GIGANTIC GUNS

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11216, 23 October 1914, Page 1

GIGANTIC GUNS

r FOR GERMAN ARMY. ■ SHOOTS BALLS OF FIRE. (Received October 38, 9 a.m.): LONDON, October 22. The war correspondent of the " Vossische Zeitung " describes the action of the German* forty-two centimetre guns mads by Krupp u Their mouths a.ro lowered go that the shells can be placed in with greater ease, then they stand erect proudly, looking at the sky. The distance has been determined, and . the great moment has arrived. Carefully the fuse is brought to a trigger which is pulled by two men. in. officer calls, 'Fire!' and a gigantic ball of fire, 40ft in diameter,, is formed at the month. A deafening crash resounds, and a strong air pressure is felt; the window,,pancb in a house 3ooft in front of the gun are all shattered, and the roof partially carried off. A little round body appears above the mouth of tho barrel, rises straight in a steep ane, and disappears after & second in clouds, being driven upward with tho ease of a child's ball. Shots follow at intervals of ten minutes. The impression on the atmosphere is gigantic oven at a great distance. Our quarters are SoOyds from the guns, but tho bouse j gets a shock with every shot." I J German officers hare assumed ike higher commands in the Austrian army. Austrian troops have been mixed, with German, soldiers, and all the armies are commanded by German generals. ' SERYIA'S CAMPAIGN. (Received October 23, 9.80 a.m.) NlSIi, October 22. Tho Servians repulsed Austrian attack* near Noneliev". Emi/ioro ami Belgrade, mllieihtg he)iv;t ipswe.