FRANCE. 73 



SIEGE AND SEACOAST ARTILLERY. 



The method of procedure in teaching target practice to the 

 personnel of the siege and seacoast artillery is the same as 

 that outlined above for field artillery, taking into account 

 the differences in the material and the problems of fire. 



The instruction begins at the garrison with indoor work for 

 officers and sergeants in the use of instruments, and the solving 

 of fire problems. 



The instructor proceeds with practical exercises and mental 

 drills on the lines already explained until fictitious fire prob- 

 lems can be solved on sight ; then work of the whole personnel 

 at the guns with all the instruments and combat elements, 

 simulated fire and the observation of fire, bring the instruction 

 up to the time for actual practice at targets. This target 

 practice for the battalions of foot artillery manning siege and 

 land-fort guns takes place at the polygons or camps already 

 described. All the problems of attack and defense of siege 

 and fortress artillery are there worked out and illustrated ; 

 direct and indirect fire, attack by night with elements of fire 

 obtained in the day, etc. The men not serving the guns are 

 required to be present and observe the conduct and effects of 

 the fire. Each battalion (6 companies) passes about three 

 weeks of every year at its camp and expends about 450 rounds 

 of war ammunition, besides the petards, blank rounds, etc., 

 used in instruction in its garrison. 



The battalions stationed at coast forts receive the prepar- 

 atory instruction outlined above, and when money and other 

 considerations make it possible, are also sent for the practical 

 firing at a polygon. Their target XJractice with great guns 

 takes place in the harbor they garrison. The preparatory 

 firings by piece at fixed targets teach the men the drill of the 

 piece under service conditions, and illustrate the problems of 

 fire they have been theoretically solving. The rest of the 

 firing, the whole battery or group of batteries in action, 

 progresses to conditions as near those of actual war as the 

 locality and equipment make possible. Every post is occupied, 

 the complete range-finder service assured, the mine defense 

 manned, and communication established with the coast torpedo- 

 boat defense. The target is towed in the field of fire where- 

 ever an enemy would be likely to go. This target generally 

 consists of two catamarans of about the shape and dimensions 

 given in the sketch, joined by a towline about 300 feet long. 



