352 APPENDIX. 



at a distance of some 700 meters nearer, and extending almost 

 across the whole plain of fire. (I was afterwards told that 

 there were 1,000 of them — there certainly were several 

 hundred.) 



Again the range was quickly obtained, and the shrapnel 

 seemed to cover the entire line — the little puffs of smoke of 

 the bursting shrapnel seeming to be at the right distance in 

 front, and just high enough to do effective work. There 

 were of course some wild shots, and some few short fuzes ; 

 but I did not notice a single failure to explode in the air. It 

 was wonderful shooting, but I would have been better satisfied 

 if I could have found out the percentage of hits. 



These infantry targets were so arranged that by moving a 

 long lever, away off at one side out of sight and out of range, 

 the rows of figures could be made to show up above the slight 

 depressions referred to, and by a reverse motion could be 

 made to disappear. 



It certainly was a very ingenious and novel idea, and very 

 effective ; and as there were a number of these depressions, 

 where the infantry column or line target could be used, it 

 was not known in advance where they were to appear, and 

 in each instance the range had to be found in order to do 

 effective work. 



The effect of these heads showing up as they did was un- 

 canny, and one could not resist the impression that they were 

 human beings. 



The battery limbered up and withdrew out of sight until 

 after lunch was disposed of by officers and men, when the 

 firing was resumed under similar conditions but at different 

 ranges. I was much impressed by the rapid and oi-derly 

 manner in which they all worked together with apparently 

 good results. 



After the practice was completed, all the student officers 

 and the battery officers who conducted the firing were gathered 

 together, and an exhaustive criticism was made by Colonel 

 Noma and the field officers present, in which every point was 

 carefully discussed, the officers all making notes in their field 

 books for future reference and guidance. 



On returning to the parade ground of the school, the drill 

 with the mountain guns was witnessed. 



Five horses (no mules are used) were packed with one gun 

 and its equipment. While marching in column the command 



