AMATEURISH

War Wit, Volume 1, Issue 10, 1 November 1941, Page 7

AMATEURISH

Mention of the “Bush artillery” at Tobruk reminds of the dash our mob cutor thought they did — when, during the chase after, the Turko-German forces in the Sinai, we captured a battery of Austrian guns. Our own artillery was a good , way in the rear, so some enterprising troopers thought they’d turn artillerymen and try their hands with the captured guns.

One bird reckoned he knew all about artillery and, taking charge, he gave orders and the guns were loaded. )

“Battery, fire!” roared the selfproclamied artillery expert, and the four guns sent, forth their deathdealing shells. But the artillery expert evidently didn’t know much about range. Instead of the shells getting among the enemy about three miles ahead in an oasis, they tore into a sandhill a couple of hundred yards ahead of where we were.

Not to be denied, the “expert” wanted to fire another round, but our troop officer decided against it.

“Better leave well alone,” said the lieutenant; “your elevation doesn’t seem too good and there’s a risk the shells might boomerang and hit some of us*.” We rode on and left the battery for others to souvenir as a : prize. * * *