U SERIES - TALK DOUG LAURENSON THERMOS BOMBS PT 1

Rights Information
Year
1940
Reference
11395
Media type
Audio
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Rights Information
Year
1940
Reference
11395
Media type
Audio
Series
U series
Duration
00:02:22
Broadcast Date
11 Dec 1940
Credits
RNZ Collection

Part 1 of 4

New Zealand Broadcasting Unit commentator Doug Laurenson [Military Service no. 34957] records a talk about thermos flask bombs - a new weapon being used by the Italians when raiding New Zealand positions towards Libya.
He recounts a description of them in action which he was given by three New Zealand soldiers during a recent visit to the Western Desert. The Italians fly over at night at great height, drop all the bombs they are carrying in one bunch and return for Libya as fast as they can. While many miles from their target they switch off their engines and glide down a few thousand feet to avoid detection. One night the men noticed after the bombs had dropped the planes were at a very low altitude.

This item is part of a collection of recordings made by the Mobile Broadcasting Units, which travelled overseas with New Zealand forces between 1940-1945. They recorded New Zealanders' experiences of war and messages to their families and friends, which were sent back home to be played on a weekly radio programme.