of 75mm. French guns about 40 yards on my right,” says Mr Redmond. “After I had spoken a few sentences the battery rm my left rang out with startling suddenness, and «vp then hec*unc aware that there was n hostile Gernyin Teubc aeroplane right over our heads. “From that point until the end of my speech, the British guns on the one side and the French guns on the other fired shrapnel shells at, the Hu.ub«> at regular intervals. “It was « strange experience for mo to have. my speech punctuated, not by applause, but by the roar of guns situated a few yards froth where I was standing, “It iwHs' a marvellous exhibition of the discipline and steadiness of the men that while this firing took place not one of the men even lifted his head to look in the sky at the .aeroplane, but remained absolutely passive at attention. “The French 77mm. gun is certainly a beautiful weapon. It can be used as an anti-aircraft gun, and immediately afterwards it can he used as an ordinary field gun.”