Sharpes Havoc   ::   Корнуэлл Бернард

The barrel, just twenty-eight inches long,was mounted between wheels that were the height of a man, but the small weapon was capable of doing what other field guns could not achieve: it could fire in a high arc. Field guns were rarely elevated more than a degree or two and their round shot flew in a flat trajectory, but the howitzer tossed its shells up high so that they plunged down onto the enemy. The guns were designed to fire over defensive walls, or above the heads of friendly infantry, and because a lobbed missile came to a swift stop when it landed, the howitzers did not fire solid round shot. An ordinary field gun, firing solid shot, could depend on the missile to bounce and keep on bouncing, and even after the fourth or fifth graze, as the gunners called each bounce, the round shot could still maim or kill, but a round shot tossed into the air was likely to bury itself in the turf and do no subsequent damage. So the howitzers fired shells that were fused to explode when the missile landed.

„Forty-nine times two, sir, seeing as how we have the caisson for the other howitzer as well,” Pelletieu said when Vuillard asked him how many shells his gun possessed. „Ninety-eight shells, sir, and twenty-two canister. Twice the usual rations!”

„Forget the canister,” Vuillard ordered. Canister, which spread from a gun’s barrel like duck shot, was for use against troops in the open, not for infantry concealed amongst rocks. „Drop the shells on the bastards and we’ll send for more ammunition if you need it. Which you won’t,” he added malevolently, „because you’re going to kill the bastards, aren’t you?”

„That’s what we’re here for,” Pelletieu said happily, „and with respect, sir, we won’t make widows by standing here talking. I’d best find a place to deploy her, sir. Sergeant! Shovels!”

„Shovels?” Vuillard asked.

„We have to level the ground, sir,” Pelletieu said, „because God didn’t think of gunners when He made the world. He made too many lumps and not enough smooth spots. But we’re very good at improving His handiwork, sir.” He led his men toward the hill in search of a place that could be leveled.

Colonel Christopher had been inspecting the howitzer, but now nodded at Pelletieu’s receding back. „Sending schoolboys to fight our wars?”

„He seems to know his business,” Vuillard admitted grudgingly. „Did your servant turn up?”

„Bloody man’s gone missing. Had to shave myself!”

„Shave yourself, eh?” Vuillard observed with amusement. „Life is hard, Colonel, life is sometimes so very hard.