CHAPTER IX.

BATTERY TACTICS.

=190.= _General instructions._

1. The battery is the fire unit, except in heavy artillery, in which, each section being self-contained, the battery or the section is the fire unit according to circumstances. To enable effective fire to be brought to bear in the shortest possible time on such objectives as the tactical situation may require, correct observation and promptness of decision on the part of the battery commander are as essential as a high standard of fire discipline throughout the battery.

2. By fire discipline is meant not only careful attention to all the details of drill when in action, but also ready response to the signals and orders of all superiors. It demands, in addition, endurance of the enemy’s fire, even when no reply is possible.

3. The battery commander should be allowed latitude as regards the choice of objectives within the task allotted to him, which may be wide or circumscribed. (_See_ Sec. =184= (2).) If the battery commander assumes the responsibility of departing from his allotted task he must be prepared to justify his action, which should be reported at once to the brigade commander.

4. The principles which guide a commander in applying the fire of his battery in different circumstances should be known to all officers and non-commissioned officers.

5. When a battery is acting independently, its commander is responsible not only for its fire action, but for those other duties which are described under the head of brigade tactics, In this case it may be desirable for the commander to devote his whole attention to watching the tactical situation, and to leave the conduct or fire to the next senior officer; this may sometimes be advisable even when the battery is in brigade,

6. For manœuvre the battery is divided into:--

The firing battery. The first line wagons.

The “_firing battery_” consists of 6 guns and 6 ammunition wagons, except in the case of 4-gun batteries, when it consists of 4 guns and 4 wagons. The wagon of the firing battery always accompanies its gun.

The “_first line wagons_” consist of the remainder of the ammunition wagons authorized to accompany a battery. In Q.F. batteries these are 6 in number.

The 1st line mules of a mountain battery correspond to the 1st line wagons of a field battery for the purpose of manœuvre. References to the procedure of the 1st line wagons in the succeeding paragraphs apply therefore to the 1st line mules of mountain batteries. (_See also_ Sec. =125= (8).)

=191.= _Preparation for action._

1. The object of preparation for action is to minimise as far as possible the pause between coming into action and opening fire. The exact time and place for this cannot be laid down. If the enemy is likely to be met it is advisable to prepare for action before the march commences; if this has not been done a short halt will be necessary for the purpose.

2. When preparing for action the firing battery will be separated from the first line wagons which will be formed up by the captain as may be most convenient. If preparation for action takes place while in column of route on a road, the 1st line wagons will follow in rear of the battery when it moves oil, but if the road is narrow it may be better to delay the separation of the firing battery from the 1st line wagons, in order to avoid blocking the road.

=192.= _Reconnaissance of a position._

1. The battery commander, as soon as he receives his orders, rides forward to the brigade commander accompanied by not more than two of his headquarters. The latter should remain under cover while the battery commander is receiving his instructions, when they proceed with him to reconnoitre the position for the battery.

It may also be advisable for the battery commander to take a section commander with him. This officer should be accompanied by a signaller and horseholder with director, and he can then be utilized to select the actual position for the guns, to convey any information required to the battery leader, and to mark the line of fire, should the battery commander remain at his observing station.

2. The remainder of the battery headquarters, including the observation wagon will follow at the head of the battery until they are required by the battery commander, who will then send for such portions of the headquarters as he requires before the arrival of the battery. They should then be brought up under suitable command, care being taken to make use of any available cover, so as not to attract the attention of the enemy. For the same reason they should not follow the battery commander on to the actual position, nor should ranges be taken from it.

3. The first object of this reconnaissance, if a position under cover is to be occupied, should be the selection and occupation of the observing station (_see_ Sec. =199=), the concealment of which from the enemy is of great importance. The battery commander must then decide on the approximate position for the guns, ascertain that the trajectory will clear the crest, settle how the position is to be occupied and mark the line of fire, unless he delegates this duty to the section commander, who may have accompanied him. He must also decide whether he will use his observation wagon or not, and must give orders as to the placing of the wagon, with a view to its concealment, as far as possible, from all portions of the enemy’s position.

4. In estimating the amount of cover that will be necessary, regard must be paid to the general tactical situation. Defilade from the immediate objective is not sufficient. All ground in occupation of the enemy from which fire may be observed and controlled should receive consideration.

5. The orders issued to the battery commander will, as a rule, include instructions as to the position to be occupied.

A battery position may be either an “_open position_,” a “_semi-covered position_” or a “_covered position_.”

6. An “_open position_” is one in which the objective can be seen over the sights and in which direct laying is possible. In such positions the guns may or may not be exposed to the enemy’s view before fire is opened. If they can be concealed up to the moment of opening fire the value of surprise effect may be gained coupled with good facilities for control of fire, for distribution, and for dealing with movement. When once located accurately by the enemy the guns are fully exposed to the effects of hostile fire, and in conditions favourable to the enemy are liable to destruction by direct hits and by oblique fire.

7. A “_semi-covered position_” is one in which it is necessary to employ indirect laying but in which the degree of cover obtained is insufficient to conceal the flashes of the guns or the dust raised by them after fire has been opened. Such positions, as a rule, enable direct control by voice to be used. As compared with covered positions they facilitate the engaging of fresh objectives, and if required the guns can be run up to the crest. Heavy manual labour is sometimes necessitated in their occupation. Searching fire may be effective against such positions.

8. A “_covered position_”[15] is one in which the guns and their flashes are completely concealed from the enemy and in which it is necessary to use indirect laying. Such positions confer immunity from fire, but they increase the difficulty of control, frequently necessitating artificial means of communication such as telephones, signalling and the use of plotters. For this reason they increase the difficulties of engaging fresh objectives and of dealing with movement.

[15] NOTE.--In normal circumstances the amount of cover necessary to hide the flashes is about 13 feet for field guns, and 20 feet for howitzers and heavy guns.

=193.= _Methods of occupying a position._

1. There are two methods of occupying a position:--

i. The ordinary. ii. The special.

=The words ordinary and special apply to the method by which the battery is brought to the firing position and have no reference to cover, concealment, or the method of fire.=

_The ordinary method._

2. The battery commander having completed his reconnaissance and selected the exact position for the battery, places himself where its centre will halt for action, the battery serjeant-major marking the prolongation of the line of fire at least 50 yards in his rear. The battery commander will use his discretion as to whether he and his serjeant-major, or he alone, should dismount while marking the line of fire, but he must ensure that they are both visible to the officer leading the battery.

3. This will be the procedure in an open position when the battery commander intends to command from the centre of the battery, but if he decides to command from a flank the line of fire may be marked by the battery serjeant-major and another man, or by any other means so long as the battery leader understands them. In many cases instead of marking the line of fire it may be preferable to mark where the flanks of the battery will rest.

The battery is then led up, halted and brought into action by the battery leader.

4. When the battery commander is at an observing station some distance from the battery the exact position for the guns may be chosen by the battery leader, or by the section commander, who accompanies the battery commander in his reconnaissance, see Sec. =192= (1). The battery leader or the section commander with the battery commander assisted by a signaller marks the line of fire for the battery, or the position where its flanks will rest. The battery leader brings the battery into action. The officer who chooses the position for the guns is responsible that the battery commander’s observation station shall not be within the danger angle of the guns when in action. To ensure that the observing station shall not be within the danger angle (Sec. =197= (3)) the battery commander should after laying his director on the target or on the centre of the zone allotted to him, swing it round through an angle of 120° towards the position for the battery. The battery must not be behind this line, which allows for a subsequent switch of about 15°.

5. _On rough ground_ the Nos. 1 should be sufficiently ahead to enable them to select the best platforms for their guns. They must be careful to halt their guns on the selected spots, for which purpose it may be advisable for them to dismount. They should not, however, be so far ahead that they prematurely disclose the position.

6. A covered position should be occupied by the ordinary method if the cover is sufficient to completely conceal the guns and teams while coming into action.

If the nature of the ground compels the battery to adopt a column formation till the position itself is nearly reached, and it is important to open fire without delay, guns may be brought into action by sections, or even singly.

_The special method._

7. This method should only be employed when it is impracticable to occupy the position by the ordinary method.

The battery commander, having chosen his position of observation, selects or indicates a position for the battery in action and a preliminary position under cover and close in rear, and sends his serjeant-major, or section commander if he has one with him, to guide the battery to it.

8. The battery commander then gives the order “SECTION COMMANDERS (mounted or dismounted, as the case may be), ONE AIMING POST.” The section commanders, with an aiming post for each of their guns, fall out to the battery commander, who points out to them the target, general alignment of the battery and position of one gun. They then mark with an aiming post the exact spot for each of their guns according to the accidents of the ground, care being taken to avoid danger angles. (_See_ Sec. =197= (3).)

If the soil renders the planting of aiming posts difficult, the layers may be fallen out to mark the positions the guns will occupy.

As soon as these arrangements are completed each section commander brings his section into action by the simplest method.

9. When using the special method in a semi-covered position, in order to avoid exposing the battery, the guns and wagons should be driven as near the position as possible, and run up the remainder of the distance by hand. It may sometimes be advisable to bring up the carriages with wheel horses only, leaving all other horses under cover.

10. In the case of guns not fitted with the No. 7 dial sight care must be taken when occupying a semi-covered position to select an aiming point which can be laid on from round to round, as the planting of aiming posts might disclose the position to the enemy. If it is found necessary to plant aiming posts, care should be taken that the men planting them are not exposed.

11. When using the special method in a covered position it should be possible to drive the guns to the position they will occupy by following the line formed by the aiming posts, and coming into action right or left. After the guns are in position, the wagons should be driven as near as possible to the position they ought to occupy. Drivers should not be dismounted to lead their horses if there is any danger of coming under fire.

12. This method has many advantages for heavy artillery, where platforms are all important, and the guns difficult to man handle.

=194.= _Orders._

1. The battery commander should give section commanders as much information as possible before bringing the guns into action, in order to eliminate as far as possible the pause that takes place after the guns are unlimbered and before fire is opened.

2. He must clearly point out or indicate the target and extent to be engaged by each section when visible, and the aiming point or reference point (if one is used).

His orders must also include:--

The angle of sight, or the sight to be used. The method of ranging. The nature of projectile, if necessary. The corrector settings, if necessary. The first elevation or elevations. The interval, if required. If under cover, the order to fire.

These orders should always be given out in the above sequence.

3. The following abbreviated words of command will be used:--

Collective for Collective ranging. Right ranging ” Right section ranging. No. 1 ranging ” No. 1 gun ranging. Fire ” Commence firing. Stop ” Stop firing. Corrector ” Time shrapnel corrector. Échelon ” Échelon corrector.

4. To avoid mistakes and for the sake of uniformity the elevation will be ordered as shown in the following examples:--

1,000 yards “One thousand.” 1,800 ” “Eighteen hundred.” 1,950 ” “Nineteen fifty.” 2,000 ” “Two thousand.” 2,100 ” “Two one hundred.” 2,350 ” “Two three fifty.”

If two ranges are ordered at the same time the order would be as follows:--

1,800-1,500 yards “Eighteen hundred, fifteen hundred.” 2,400-2,100 ” “Two four, two one,” 5,000-4,700 ” “Five thousand, four seven.”

5. Corrector settings will be ordered as shown in the following examples:--

136 “One three six.” 150 “One five o.”

6. Angles from an aiming point will be ordered as shown in the following examples:--

80 degrees “Eight o degrees.” 58 ” “Five eight degrees.”

=195.= _Advance for action._

1. The senior section commander with the battery leads it, and the captain directs the movements of the first line wagons, which will be led by a non-commissioned officer detailed by him, communication between the two being kept up by means of the mounted non-commissioned officers of the wagon line.

2. The directions for the maintenance of communication between the brigade commander and his brigade, for the leading of a brigade and for the employment of ground scouts (_see_ Secs. =181=, =182= and =183=) are applicable to a battery acting by itself. The officer leading the battery must avoid pressing on the battery commander during his reconnaissance, and should not lead the battery on to the position until he sees that the line of fire has been marked, if it is to come into action by the ordinary method. If the special method is to be employed he will receive instructions as to the preliminary position to be occupied. (_See_ Sec. =193= (7).)

3. Section commanders and Nos. 1 when advancing in line will ride ahead of their guns to select the best ground and to give warning of obstacles.

It is the duty of section commanders to dismount their detachments if necessary.

4. The first line wagons conform to the movements of the firing battery. The distance to be maintained between the firing battery and the first line wagons cannot be laid down, but should not, as a rule, exceed half a mile. The captain must go forward and obtain information, as soon as possible, as to the intended position of the battery, in order to select a position for the wagon line, which offers facilities for the supply of ammunition, and where the men and horses will be under cover.

To avoid searching fire directed at the firing battery, the position of the wagon line should be to a flank, or if directly in rear of the guns not less than 400 yards distant.

If it is impossible to obtain cover for the whole wagon line in one place, the captain must use his discretion as to how best he can sub-divide it.

In selecting the position for the wagon line the captain must be careful not to block lateral communication, or the lines of advance of troops in rear, nor must he endeavour to forestall another battery in a position which more naturally belongs to the latter. Easy access to his own battery is essential.

5. As soon as the battery is in action he will select alternative positions of assembly for possible use when changing position (_See_ Sec. =228= (1) iii and Sec. =229= (1) ii).

=196.= _To come into action._

(_See also_ Secs. =65=, =66=, and =233=.)

1. _Horse artillery._--On approaching the position the wagons do not drop back unless ordered to do so, but on the command “ACTION FRONT” are at once driven up alongside their guns, halting with their axletrees one yard in rear of the axletrees of the gun and 6 inches to a flank. They are then unlimbered (unless otherwise ordered) by No. 6, who lowers the perch to the ground at the same time giving “LIMBER DRIVE ON.” The limbers reverse to their left and go to the place selected for the 1st line wagons, forming up in front of their own gun limbers.

2. One of the wagon limbers of the firing battery may be utilized to give protection to the battery headquarters and will be placed where ordered by the battery commander. Instructions to this effect must be sent to the battery before it arrives on the position.

As soon as the limbers and teams are clear, they will proceed to the wagon line under the direction of the captain, who, however, will not wait to collect them, but will indicate the direction they should take and allow all horses to get clear as soon as possible.

3. All led horses except those accompanying the teams go at once to the wagon line independently.

4. Detachments should remain as far as possible under cover of the shields and unnecessary movement in the battery must be avoided, as such movement may enable the enemy to locate the position of the guns. If, however, the guns are in action on a forward slope it will usually be necessary to dig in the trails.

5. _Field artillery._--On approaching the position the wagons will drop back about 10 yards in rear of the guns. As soon as the trail of each gun is on the ground, its wagon will drive up on its left and halt with the axletree of the wagon body one yard in rear of the axletree of the gun and not more than 6 inches to a flank, in order to obtain the full benefit of the shields. Wagons may, however, be placed on the right of guns by order of the section commander, when he considers it advisable. In either case the wagon teams will be immediately unhooked.

When the battery is coming into action under cover and the line of fire has to be obtained, the wagons should not drive up to their guns until the latter are in the correct line.

The procedure of the wagon limber for the protection of the battery commander, and of teams, led horses and detachments will be similar to that laid down above for horse artillery.

In special cases, the wagons of the firing battery may be unlimbered.

The approximate positions[16] of individuals and led horses not mentioned in the handbook of the gun are as shown in Fig. 29.

The position of the wagon line in the figure has no reference to the position of the battery.

The 2nd trumpeter, farrier, and shoeing-smith will be used as desirable to maintain communication between the firing battery and 1st line wagons.

6. _Howitzer and heavy batteries._--The procedure is as described above for field gun batteries, except that 2 yards must be left between guns and wagons in the case of 5“ B.L. howitzers and 1 yard in the case of heavy batteries, for the free working of the guns in action, and in howitzer and heavy batteries the centre of the perch should be in line with the gun axletree.[17]

7. _Mountain batteries._--On the command “ACTION FRONT,” the guns are unlimbered and brought into action just in front of the wheel and axle[18] mule of each subsection. The mules move off to the rear independently as each is unloaded, and proceed to join the 1st line mules under the direction of the captain. The ammunition boxes of the firing battery are placed on the ground immediately to the left of the gun, unless cover is available close by.

[16] Ground scouts’ horses will also be with the wagon line.

[17] In batteries armed with 4·7-inch Q.F. guns the wagons will be placed 2 yards to the left flank and 10 yards in rear of the trail eye, poles to the rear.

[18] Axle mule in the case of the 10-pr. B.L. gun.

Sometimes a suitable position for the firing battery mules can be obtained under cover in close proximity to the battery, where it is inconvenient to bring, or there is not sufficient space to accommodate, all the 1st line mules as well. In such cases the captain will select another position for the 1st line mules further to the rear, and only order up such extra ammunition mules to join the firing battery mules as are necessary to ensure facility of ammunition supply.

=197.= _Duties of officers, &c., in action._

1. _Battery commander._--The battery commander controls and directs the fire of the battery.

2. _Captain._--The captain commands the 1st line wagons and in action controls the vehicles and horses of the firing battery. He is responsible for the supply of ammunition to the firing battery and for seeing that the wagon line is kept filled with ammunition. It is his duty to arrange for the replacement of casualties in men, horses, and _matériel_ (_see_ Sec. =230= _et seq._), and to select positions of assembly (_see_ Sec. =195= (5)). To carry out these duties in action the captain must be as much as possible in personal communication with the firing battery; when he is not with the line of guns he will leave one of his assistants with the firing battery to carry orders to him. The commander of a wagon line situated on an exposed flank is responsible for taking measures for protecting the wagon line (_see_ Sec. =148= (5)).

3. _Section commanders._--Section commanders will place themselves where they can best see and hear the battery commander and will only move about their sections when necessary for the supervision of their command. In ordinary circumstances each should be in rear of the wagon of his section which is the nearer to the battery commander.

They will acknowledge the battery commander’s orders by saluting. When the orders cannot be heard throughout the battery they are to be passed from one section commander to the next, not repeated simultaneously. Each section commander is responsible that the next section commander receives the order. If in giving an order the battery commander makes an obvious verbal slip, it is the duty of the section commander nearest to him to draw his attention to it.

They are responsible that their guns are laid in the direction ordered. When the target is visible from the battery, they will give alterations in deflection to their guns when ordered to do so by the battery commander.

They are responsible that their guns are not fired when within the danger angle, _i.e._, the line of fire of any gun must not make a less angle than 45 degrees with a line joining its muzzle and the muzzle of any other gun.

In firing from behind cover they must ascertain that the trajectory will clear the crest (_see_ Sec. =121=), running their guns up or back as necessary without waiting for orders if slight alterations only are required, but informing the battery commander if a considerable change of position is necessary.

Before reporting a gun out of action or a casualty to any part of the equipment of their section, section commanders must first ascertain personally whether it is possible to repair the damage with the means at their immediate disposal in the firing line; if not, application should be made to the captain. No casualty should be reported to the battery commander during ranging, unless it is of a permanent nature or likely to interfere with the process of ranging.

4. _Observing officer, heavy artillery._--He is responsible for the efficiency of the observing parties in all respects.

5. _Battery serjeant-major._--The battery serjeant-major supervises the placing of the battery commander’s limber or observation wagon, and the work of the battery headquarters.

During ranging he reports the number of each gun as it is fired, if the battery commander wishes him to do so; reports prematures, and calls the attention of the battery commander to verbal slips or omissions. (_See_ =210= (3).)

He will be frequently used to pass the battery commander’s orders, but if desired some other man from the battery headquarters may be employed for this purpose instead of him. The megaphone should be used when necessary.

If the battery commander becomes a casualty the battery serjeant-major must be in a position to give all information as to the situation, target, and point on which lines of fire were laid out, &c., to the new battery commander, and to carry on until he arrives.

6. _Nos. 1._--Nos. 1 are responsible for the correct service of their guns. They will see that the correct angle of sight has been put on, and will order the necessary allowance in deflection for difference in level of wheels. They will acknowledge all orders relating to their guns by saluting, and when difficulty is experienced in passing orders they should assist.

If a section commander is temporarily absent from his section or occupied with damaged equipment, the senior No. 1 not engaged with him must act for him.

=198.= _Laying out the line of fire._

(a) _In a covered position._

1. If the target can be seen from the vicinity of the position selected for the battery to come into action, or its direction obtained from the flashes of the enemy’s guns, from a map, or from patrols, &c., the battery commander, or the section commander who has accompanied him in his reconnaissance, marks the line by planting two aiming posts.

2. The battery having been brought into action on the selected position, lines of fire in the direction of the target can be obtained by one of the following methods:--