Evening star., 1943-03-28
Secret Gun
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to both American and Allied forces
Unofficially, it is reported to have
been seen on the Russian front. It's
meager description-the barrel of
the gun resembles an diversified gas
pipe-tallies with pictures of a man
carried gun alleged to have been
released by Soviet censors.
This weapon has been success
fully used by our forces in Africa
to destroy Notifications and tanks,
Gen. Campbell said. TT is so simple
and yet so powerful that any foot
soldier using it can stand his ground
with the certain knowledge that he
Is the master of any tank which
may attack him."
Gen. Campbell gave this further
evidence of the Bazooka's deadly
effectiveness in actual battle, based
on reports received from the front.
One Blast, Six Tanks Surrender.
"On one occasion. an American
soldier armed with this weapon was
suddenly confronted with six tanks
The projectile missed the tanks,
but felled a large tree.
The tank commander, an expert
enced officer, surrendered. The
Americans were astonished. The
tank commander explained:
"When you start firing 155-mm.
guns at tanks, it's time to sur
render
The 155-mm. self-propelled gun is
the largest field weapon used by
our forces.
During recent operations in
Africa" Gen. Campbell further re-
lated, "a small but strong fort gave
considerable trouble to the Ameri-
sans. One lone American soldier
detached himself from the landing
party, waded ashore and with one
shot from his gun effected surren-
der of the fort. That will be known
as the saga of one American soldier
and his bazooka"
Armys most zealously guarded
hush weapons It was demon
strated to newspapermen for the
first time by Gen. Campbell on De-
cember 30 at the Aberdeen Md
Proving Ground. In the demonstra-
tion, an open breach weapon was
fred from the shoulder by one man.
Most of the recoil has been elm
mated.
Penetrates Brick Walls.
Whether the new explosive he
mentioned is used in the Bazooka S
projectile was not disclosed. The
latter's penetrating ability was des-
cribed, however. by the War De-
partment as being able ito drive
through brick walls and rock mas
onry with blast effect in addition
to penetrating tank armor.
TT will Shatter cast steel and
such material as bridge girders and
railroad rails, ard perform other
seeming miracles" the department
said. Before long the Bazooka will
be heard from on all fronts"
Tactics have been developed for
use of the weapon in both often
sive and defensive action. Primar-
lily it is intended for use at close
range.
Users Work in Teams
ut is designed to be operated by
soldiers who work in teams, one to
load, the other to aim and fire"
the department said.
I'm defensive action. the opera
tors of the Bazooka will be recruited
from among chauffeurs, truck driv-
ers, ammunition bearers, orderlies
clerks and mess personnel. All men
in the service, however, will be
schooled in the care and use of the
weapon.
The Bazooka is intended to sup
plement rather than supersede other
weapons. In this way, other ele-
mentS will be left free to use their
ordinary weapons and thus assure
maximum fire power.
Development of this new portable
gun is in line with the Ordnance
DEPARTMENT. constant study of
battle conditions by which it is
possible to turn out new weapons
when most needed. 1t aims to
keep year ahead of the war game.
Enemy propaganda, Gen Camp
bell declared, seems to be RESPONSE
BILE for spirit abroad in the land
which docs not like to admit that
anything our own Army, including
its own Ordnance Department, is
doing is the equal of that being
done by the enemy"
Gen. Campbell exploded-once and
for all time, it is to be hoped-the
myth of the deadly effectiveness of
the German 56-ton Mark vi tank.
Referring to the effective work of
the American-made self-propelled
150-mm. hoWitzer, he called it "the
answer to our artilleryman's prayer"
. Ordnance developed Cotton tank
actually l6 months ago. Gen. Camp
bell disclosed, but it was rejected
and was not put into quantity pro-
duction.' He said it was found by
the armored force to be too heavy,
too large a target of too little gun
power for its Weight-and, most i'm
portant, it lacked maneuverability.
In its place, he said, the 105-mm.
howitzer put in its appearance be-
fore Ell Alamein, the battle in which
the British smashed Field Marshall
Erwin Rommel's defenses and forced
him to retreat 1900 miles to Tunisia.
The British give high credit to the
1o5-mm. for their successes.