Part 3 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, and how New Zealanders learned to defuse them.
The three New Zealand soldiers investigating how to defuse the bombs, found the bomb could be triggered simply by moving the sand nearby, without even touching it.
From oil stains surrounding each bomb as it lay on the sand, the Captain guessed that oil in a reservoir kept it from exploding, when it struck. The shock of impact caused the oil to drain away and three tiny ball bearings were freed. Any movement, however small,allowed these to make contact causing the explosion.
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.