iv. To support local counter-attacks and, if possible, the

decisive counter-attack. (_See_ Secs. =162=, =163=.)

=The distribution of the artillery will be settled in accordance with the relative importance of each of the above tasks in the general plan of battle and with due regard to the nature of the ground.=

5. When the country is enclosed and the field of fire restricted it will usually be desirable to distribute a large proportion of the artillery to the sections of the defence and to form temporary groups of the two arms as has been advocated in the case of the attack. (_See_ Sec. =153= (5), (6), (7).) In such country the close defence of each defended locality is the chief requirement, and the other tasks assume a minor importance.

When the country is open with bold features and a good field of fire it will often be found that the defended localities can be made mutually supporting, and that artillery posted in one section of the defence can assist the defence of a locality in another section better than the batteries actually posted in that section. In this case the formation of more or less independent groups should seldom be necessary, and the positions will be selected and tasks allotted to the artillery by the divisional artillery commander under instructions from the divisional commander.

In either case it is inadvisable to commit many guns to action until the direction of the enemy’s attack is definitely ascertained.

=6. At the commencement of the action it is advisable that the artillery should be concealed as much as possible.=

If the intricacies of the ground make such a course desirable, it is permissible to post guns in open positions for the close defence of a locality and to reserve the fire of these guns for the crisis of the fight. If this is done great care should be taken to conceal the emplacements.

A ridge in rear of the main position and dominating it will facilitate the co-operation of the artillery with the infantry defence, provided the distance between the two is not too great.

Positions where the defender receives the support of his artillery, while the attacker does not, are usually strong for defence.

=159.= _Opening phase of the defence._

1. The use to be made of the artillery fire of the defence during the opening phase of the attack must depend on the general plan for the conduct of the action. A commander may desire to draw the enemy on and induce him to commit himself in a certain direction so as to offer a favourable opportunity for early counter-attack, or he may desire to delay the enemy’s advance and make the progress of his attack as slow, laborious and costly as possible.

In the former case he will reserve his artillery fire and will rely largely on surprise effect when he eventually decides to open fire. Communication must be established throughout the position and control must be rigidly maintained.

In the latter case the artillery of the defence will endeavour to make the enemy deploy at a distance and to delay the advance of his infantry. The enemy will make use of covered approaches and will cross open spaces as rapidly as possible when exposed to view, adopting formations that are the least vulnerable to artillery fire.

2. Searching the covered approaches when the effect of the fire cannot be observed is not likely to have the desired result, and will lead to the waste of valuable ammunition.

The limits of the open spaces over which the enemy is likely to attempt to move and, if necessary, the range of any prominent objects within those limits should be registered (_See_ Sec. =219=), and all arrangements made to establish a belt of fire through which the enemy must pass (_see_ Sec. =224= (4)). =The fire should be of such a nature as to impress upon the enemy the certainty of loss if he attempts to cross open spaces without deploying.= The result will be to instil caution, cause deployment to take place at a distance, and make the advance slow and difficult.

3. The enemy’s artillery will endeavour to support the advance of the infantry. The best way to defeat this object is for the defending batteries to be concealed. Batteries that are located at this stage may be moved and take up other positions, if such are available.

=160.= _Second phase of the defence._

1. =It is only in exceptional circumstances that the artillery of the defence can hope, by the effect of its own fire, to prevent the attacking infantry closing with the defence.= A new phase of the operations will be entered upon when the attacking infantry comes under the effective rifle fire of the defence.

2. The object of the attacking infantry at this stage will be to build up firing lines in suitable positions from which to develop effective covering fire to support a further advance.

From now onward the hostile infantry will be compelled to move in extended order by rushes; the number of men moving, and the length of the rushes, depending on the ground, the distance from the defender’s position, and the volume and effect of his fire. The shorter the distance from the position and the more effective the defender’s fire, the shorter will be the length of each rush and the fewer the number of men taking part in it.

Artillery cannot hope to deal effectively with each individual rush. =At this stage the object of the artillery should be to foresee the positions where the hostile firing lines will be formed, and to subject these firing lines to bursts of fire of such rapidity and intensity as to keep them glued to the ground, and to prevent them from developing effective covering fire.= The more threatening the hostile infantry is the more frequent and intense should be the bursts of artillery fire.

3. The hostile artillery will do all in its power to reduce the volume and effect of the fire of the defence, both gun and rifle fire.

If the hostile artillery is able to locate the position of the defender’s infantry the latter may suffer severely, and the power of the defence may be seriously weakened thereby. The artillery of the attack therefore must not be ignored, but instead of endeavouring to destroy the hostile batteries by an overwhelming concentration of fire, the object will be to neutralize their fire with as few batteries as possible, so as to free as many as possible to fire on the attacking infantry.[14]

[14] The methods by which a hostile battery should be neutralized are described in Sec. =155= (2).

4. =Infantry conquers and retains the ground. The principal effort must therefore be directed to bringing the infantry advance to a standstill. When the infantry loses its power of forward movement it is no longer capable of forcing a decision.=

When this occurs the enemy’s reserves should be expected and a careful watch kept for their appearance, so that they may be crushed without delay.

=161.= _Third phase of the defence._

1. If the attacking infantry is successful in reaching a position from which it is possible to threaten an assault, no effort must be spared to increase the effect of the fire of the defence. If a forward movement to an open position is likely to contribute to this object it must be undertaken without hesitation. The principle laid down in Sec. =146= (4) applies to this situation.

Should a successful assault be delivered there is sure to be some confusion in the ranks of the attackers, who will probably endeavour to re-form. The captured locality should at once be subjected to artillery fire, converging if possible.

2. If a counter-attack is launched for the recapture of the locality the artillery will give it the most effective support that is possible in the circumstances. If time permits the divisional artillery commander should organize this support under instructions from the divisional commander; but subordinate artillery commanders must not wait for orders, when aware that such an attack is taking place.

COUNTER-ATTACKS.

=162.= _Artillery support to local counter-attacks._

1. During the course of the fight all favourable opportunities for local counter-attacks must be seized. (_See_ F.S. Regs., Part I, Sec. 109.) These local counter-attacks must be assisted by the fire of any guns conveniently situated for the purpose. The time for preparation will usually be short, and subordinate artillery commanders must therefore often decide for themselves how this support can best be given and what proportion of the guns to employ. Extensive changes of position should be avoided and should rarely be necessary.

=163.= _Artillery support to the decisive counter-attack._

(_See also_ F.S. Regs., Part I, Sec. 110.)

1. The nature of the artillery support to the decisive counter-attack must depend on the nature of the ground over which it is delivered and the direction which it takes.

It may be that the counter-attack can best be supported from the positions already occupied by the artillery in the main position. If that is the case it will not be necessary to keep artillery in reserve for the purpose. A change of zones or objectives may suffice to afford the necessary support.

This will not always be the case. If the troops with which it is intended to carry out the counter-attack have been placed at a distance from the main position, and if the direction of the counter-attack and the ground over which it moves prevents adequate artillery support being given from the main position, special provision must be made. Either artillery must from the outset form part of the troops destined for the counter-attack or batteries must be withdrawn from the main position for the purpose.

Either course is legitimate, and the method to be adopted is a matter for the decision of the commander of the force. If he decides to withdraw guns that are in action every effort must be made to ensure their timely arrival in their new positions. As the success of the counter-attack is usually dependent on correct timing this is a matter of great importance.

2. =The action of the artillery in support of the counter-stroke should be characterized by boldness.= The moral effect of batteries advancing boldly in support of their infantry may decide the issue, when success or failure hang in the balance.

ARTILLERY IN WOOD AND VILLAGE FIGHTING.

=163= A. _The employment of artillery in wood fighting._

1. As obstacles to movement and view woods exercise an important influence on artillery tactics both in attack and defence. A wooded area increases the difficulty of observation of fire.

2. A wood of small extent that is held by the enemy lends itself to envelopment, and the hostile troops will usually be posted outside it. In such a case the wood itself should not materially interfere with artillery support for the attacking infantry.

3. A wood of large area presents a serious obstacle to effective co-operation between the attacking artillery and infantry. The enemy may have prepared the wood for internal defence, using existing clearings and making others; or he may have taken up a position behind it, sufficiently near to bring a concentrated artillery and rifle fire to bear upon the attacking troops as they attempt to debouch. In either case the problem which confronts the attacking infantry is the same, namely, to issue from a belt of wood and cross an open space under close fire from hostile artillery and infantry.

Provided observation parties can establish themselves in suitable positions and adequate means of intercommunication are available, the attacking artillery may be able to support the infantry from positions outside the wood.

The most effective means of assisting the infantry, however, will be the employment of sections or even single guns in the wood itself in close support of the firing line.

4. In dealing with a wood of considerable extent the best position for troops compelled to act on the defensive will often be in rear of the wood at such a distance from it that artillery and infantry fire can be brought to bear at close ranges on the hostile infantry as it attempts to issue from the wood.

The edge of the wood should be prepared with abatis or entanglements and arrangements should be made for artillery fire to be brought to bear on any gaps between the obstacles or other places where hostile bodies are likely to assemble when emerging from the wood.

Arrangements should further be made for artillery to support the action of local reserves against hostile bodies that may succeed in issuing from the wood, and to deal with outflanking movements by the enemy.

If a clearing of suitable extent exists or can be made within the wood, troops may be placed in position along the edge of it furthest from the enemy, the opposite edge being prepared with obstacles as explained above. Guns should be placed in position with the infantry, care being taken to dispose them so that their fire can be brought to bear on any open spaces likely to be crossed by the enemy.

Special arrangements should be made for the timely withdrawal of the guns to positions behind the wood should the infantry be driven back to the main position.

5. Against troops located in a wood high explosive shell or percussion shrapnel will be more effective than time shrapnel.

=163= B. _Artillery in the attack and defence of villages._

1. Villages not only lend themselves to conversion into strong tactical localities, but troops are instinctively attracted towards them.

2. In defending a village infantry will usually be entrenched outside it, in front of it, and on its flanks. Artillery should also be placed outside the village in positions where the guns command the approaches to it and the exits from it.

A portion of the artillery may be posted in advance of the village at the outset, in order to compel the enemy to make an early deployment. In this case careful arrangements should be made for the timely withdrawal of the guns to positions on the flanks or in rear of the village, as the attack develops.

As in the case of wood fighting it is important to arrange for adequate artillery support for local counter-attacks by the local reserves.

3. In the attack of a village artillery fire should be concentrated on the hostile infantry as soon as it is located.

When the enemy has been driven from his trenches the fire of the artillery should be concentrated on the village itself in order to deny its cover to the hostile troops retiring through it.

When the attacking infantry reaches the village the artillery should push forward on the flanks and engage any hostile bodies posted in rear of the village to command the exits from it.

ARTILLERY IN NIGHT OPERATIONS.

=164.= _General instructions._

1. “Night operations may be classified as _night marches_, _night advances_ and _night assaults_.” (_See_ F.S. Regs., Part I, Sec. 129.) Artillery must be prepared to take part in any of these operations. It may also be required to participate in the defence, at night, of a position or locality.

2. In a night march artillery usually marches at the least exposed portion of the column, _i.e._, in rear or on the protected flank. In this case preliminary reconnaissance by the artillery is not possible, its preparations being chiefly directed to reducing the noise caused by the horses’ harness and by the vehicles.

3. “The purpose of a night advance is to gain ground from which further progress will be made in daylight and not to deliver a decisive assault during darkness.” (_See_ F.S. Regs., Part I, Sec. 134.)

Such advances are made when in contact with the enemy, either as a preliminary to opening a battle, or to gain an advantage during its course. The ultimate object in view in each case may be either an assault at dawn, or to gain better fire positions. The immediate aim of the artillery must be to get the guns during darkness into favourable fire positions, ready to open fire at dawn. Careful reconnaissance of the positions to be occupied is an essential preliminary. (_See_ Sec. =189=.)

4. Night assaults may be undertaken to gain a point of support for further operations in daylight, to drive in an enemy’s advanced troops or to secure an outpost position as a preliminary to an attack at dawn. (_See_ F.S. Regs., Pt. I, Sec. 135.)

The extent to which artillery can participate in a night assault depends principally on whether the assault follows immediately on a night march or is a continuation of previous operations. In the former case artillery can rarely be of assistance during darkness; in the latter, guns may occasionally be able to assist, provided thorough preparations have been made in daylight, and careful steps taken to ensure the timely cessation of fire.

5. In the defence artillery may be able to give effective assistance when the front to be defended is narrow, and there is limited ground over which the enemy must pass if he wishes to attack. In these circumstances all arrangements for concentrating fire on various zones should be made in advance.

ARTILLERY IN RETIREMENTS AND RETREATS.

=165.= _Retirements._

(_See also_ F.S. Regs., Part I, Sec. 113.)

1. It must be a point of honour with troops never to retire, without orders, from a position they have been detailed to hold to the end. On occasions it may be advisable to order batteries when exposed to accurate and destructive fire to cease fire temporarily; or they may be compelled to do so by want of ammunition. In either case they must remain in action and wait for the fire to diminish, or the arrival of more ammunition. When any movement to the rear is ordered it must be carried out in an orderly manner, otherwise it cannot fail to have a bad moral effect.

2. Should it become necessary to abandon a position, a portion of the artillery will usually be required to establish itself as quickly as possible in positions from which the retirement of the rest of the force can be covered. The fire of heavy guns from positions overlooking the main position, combined with that of field guns which, owing to their greater mobility, may occupy more advanced positions, would usually form the most effective means for securing the withdrawal of the rest of the force.

When it is a question of ensuring the safe withdrawal of the main body, artillery must be ready to take any risk, and loss of _matériel_ is then fully justified.

3. The organization of a rearguard to cover further retreat is the function of the commander assisted by the general staff, but, in order that the most efficient artillery units may be allotted to such a force, it is necessary for divisional artillery commanders to keep themselves acquainted with the position and relative condition of each artillery brigade as regards losses and ammunition.

It is also the duty of the artillery commander to appoint a commander of the rearguard artillery, and to inform him of the batteries at his disposal and of the name of the commander of the rearguard.

4. The withdrawal of the rest of the artillery and its subsequent formation on the march is the next most important duty for the divisional artillery commander in co-operation with the general staff of the division.

=166.= _Rearguards._

(_See also_ F.S. Regs., Part I, Secs. 71, 72.)

1. The object of a rearguard is to gain time and then to withdraw without becoming too deeply engaged. This is best effected by compelling the enemy to halt and deploy for attack as frequently and at as great a distance as possible.

With these objects in view a rearguard is usually strong in artillery.

2. The commander of the artillery of a rearguard should, as a rule, accompany the rearguard commander, in order that he may have early information as to the next position to be occupied, its extent and the general dispositions for its occupation.

3. Batteries in direct fire positions are apt to be pinned to their positions by the hostile artillery, and withdrawal from such positions is often difficult. As, moreover, the close defence of a position is rarely required in a rearguard action it will not, as a rule, be necessary for artillery to bring fire to bear on the ground close in front of the position. Positions in rear of the crest are therefore preferable but battery commanders must arrange to keep their immediate front under observation.

4. The flanks of a rear guard position are specially important and some guns should usually be employed in their defence. It is the duty of the commander of these guns to see that they have an escort. Any artillery patrols that may be available should also be allotted to them rather than to guns centrally situated whose position is more secure.

5. While it is the duty of the rearguard commander to select the time and method of retiring and the position where the next stand is to be made an artillery officer should, if possible, accompany the officer detailed to reconnoitre this position in order to select the most suitable positions for the batteries and to supply the artillery commander with information.

Subordinate artillery commanders must endeavour to have lines of retirement reconnoitred, in order to avoid interfering with the movements of other troops.

6. The supply of ammunition to a rearguard requires careful arrangements to be made by the divisional artillery staff in accordance with the orders of the divisional commander. Sections of brigade ammunition columns may be disposed at suitable points; or sometimes small depôts of ammunition may be left in easily recognized localities at which empty ammunition wagons can refill. The commander of the rearguard artillery must be informed of the arrangements made for replenishing ammunition.

EMPLOYMENT OF HORSE ARTILLERY WITH CAVALRY.

(_See also_ “Cavalry Training.”)

=167.= _General instructions._

1. =The paramount duty of horse artillery is to prepare the way for the cavalry and to support it in the fight.=

The principles laid down in the preceding sections regarding the employment of artillery apply equally to the horse artillery, although the special characteristics and functions of cavalry may call for modification in methods.

2. The main functions of cavalry in war are--

i. To discover the enemy’s dispositions and movements.