WITH THE INTERNATIONAL FIELD FORCE IN CRETE, 1897. 535 
part in the Crimean War as a subaltern, was still on the active list in 
Crete at the age of 76, and I do not think that was a very exceptional 
case. We all admired the patience with which the Turkish soldier went 
about his work and in the hardships that be put up with, because he 
had neither clothing nor pay ; but on the other hand the Turkish 
authorities were always most careful that he should have an excellent 
ration—he was never starved—he might not have clothes or pay, but 
he always had plenty to eat, and I think that went a long way towards 
his contentment (applause). 
The CHAIRMAN : —Has anybody else anything to contribute to the 
discussion—any officer of the Mountain Batteries ? 
Captain T. W. G. Bryan, Royal Artillery:—General Maurice and 
gentlemen. As I served with a Mountain Battery for some time 
I should like to make a remark about what Major Simpson said 
at the end of the lecture about the calibre of the Mountain gun. I 
cannot quite agree with what he said about it. It must be remember¬ 
ed that a Mountain Battery might have to work in very difficult 
country with a large number of targets, against savage races. I think 
what is wanted is a large number of rounds with the battery, so that 
it may be in action all day in an inaccessible country, and yet not be 
without ammunition. I think that means having a gun with a small 
calibre. For instance, if a gun was a 12-pr. and you had only got a 
few mules, as Major Simpson said he had in Crete, you could not have 
very many rounds. I think with an ordinary savage, or semi-savage 
enemy it does not matter so much how many bullets there are in the 
shrapnel—if the shells burst in the middle of the enemy that is about 
enough for them. The affair at Gumatti* was referred to—I suppose 
it was a Pathan village, which is a very strong position. There were 
a certain number of well armed men there fighting desperately for 
their lives, and there were only two mountain guns there; so that I 
think it is quite reasonable to suppose that the calibre did not make 
such a great difference as was made out by the newspaper report. I 
think that question of the number of rounds ought to be considered in 
the calibre of mountain guns ; I think it is a very important feat or in¬ 
deed, and I think it limits the calibre of the gun to a great extent. 
Captain F. B. MAURICE, A.D.C., Derbyshire Regiment,: — General 
Maurice and gentlemen. Although I am not a Gunner I should like to 
say a word as to the recent operation on the North-West Frontier. I 
do not think there was any single occasion on which any Mountain 
Artillery had ever to send back for more ammunition, or was ever in 
any way pressed for want of ammunition; but I have seen myself a 
large number of sangars, built of loose stone, which could be 
destroyed by a good kick, invaded with Shrapnel bullets which had 
failed to disturb the occupants at all. I do not know anything about 
ballistics or the effect of projectiles, but it seems to me quite possible 
that a gun of bigger calibre than we have at present might have been 
of great service to us during this operation (hear, hear). 
* R.A.I. “ Proceedings,” Vol. XXVI., No. 6, “ A Small Fight on the Indian Frontier.” By 
Captain G. R. Lamb, R.A. 
