70 TARGET PRACTICE IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 



of tlie practice of the troops of his corps at the camps as well 

 as in their garrisons. The minister of war designates each 

 year the camp at which each regiment will perform its target 

 practice. A regiment of field artillery puts in twenty-five 

 days at its camp. 



Generals whose commands comprise artillery, brigadier 

 generals who in all likelihood will reach such commands, and 

 certain staff ofiicers, are permitted to attend and be instructed 

 at these exercises. 



It may be said in general that the instruction of the field 

 artillery in target practice is most businesslike and thorough, 

 and that one object alone is kept in view, viz, to get quickly 

 into action after thoughtful and exact preparation, and then 

 to reach the target immediately. The education to this end 

 is minute, but not a projectile is^ fired in practice until the 

 theoretical instruction and the fire drills (1 a, h, c, d) have 

 taught every grade what he is to do and how to do it with 

 calmness and confidence. From the very start of the prepara- 

 tory instruction to the war practice of masses of artillery, 

 one guiding principle is evident : to teach the artillery how 

 to quickly select and suddenly reach its proper target ; all 

 work, however pretty or interesting, which does not point 

 directly to this end is omitted or minimized. 



If practically the whole time of the artillery is taken up in 

 teaching it to shoot, the government does not spare expense 

 in material or ammunition. Besides the cost of maintaining 

 the camps and sending the regiments to them, there is a large 

 bill for ammunition fired each year. Every gun is allowed 

 about 100 rounds per annum of war ammunition for target 

 practice (2 a and b) ; in addition to this there is allowed a 

 considerable extra expenditure for (1) the instruction of 

 officers who would become captains of reserve batteries upon 

 mobilization; (2) for reservists and territorials, and (3) for 

 the war practice of masses at Chalons. 



Each gun is allowed about 75 petards and 8 blank car- 

 tridges per year for instruction purposes, as well as an ample 

 supply of dummy cartridges and projectiles. 



SCHOOLS AND BOARDS OF ARTILLERY TARGET PRACTICE. 



From what has preceded, it will be evident that all the 

 camps of instruction, and especially the one at Chalons, are 

 practical schools for studying and teaching artillery target 



