ii. The correct timing of the attacks, so that the enemy

will not be allowed to deal with the two separately. For this reason it will often be necessary to push the guns and machine guns boldly forward.

The nature of the country, the time available, the action of the enemy and the safety of the guns are factors to be considered when deciding to what extent the guns can be separated from the cavalry.

7. As soon as the cavalry commander has settled on his general plan of attack he informs his artillery commander of the general rôle that he wishes the artillery to take in it. The situation is liable to change with such rapidity that more than this is usually impossible, and the exact spot for coming into action, and the moment for opening fire or changing position, can only be decided by the artillery commander in accordance with the development of the fight.

After receiving his instructions, therefore, the artillery commander proceeds to reconnoitre for positions and will have complete freedom of action within the limits of the instructions he has received. It will generally be advisable for the artillery commander to leave an officer with the cavalry commander, to keep him informed, as far as possible, of the latter’s plans and intentions.

=171.= _The advance into action._

1. The manœuvres which precede the charge take place in such rapid succession that little time will be available for elaborate orders or dispositions. Horse artillery brigade commanders must therefore be ready to join the artillery commander as quickly as possible, when he proceeds to carry out his reconnaissance, so as to receive his verbal orders and communicate them without delay to brigade leaders.

2. The two chief duties of the horse artillery commander are to reconnoitre a position for his brigades and to watch the manœuvres of his own and the corresponding movements of the opposing cavalry. To save delay and to enable him to devote more time to the tactical situation he should usually be accompanied and assisted in his reconnaissance by the commanders of horse artillery brigades.

3. =The principal considerations involved by the above duties are, firstly, the selection of a position the fire from which will not easily be masked by the advance of the cavalry, and, secondly, the correct moment for coming into action, taking into account the time which must elapse between opening fire and obtaining effect.= If the cavalry machine guns are to act on the same flank as the horse artillery their commander must ascertain the position of the guns, so that he may avoid masking their fire at a critical moment.

4. Every effort should be made to conceal the guns till the last moment, so that the fire may come as a surprise. A covered line of advance, to the selected position should, therefore, be sought, while, if exposed ground has to be crossed, the distance of the enemy and the possibility of coming under fire must be considered in deciding on the formation to be adopted, it may be possible to deceive hostile patrols by masking the guns with the detachments. The position itself must be suitable for direct laying.

5. Both in the advance to and occupation of the position the artillery commander should ensure that the exposed flank of the guns is watched by artillery patrols, if no escort has been provided. If no natural obstacle covers this flank in action, it may be advisable to dispose some of the guns so as to cover it with their fire.

6. Batteries should be retained in positions of readiness as long as possible, in order not to lessen their mobility, should the situation change unexpectedly.

The temptation of gaining a temporary advantage must not be allowed to lead artillery into premature action. Such tactics, far from assisting in the defeat of the hostile cavalry, are liable to divulge the cavalry leader’s plans and may give the enemy a chance of immobilizing, with a fraction of his own artillery, the guns thus engaged, while the remainder of his troops are able to manœuvre in a direction out of reach of fire.

As a general rule, fire should not be opened until the cavalry is in a position to take immediate advantage of its effect. On the other hand the cavalry commander’s plan may render it desirable to open fire for some special purpose, such as to occupy the enemy’s attention or to force him to deploy prematurely or in a faulty direction.

=172.= _The fight._

1. =The most favourable moment for the guns to open fire will usually be when the opposing cavalry has definitely committed itself.=

2. As success depends on the result of the cavalry charge, it is the paramount duty of the horse artillery to concentrate its fire on that portion of the enemy’s cavalry on which the decisive attack is about to be delivered.

The time during which this portion of the enemy’s force is likely to be exposed to fire being of very brief duration, effect must be sought by the greatest rapidity of fire and well judged distribution.

3. When the guns can no longer engage the immediate object of the attack, fire should be directed on any supports or reserves that may be visible. It is most important that any formed bodies of fresh troops be dealt with at once.

As a rule, it is only when the guns become masked from the hostile cavalry, that their fire should be directed on to the enemy’s artillery. If, however, the enemy’s artillery exposes itself while limbered up or is bringing a heavy fire to bear on the main body of the cavalry during its approach march, the artillery commander will be justified in modifying the above procedure to meet such cases.

=173.= _Pursuit or retreat._

1. If the attack succeeds the artillery commander should send forward part of the artillery at once to support and assist the immediate pursuit. The object of these guns is to prevent the enemy re-forming or holding positions which would check the pursuit.

At the same time the artillery commander should retain control of some portion of the artillery so that he may be ready to comply with any demand which the cavalry commander may make on him for guns to co-operate in an organized pursuit.

2. If the attack fails the horse artillery must remain in action and by its fire form a screen in rear of which the cavalry may rally.

=174.= _Horse artillery with cavalry acting dismounted._

1. Occasions will frequently occur on reconnaissances, in advanced or rearguard actions, and in the seizure of advanced positions, when mounted troops will be involved in a fire fight, where mounted shock action is either not contemplated or is not of primary importance.

2. In such circumstances the mobility of mounted troops is generally employed in enabling successive fractions to move rapidly from one tactical point to another covered by the fire of those at rest. When taking part in such a fight, horse artillery should be guided by the general principles laid down for artillery co-operating with infantry. (_See_ Sec. =154= _et seq._)

As a rule an action of this nature will be initiated more deliberately than in a purely mounted combat.

The first requisite is information. The second that, in order to keep in touch with the developments of the action--conducted as it will probably be over a wide area--the positions for the guns should be chosen with a view to affording facilities for movement as well as for effective fire support.

3. A combination of a mounted attack with the fire attack will often form part of the plan of action.

In this case the mounted attack will usually endeavour to gain the flank of its objective while the artillery with the dismounted part of the force brings fire to bear at the right moment, in order to distract the enemy’s attention and pin him to his ground and so prevent any change of position to meet it.

4. Sometimes, however, it will be essential for mounted troops to drive home an attack against a locality on foot. On such occasions they must be formed for attack in depth, the object being to establish a firing line in a position as close as possible to the enemy and to obtain superiority of fire over him. When such is the case the action of the horse artillery will resemble that of field artillery in co-operation with infantry, and time will usually be available to draw up a systematic plan of attack. (_See_ Sec. =153=.)

5. The assistance of horse artillery will also be of great value when a mounted force has recourse to dismounted action either with a view to holding a locality till other troops arrive or simply to denying it to the enemy. Its method of employment will approximate to that of field artillery in the defence, but full advantage should be taken of its mobility to support any extensions or changes of front which may be adopted.

=175.= _Horse artillery in a general engagement._

1. Occasions for the employment of shock tactics against infantry or artillery may arise on the battlefield of the future, as they have in the past. Success can, however, only be anticipated when the enemy is either taken by surprise or when demoralized.

2. Surprise may be achieved by a skilful use of the ground or through the enemy’s attention being absorbed by the attack of the other arms. The enemy’s demoralization will depend on the action of the guns and infantry. Hence cavalry before attacking the enemy’s infantry or artillery must chiefly look to the way being prepared for it by the action of the other arms.

Horse artillery must be ready to assist in this preparation, and it will be the duty of its commander, under the instructions of the cavalry commander, to ascertain how best this assistance can be rendered. To this end the establishment of communication with the commanders of adjacent bodies of troops will be advisable.

=176.= _Ammunition supply._

1. Previous to an action the commander of each horse artillery brigade ammunition column should send an officer or non-commissioned officer to artillery headquarters.

2. The artillery commander is responsible for informing the ammunition column commanders as early as possible of the intended course of action and of the localities to which they are to move.

The original positions of these columns should be chosen with a view to the facilities for replenishing ammunition and suitability for defence.

3. If the force is to operate on a wide front, or if part of it is to act independently, instructions as to detaching sections or attaching orderlies to the various cavalry and artillery brigades will be necessary.

4. In the event of a cavalry or horse artillery brigade requiring more ammunition its commander will either send back the orderly to the ammunition column or apply direct to cavalry divisional headquarters as may be most convenient. The place to which the ammunition is to be sent and what arrangements, if any, have been made for its protection should be stated.

MOBILE ARTILLERY IN THE ATTACK AND DEFENCE OF A FORTRESS.

=177.= _The attack._

(_See also_ F.S. Regs., Part I, Secs. 118-125.)

1. In the attack of a fortress the first object will be to capture any advanced positions which the enemy may have occupied. These positions will often be provided with field works the extent of which will depend on a variety of circumstances. To drive the enemy out of such positions the employment of heavy mobile artillery may be necessary, but opportunities will also occur for the employment of the lighter guns in support of the infantry attacks.

These operations should be conducted on the same principles as laid down in Secs. =154-157=, every opportunity being taken to cause losses to the enemy which he cannot replace.

2. During the siege operations the field artillery will be employed as directed by the commander of the besieging force. The whole, or a portion of it, may be temporarily or permanently placed under the orders of the siege artillery commander.

The positions of batteries, which have not been placed under the siege artillery commander’s orders, will be selected by divisional artillery commanders, under the orders of divisional commanders. Care must be taken to ensure that the fire from these batteries will assist, and not interfere with, the siege artillery.

3. In the attack of permanent works, the fire of field guns being of little or no value, their use should be restricted to supporting infantry assaults, or to repelling sorties, which compel the enemy’s troops to expose themselves.

Howitzers and heavy artillery, on the other hand, would usually be called upon to take part in destroying the enemy’s armament and works.

4. Accuracy of fire being most important, the judicious selection of observing stations and positions is as important for field batteries as for heavier guns. The gun sites should be concealed and artificially protected, and, when possible, platforms for the howitzers should be provided. A good system of intercommunication and an efficient supply of ammunition are additional factors of importance.

=178.= _The defence._

(_See also_ F.S. Regs., Part I, Secs. 126-128.)

1. In the defence of a fortress delay is usually one of the principal objects. The longer the close investment can be prevented the more will it assist this object.

2. If assisting in the defence of a coast fortress, the first duty of the mobile artillery will be to oppose hostile landing parties. For this purpose it must be able to sweep the probable landing-places with shrapnel fire. It should, if possible, be screened from view of the ships supporting a landing. The best positions for opposing a hostile advance, from whatever quarter it may come, should be chosen in peace, and the sites for the guns thoroughly reconnoitred.

3. With the object of delaying the investment of the fortress one or more advanced positions may be occupied in front of the main line of defence. The distance of an advanced position from the main line of defence cannot be precisely laid down, but it must be far enough forward to deny to the enemy artillery positions from which fire can be opened against the main works, and should be strengthened by all artificial means available. In the advanced position will be placed the heavier guns of the movable armament; the light guns being employed in the counter-attacks that will be made from it with a view of inflicting loss upon the enemy, and hindering the establishment of his batteries. Sites for the various guns and howitzers available should be got ready in good time if this has not been done in peace.

4. As the assailants make good the ground, the last of the advanced positions will eventually be evacuated. The mobile artillery will then be distributed amongst the various sections of the defence, a proportion being retained with the general reserve.

5. As soon as the direction of the main attack has been made clear, the artillery on this front will be reinforced by all the guns that can be spared from elsewhere. The disposition of this armament will vary according to its nature and local conditions. Well-concealed positions for the howitzers and for Q.F. guns, positions from which they can fire direct against assaulting infantry, must be sought.

6. The same general rules apply to the use of projectiles in the defence as in the attack; high explosive shell being employed against _matériel_, and shrapnel fire against personnel.

ARTILLERY IN IRREGULAR WARFARE.

=179.= _General principles._

(_See also_ F.S. Regs., Part I, Chap. X.)

1. The extent to which tactical methods differ in small wars from those obtaining in regular campaigns varies widely in different cases.

In each instance the special characteristics, armament and tactics of the enemy must be considered, in addition to the nature of the country in which the operations are to take place, and the object in view. General indications, therefore, can alone be given as to the form which artillery tactics should assume.

2. The importance of impressing such foes as are met with in these campaigns with a feeling of inferiority cannot be overestimated. Consequently a bold offensive is generally adopted and every endeavour made to inflict serious loss on the enemy. Against opponents such as are met with in irregular warfare the moral effect of guns is very great, but without material effect, moral effect is like to be transitory. Sometimes it may be expedient merely to drive the enemy off by shell fire, but, as a rule, this should not be the primary object of the guns.

3. In irregular warfare, guns should generally be dispersed rather than concentrated, so as to bring effective fire to bear at any point where opportunities may present themselves. Moreover any artillery the enemy may possess will usually be inferior in numbers and certainly in training and efficiency, and therefore direct fire and shorter ranges than are usual in regular warfare should be employed. Against irregulars armed with rifles, who rely chiefly on fire action, covering fire from part of the artillery may be necessary, but a prolonged preparation of the attack may cause the enemy to disperse before the attack can be pushed home and is incompatible with anything in the nature of a surprise. The guns not used for covering fire should be pushed forward in order that when the enemy is finally driven out of his position he may be vigorously pursued by shell fire.