iii. To delay its advance, bring it to a standstill,

or prevent it resuming its advance.

These objects are not likely to be fulfilled unless the fire of the artillery is sufficiently accurate to cause the infantry loss. The losses inflicted should, however, be looked upon as the means to the end.

2. To facilitate the advance of its own infantry against the hostile infantry the enemy’s fire position must be subjected to an accurate and well distributed fire. The fire position, whether it be a trench, a series of trenches, a crest line, the edge of a wood or some other tactical feature, will seldom be a continuous straight line parallel to the front of the battery. The line may be broken and the range and angle of sight to various portions of it may vary.

When engaging irregular shaped targets, such as these, it is advisable, after obtaining a bracket on a portion of the target, to correct lines and range during battery fire, and to order individual guns or sections to add or drop the necessary number of yards.

This applies equally to other irregular targets besides infantry.

In the open “_section control_” may be desirable, if the target is wide and the line broken, but during the infantry advance bursts of fire should be in the hands of the battery commander.

Fire for effect should be arranged in bursts of section or battery fire during which the infantry may gain ground.

3. To cause hostile infantry in close formation to deploy requires rapid ranging, the obtaining of the best bracket possible in the shortest possible time and a rapid searching fire for effect within the limits of the bracket found.

If the appearance of formed bodies of hostile infantry in a certain locality has been foreseen and the zone has been registered the process of ranging may be dispensed with, and the full value of surprise effect may be obtained.

4. When the enemy’s infantry is still beyond the range of rifle fire it will endeavour to cross open spaces exposed to artillery fire as rapidly as possible in the least vulnerable formations. If these open spaces have been registered the advance of the infantry may be delayed and possibly prevented by establishing a belt of fire through which it must pass. This belt can be moved at will but if the enemy’s infantry is only visible at intervals, accurate prediction is required as to the places where it will be exposed to fire.

5. When the infantry comes under effective rifle fire it will be compelled to form firing lines in the best fire positions available. These positions should, if possible, be foreseen and the ranges ascertained. The method of engaging the infantry when it occupies these positions will be similar to that referred to above for supporting the advance against infantry in position. The essentials are accuracy and suitable distribution. The moral effect of a great volume of fire should be borne in mind. A rapid and intense fire for a short period may bring an advance to a standstill or prevent it being resumed. In a similar way infantry advancing by rushes in extended order may be stopped or driven to cover by bursts of fire.

6. The most intense fire possible should be employed to prevent the delivery of an assault.

7. Infantry advancing rapidly to counter-attack must be dealt with by rapid ranging and rapid fire for effect directed against the front line of the infantry and corrected as regards range and line in accordance with its movements. If the advance is checked a searching fire directed so as to include the supporting troops may be usefully employed.

=225.= _Machine guns._

1. Machine guns often form objectives of great tactical importance, and it may be necessary to subject them to a very intense fire in order to silence them. When employed in sections they present a target with a narrow front and accuracy of line is important. Only a sufficient number of guns for the purpose should therefore be employed. This would usually be a section. When entrenched it may be desirable to use howitzers with either shrapnel or lyddite or both against them.

2. The difficulty in dealing with machine guns in action lies in the facility with which they can be concealed. If they can be located accurate ranging for elevation and line are necessary and a few well placed rounds should either disable the detachments or drive them to cover. If they cannot be located accurately it may still be possible to obtain sufficient indication of their whereabouts to enable a wide bracket to be obtained. Searching fire between the limits of such a bracket must then be resorted to.

=226.= _Aircraft._

1. It is at present difficult to distinguish hostile from friendly aircraft, but this difficulty will probably decrease in the future as the aircraft of different nations tend to develop on distinctive lines.

The strictest control must be exercised over all fire directed against aircraft as indiscriminate fire may endanger neighbouring units and may disclose the position of the troops to the enemy’s observers.

2. To engage such objectives certain preparations should, if possible, be made beforehand. These preparations consist in digging trenches for the trails and in organizing flank observing parties with telephones. Some modification of the usual procedure is necessary owing to the variations which occur in height, range, and direction of these objects under different influences.

3. _Captive balloons or kites._--Efforts should be made to enclose such targets within the limits of a 500 or 600 yards bracket, employing a corrector which gives bursts near the line of sight. The layer must devote his attention to keeping the gun on the part of the target indicated.

Subsequently the bracket having been reduced and the corrector shortened, occasional rounds of gun fire should be fired, each section using a different elevation.

4. _Airships._--Provided an airship is not moving across the front at a rapid rate it may be engaged successfully in a similar manner. The principal points to be attended to are the establishment of a bracket, and the employment of a corrector, when fire for effect is being attempted, which will give high bursts. A similar procedure will be employed against aeroplanes.

=227.= EXAMPLES OF RANGING.

_Note._--These examples are only intended to illustrate the different methods of ranging.

The methods of engaging various objectives are described in Secs. =218= to =226=.

I.--_Example of “Collective Ranging.”_

(For all batteries except howitzer and heavy.)

Position of battery--Under cover. Target--6-gun battery in action in semi-covered position. Tops of shields visible from observing station.

+------+-------+------+-----+------------+--------------------------- | | | |Corr-| Observed. | | No. | No. | |ector+--+--+------+ | of | of | Elev-| or |+ |A |Height| Battery Commander’s |round.| Sub- |ation.|P.S. |or|or| of | Orders. | |section| | |- |G.|burst.| +------+-------+------+-----+--+--+------+--------------------------- | | | | | | | |“Guns in action.” | | | | | | | |“Angle of sight | | | | | | | | 1° 30′ elevation.” | | | | | | | |“Collective.” “Corrector | | | | | | | | 154.” | | | | | | | |“3400.” “Fire.” | 1 | 1 | 3400 | 154 |? |A | 20′ |“No. 1--30′ more right.”[23] | 2 | 2 | ” | ” |? |A | 20′ |“No. 2--1° more right.”[24] | 3 | 3 | ” | ” |+ |A | 5′ |“No. 3--30′ more right.”[25] | | | | | | | |“All guns 30′ more | | | | | | | | right.”[26] | | | | | | | |“Corrector 162.” “3100.” | 4 | 4 | 3100 | 162 |- |A | 5′ |“No. 4--10′ more left.”[27] +------+-------+------+-----+--+--+------+---------------------------

N.B.--Notes [23] and [24] apply to 6-gun batteries only. In 4-gun batteries individual corrections for line must be sent down _before_ the new corrector or elevation is given.

[23] These individual corrections are noted but will not be sent down to the battery, as one correction proves sufficient for all guns.

[24] These individual corrections are noted but will not be sent down to the battery, as one correction proves sufficient for all guns.

[25] These individual corrections are noted but will not be sent down to the battery, as one correction proves sufficient for all guns.

[26] As the correction is one for all guns it is sent down _before_ the new corrector and elevation.

[27] Individual corrections are noted but will not be sent down to the battery until the elevation for the next salvo has been given.

I.--_Example of “Collective Ranging”--continued._

------+-------+------+-----+------------+--------------------------- | | |Corr-| Observed. | No. | No. | |ector+--+--+------+ of | of |Elev- | or |+ |A |Height| Battery Commander’s round.| Sub- |ation.|P.S. |or|or| of | Orders. |section| | |- |G.|burst.| ------+-------+------+-----+--+--+------+--------------------------- 5 | 5 | 3100 | 162 |- |G | ... |“No. 5--20′ more right.”[28] 6 | 6 | ” | ” |- |G | ... |“3300.” 7 | 1 | 3300 | ” |- |A | 5′ | 8 | 2 | ” | ” |- |G | ... |“No. 2--20′ more right.” 9 | 3 | ” | ” |- |A | 5′ |“Corrector 158” “3350.” | | | | | | | “Battery fire 10 seconds.” 10 | 1 | 3350 | 158 |- |A | 10′ | 11 | 2 | ” | ” |+ |G | | 12 | 3 | ” | ” |- |A | 10′ | 13 | 4 | ” | ” |- |A | 5′ | 14 | 5 | ” | ” |- |A | 15′ | 15 | 6 | ” | ” |- |A | 10′ | 16 | 1 | ” | ” |- |A | 5′ | 17 | 2 | ” | ” |- |G | | 18 | 3 | ” | ” |- |A | 10′ |“5 seconds.” [29] ------+-------+------+-----+--+--+------+---------------------------

[28] Individual corrections are noted but will not be sent down to the battery until the elevation for the next salvo has been given.

[29] Line having been accurately found the battery commander varies his rate of fire to such speed as the tactical situation may demand.

II.--_Example of combined “Section” and “Collective Ranging.”_ (For all batteries except howitzer and heavy.)

Position of battery--Under Cover. Target--6-gun battery in action (visible). ------+-------+------+-----+----------------+------------------------ | | |Corr-| Observed. | No. | No. | |ector+---+---+--------+ of | of |Elev- | or | + |A | Height | Battery Commander’s round.| Sub- |ation.|P.S. |or |or | of | Orders. |section| | | - |G. | burst. | ------+-------+------+-----+---+---+--------+------------------------ | | | | | | |“Guns in action.” | | | | | | |“Angle of sight | | | | | | | 1° 30’ elevation.” | | | | | | |“Right Ranging.” | | | | | | | “ Percussion.”[30] | | | | | | |“45--42.” “Fire.” 1 | 1 | 4500 | P.S.| + |...| ... |“No. 1--30′ more right.” 2 | 2 | 4200 | ” | - |...| ... |“No. 2--30′ more right.” | | | | | | |“Remainder 30’ more | | | | | | | right.” | | | | | | |“Collective.” “Corrector | | | | | | | 154.” | | | | | { 20′ |“4300.” 3 | 1 | 4300 | 154 |...| A{ (Bullets| | | | | | { short).| 4 | 2 | ” | ” | ? | A | 20′ | 5 | 3 | ” | ” | - | A | 5′ |“Corrector 162.” “4400.” 6 | 4 | 4400 | 162 | + | A | 5′ |“No. 4--10′ more left.” 7 | 5 | ” | ” | + | G | ... |“No. 5--20′ more right.” 8 | 6 | ” | ” | + | G | ... |“Corrector 158.” “4350.” | | | | | | |“Battery Fire | | | | | | | 10 seconds.” 9 | 1 | 4350 | 158 | - | A | 10′ | 10 | 2 | ” | ” | - | A | 10′ | 11 | 3 | ” | ” | + | G | ... |“No. 3--10′ more left.” 12 | 4 | ” | ” | - | A | 10′ | 13 | 5 | ” | ” | - | A | 5′ | 14 | 6 | ” | ” | - | A | 10′ |“Section fire | | | | | | | 10 seconds.”[31] ------+-------+------+-----+---+---+--------+------------------------

[30].--NOTES Or “Corrector 154.” “45--42.”

[31].--Or “Battery fire ... seconds.”

III.--_Example of “Section Ranging.”_ (For all batteries.)

Position of battery--In the open, supporting an infantry attack. Target--A trench clearly visible from the battery. The trench, its extent and the portion allotted to each section are communicated to the section commanders.

------+-----+------+----+-------------------+----------------------- | No. | |Cor-| Observed. | No. | of |Eleva-|rec-+-----+---+---------+ of |Sub- |tion. |tor | + | A | Height | Battery Commander’s round.|sec- | | or | or |or | of | Orders. |tion.| |P.S.| - | G.| burst. | ------+-----+------+----+-----+---+---------+----------------------- | | | | | | |“Open Sights” (or | | | | | | | “Telescope sights”). | | | | | | | “Right ranging.” | | | | | | | “Percussion.”[32] | | | | | | |“28--25.” “10 | | | | | | | seconds.”[33] 1 | 1 | 2800 |P.S.| + |...| ... |“Section Commanders | | | | | | | correct for line.” 2 | 2 | 2500 | “ | - |...| ... |”27--26.“ ”2 | | | | | | | seconds.“[34] 3 | 1 | 2700 | ” | + |...| ... | 4 | 2 | 2600 | “ | + |...| ... |”26--25.” 5 | 1 | 2600 | “ | + |...| ... | 6 | 2 | 2500 | ” | - |...| ... |“Corrector 144” | | | | | | | “2550.” “Battery | | | | | | | Fire, 10 seconds.”[35] ------+-----+------+----+-----+---+---------+-----------------------

[32] Or “Corrector 152”--“28--25.”

[33] Interval suitable to time of flight is ordered as the battery is firing over the heads of its own infantry which is approaching the objective.

[34] The battery commander is satisfied that his infantry is in no danger from his fire, so he shortens the interval.

[35] As battery commander is not certain that the whole extent of the target is parallel to the front of the battery, he orders a longer interval in order that he may correct the range of individual guns if necessary.

III.--_Example of “Section Ranging”--continued._

------+-----+------+----+-------------------+------------------------ | No. | |Cor-| Observed. | No. | of |Eleva-|rec-+-----+---+---------+ of |Sub- |tion. |tor | + | A | Height | Battery Commander’s round.|sec- | | or | or |or | of | Orders. |tion.| |P.S.| - | G.| burst. | ------+-----+------+----+-----+---+---------+------------------------ 7 | 1 | 2550 |144 | ... | A | 5’ | 8 | 2 | ” | “ | + | G | ... | 9 | 3 | ” | ” | - | G | ... |“Corrector 138.” 10 | 4 | ” |138 | ... | A | 10′ | | | | | | |{ 10′ | 11 | 5 | ” | “ | ... | A |{(Bullets| | | | | | |{ over) | | | | | | | | | | | | | |{ 10′ | 12 | 6 | ” | ” | ... | A |{(Bullets| “Left section drop 50.” | | | | | |{ over) | 13 | 1 | ” | “ | ... | A | 10′ | 14 | 2 | ” |... |Range| G | ... | 15 | 3 | ” |... | ... | A | 10′ | 16 | 4 | ” |... | ... | A | 5′ | 17 | 5 | 2500 |... | ... | A | 10′ | 18 | 6 | ” |... | ... | A | 10′ | 19 | 1 | 2550 |... | ... | A | 10′ |”2 seconds.“[36] 20} | | | | | | | to} | ... | ... |... | ... |...| ... |”20 seconds.“[37] 40} | | | | | | | ------+-----+------+----+-----+---+---------+------------------------

[36] Battery commander sees that his infantry is checked, so orders a burst of fire.

[37] Battery commander seeing that his own infantry has been helped to advance, as desired, comes back to a slow rate.

IV.--_Example of engaging advancing (or retiring) infantry._

Position of battery--In observation under cover, with orders to delay the advance of hostile infantry in a certain zone. Ground has been registered.

Target--Lines of infantry. The angle of sight to a point towards which they are advancing has been previously registered as 20’ depression, the range as 3,650 yards.

------+-----+------+----+--------------+---------------------------- | No. | |Cor-| Observed. | No. | of |Eleva-|rec-+---+---+------+ of |Sub- |tion. |tor | + | A |Height| Battery Commander’s round.|sec- | | or |or |or | of | Orders. |tion.| |P.S.| - | G.|burst.| ------+-----+------+----+---+---+------+---------------------------- | | | | | | |“All guns 3° more right.” | | | | | | |“Angle of sight | | | | | | | 20′ depression.” | | | | | | |“Right ranging.” | | | | | | |“Percussion.”[38] | | | | | | |“37--36.” “Fire.” 1 | 1 | 3700 |P.S.| + | | | 2 | 2 | 3600 | “ | - |...| ... |”All guns 1° more right.” | | | | | | |“Corrector 146.” | | | | | | |“3650.” “One round battery | | | | | | | fire 10 seconds.” 3 | 1 | 3650 |146 | - | A | 10′ | 4 | 2 | ” | “ | - | G | ... |”No. 2--20′ more right.” 5 | 3 | ” | “ | - | A | 15′ | 6 | 4 | ” | ” | - | A | 10′ | 7 | 5 | ” | “ | + | G | ... |”No. 5--10′ mere left.” 8 | 6 | ” | “ | - | A | 5′ |[39] ------+-----+------+----+---+---+------+----------------------------

[38]--Or “Corrector 154.”

[39]--Battery commander has now corrected his lines and has established a “belt” of fire parallel to the front of his guns, through which the infantry must pass. In this example lines are not opened out. The whole “belt” can be shifted up and down, right or left, as the subsequent movement of the enemy may dictate, and a quick rate of battery or section fire can be employed as necessary.

V.--_Example of “Section Ranging.”_ (Howitzer battery. Ranging in degrees.)

Position of battery--Under cover, supporting an infantry attack. Target--A trench. Battery commander issues instructions for obtaining the line of fire. Range-takers range 3300.

LEGEND: A = No. of Subsection B = Elevation. C = Projectile. D = Corrector. ------+-------+------+-----+----+-------------------+--------------- | | | | | Observed. | No. | A | B | C | D +--+-----+---+------+ of | | | | |+ | |A |Height| Battery round.| | | | |or|Line.|or | of | Commander’s | | | | |- | |G. |burst.| Orders. ------+-------+------+-----+----+--+-----+---+------+--------------- | | | | | | | | |“Trench.” | | | | | | | | |“Angle of | | | | | | | | | sight.......” | | | | | | | | |“Right ranging | | | | | | | | | lyddite.[40] | | | | | | | | | 3rd charge.” | | | | | | | | |“26°--23°, fire.” 1 | 1 | 26° | L |... |+ |Left | | | 2 | 2 | 23° | L |... |- | ” |...| ... |“All guns 1° | | | | | | | | | more right.” | | | | | | | | | “25°--24°.” 3 | 1 | 25° | L |... |+ |Right|...| ... |“No. 1--20’ | | | | | | | | | more left.” 4 | 2 | 24° | L |... |- |Line |...| ... |“Repeat.” “Time | | | | | | | | | shrapnel.” 5 | 1 | 25° | L |... |+ | ” | | | 6 | 2 | 24° | L |... |- | ” |...| ... |“Échelon 140.” | | | | | | | | | “24° 30′.” 7 | 1 |24°30′| T.S.|140 |? | ” | A | 60′ | 8 | 2 | ” | ” |150 |+ | ” | A | 40′ | 9 | 3 | ” | ” |160 |? |Right| A | 10′ |“No. 3--1° more | | | | | | | | | left.”[41] | | | | | | | | |“Corrector 154, | | | | | | | | | one round | | | | | | | | | battery fire.” 10 | 1 | ” | ” |154 |- |Line | G | | 11 | 2 | ” | ” | “ |- | ” | A | | 12 | 3 | ” | ” | ” |? |Left | A | ... |“No. 3--20′ more | | | | | | | | | right.”[42] 13 | 4 | ” | ” | “ |? |Right| A | ... |”No. 4--30′ | | | | | | | | | more left.” 14 | 5 | ” | ” | “ |+ |Line | A | | 15 | 6 | ” | ” | ” |+ | ” | G | ... |“Section fire | | | | | | | | | 40 secs.” ------+-------+----------+------+--+-----+---+------+---------------

NOTES.--With 3rd Charge 1° elevation = 85 yards. With 3rd Charge 50% zone = 45 yards.

[40] Or “Right ranging, 3rd Charge, Corrector 150, 26°--23°. fire.”

[41] Splash of bullets visible.

[42] Splash of bullets visible.

VI.--_Example of “Single Gun Ranging.”_ (Heavy battery.)

Position of battery--Under cover. Target--Guns in open. Battery commander issues instructions for obtaining parallel lines of fire.

------+-------+------+-----+----+-------------------+--------------- | No. | | | | Observed. | No. | of |Eleva-|Pro- |Cor-+--+-----+---+------+ of |Subsec-|tion. |jec- |rec-|+ | |A |Height| Battery round.| tion | |tile.|tor.|or|Line.|or | of | Commander’s | | | | |- | |G. |burst.| Orders. ------+-------+------+-----+----+--+-----+---+------+--------------- | | | | | | | | |“Guns in action.” | | | | | | | | |“Angle of sight | | | | | | | | | --1° 30′” | | | | | | | | | elevation.” | | | | | | | | |“No. 1 ranging.” | | | | | | | | |“Lyddite.” | | | | | | | | |“6800.” “Fire.” 1 | 1 | 6800 | L | |+ |Left | | |“All guns 20′ | | | | | | | | | more right.” | | | | | | | | |“6500.” 2 | 1 | 6500 | L | |- |Line | | |“6700.” 3 | 1 | 6700 | P.S.| |- | ” | | |“6800.” 4 | 1 | 6800 | ” | |+ | ” | | |“6700.” “Time | | | | | | | | | shrapnel.” 5 | 1 | 6700 | ” | |+ | ” | | |“Échelon 140.” | | | | | | | | | “6700.” | | | | | | | | | 6 | 1 | ” | T.S.|140 |? | ” | A | 40′ | 7 | 2 | ” | ” |150 |- |Left | A | 10′ |“No. 2--30′ | | | | | | | | | more right.” 8 | 3 | ” | ” |160 |+ | ” | G | |“No. 3--20′ | | | | | | | | | more right.” | | | | | | | | |“Corrector 146.” | | | | | | | | | “One | | | | | | | | | round battery | | | | | | | | | fire.” 9 | 1 | ” | ” |146 |- |Line | A | 30′ | 10 | 2 | ” | ” | “ |+ | ” | A | 20′ | 11 | 3 | ” | ” | ” |- | ” | A | 10′ | 12 | 4 | ” | ” | “ |? |Left | A | 25′ |”No. 4--10′ | | | | | | | | | more right.” | | | | | | | | |“Section fire, | | | | | | | | | 40 seconds.” ------+-------+------+-----+----+--+-----+---+------+---------------

CHANGE OF POSITION.

=228.= _To advance._

1. The alternative methods are as follows, that adopted depending upon the circumstances of the moment.

i. The battery commander orders “PREPARE TO ADVANCE” and issues his instructions to the battery leader. The captain orders up the gun limbers followed by the first line wagons. As these approach the position the battery commander orders “CEASE FIRING,” “FRONT (OR REAR) LIMBER UP.” The firing battery wagons remain on the position and are removed under the orders of the captain.