ii. If it is proposed to advance with the firing battery

wagons the battery commander orders “WITH FIRING BATTERY WAGONS PREPARE TO ADVANCE.” Procedure is similar to that in i., except that the teams (or limbers, if wagons have been unlimbered) of the firing battery wagons are sent up in the place of the first line wagons.

iii. The battery commander orders “PREPARE TO LIMBER UP,” and issues instructions to the battery leader and section commanders. The guns are run back to cover by hand and limbered up independently under the supervision of section commanders. The captain directs the first line wagons under charge of a non-commissioned officer to the position of assembly (Sec. =195= (5)), and sends up each limber to its gun as soon as he sees that it is required. When limbered up each gun proceeds independently to the position of assembly, where it is formed up by the non-commissioned officer in charge of the first line wagons. The firing battery wagons are left on the position to be removed under the orders of the captain as circumstances permit.

In a covered position it will generally be possible to adopt methods i. or ii.

In an open or semi-covered position a cessation of hostile fire may permit of method i., but more often it will be necessary to adopt method iii.

On occasions it may be advisable to move a portion of the battery covered by the fire of the remaining guns.

=229.= _To retire._

1. When a retirement is contemplated the battery commander informs the captain of his intentions, specifying the general direction to be followed, and, should he intend the battery to come into action again, the approximate locality of the new position. He will also give orders as to whether the first line wagons are to accompany or precede the battery in the retirement. The captain arranges for the movement of the first line wagons accordingly.

Two alternative methods of carrying out the retirement are given, that adopted depending upon the circumstances of the case, and being subject to modifications if the battery is under heavy hostile fire.

i. The battery commander orders “PREPARE TO RETIRE” and issues his instructions to the battery leader. The captain orders up the gun limbers, followed by the teams (or limbers, if wagons have been unlimbered) of the firing battery wagons. As these approach the position the battery commander orders “CEASE FIRING,” “REAR (OR FRONT) LIMBER UP.”

ii. The battery commander orders “TO RETIRE, PREPARE TO LIMBER UP,” and issues any necessary instructions to the battery leader and section commanders. A few rounds are taken from each wagon and laid on the ground beside the gun. The firing battery wagons are run back under cover by hand. Their teams (or limbers, if wagons have been unlimbered) are then sent up by the captain as required, and the wagons driven to the position of assembly. As soon as the battery commander sees that the firing battery wagons are clear, he orders “CEASE FIRING,” and the guns are run back by hand and limbered up as in method iii., Sec. =228=.

It may sometimes be advisable to withdraw a portion of the battery covered by the fire of the remaining guns.

Should it be intended to come into action again, the captain (or a section commander), as soon as his duties allow, accompanied by the range-takers, and such other members of the battery headquarters as can be spared, proceeds to reconnoitre and select the new position.

In a covered position it will generally be possible to adopt method i.

In an open or semi-covered position a cessation of hostile fire may permit of method i., but more often it wall be necessary to adopt method ii.

REPLACEMENT OF CASUALTIES.

=230.= _Casualties on the move._

1. If during an advance or retirement a wagon becomes separated from its gun, the gun will proceed and come into action with the battery. The wagon will drive up into its place as soon as it is able to catch up, or in case of a serious breakdown, the captain will send up a wagon from the first line wagons. Till the arrival of the wagon, ammunition will be obtained from the wagon limber of the other gun of the section.

Should a casualty occur to a gun, the damage should, when possible, be made good from its wagon.

2. In mountain artillery, if a firing battery mule becomes a casualty, its load will at once be transferred to the relief mule, another relief mule to replace this one being immediately ordered up from the first line mules. It will sometimes save delay, when the distance to the position for action is short, to bring up the load by hand.

=231.= _Casualties in action._

1. The following rules refer to the immediate replacement of casualties in action. They do not preclude other arrangements being subsequently made by superior authority. (_See also_ Handbook of the gun.)

1. Casualties are replaced by the next senior as soon as circumstances permit. All ranks must, therefore, know what duties they will perform in the event of casualties occurring.