GERMANY. 113 



among the various ranges. The same source gives the an- 

 nual allowance of ammunition for battery practice as 2-44: 

 shell, 100 shrapnel, and 12 case. The recent changes in arma- 

 ment of the German artillery, and the great development of 

 this arm, would warrant the belief that these figures are at 

 present increased rather than diminished. 



REPORTS OF FIRING. 



These furnish a means of determining comparative effi- 

 ciency, and for collecting instructive data regarding the guns 

 and ammunition. The careful preparation of these reports, 

 which should be absolutely reliable, is supervised in the bat- 

 talions and regiment. The firing list is prepared in each 

 battery by an officer specially detailed for the purpose, from 

 notes of the firing of the battery made by two noncommis- 

 sioned officers, one of whom records the commands and direc- 

 tions of the battery commander, and the other the time and 

 order of fire, number and kind of projectile, etc. The report 

 of the effect of the fire on the targets made by the observing 

 detachment charged with this duty is attached to the firing 

 list, which is made up immediately after each firing, and 

 sent to the leader for completion by adding thereto any 

 memoranda of the conditions of the action, orders or direc- 

 tions of the battalion commander, etc., necessary to the proper 

 understanding of the j^ractice. 



The duty of observing and recording the effect of fire is 

 performed by detachments commanded by an officer, assisted 

 by underofficers and soldiers, all carefully chosen, and well 

 instructed in their duties. Observation stations are located 

 at convenient points on the ground, connected by wire with 

 the position occupied by the officer directing the fire. Every 

 shot fired is observed, and record made at the time, of the 

 striking or bursting points, effect on the target, etc., so that 

 the report made by the observers can be compared, shot by 

 shot, with the record kept at the firing points. Together 

 they give the data for the "critique" which is made at the 

 conclusion of the exercises. The observation posts may serve 

 for one or more targets, and are provided with necessary 

 blanks for recording shots, sketches of the ground, material 

 for repair of damaged targets, etc. 



After the close of the exercises, regimental commanders 

 make up a review of the firing, to which may be added any 



