Howitzers!

Yes, finally FF can deliver on one part of its blurb highlights (methinks Buenos Aires & the Tango will have to wait a while). So here's a story about howitzers.

I recently visited Salisbury Plain to see a bunch of rocks. Of course these weren't your ordinary, garden variety pet rocks but big ones, really big ones arranged in a circle. I am of course referring to the World Heritage listed site of Stonehenge. Anyway while walking around these rocks and taking a few happy snaps I heard a couple of loud banging noises. It sounded like somebody taking a piece of metal and hitting something with it. At the time I didn't think too much of it. I also noticed some smoke in the distance.

Later our tour guide revealed that the loud sound came from British Army units on exercise. I presume the sound and smoke was from artillery pieces (possibly AS-90 155 mm self-propelled howitzers) as opposed to small arms fire. Apparently the army has extensive exercise grounds and firing ranges on Salisbury Plain. I did notice on our way there and on the way out, signs for things like tank crossings, and overhead I saw Lynx and Sea King helicopters fly past.