SILVEE MEDAL PElZE ESSAY, 1898. 
291 
bathing are aware how much more difficult it is to face a continuous 
and rapid splashing, even of small drops, than to endure the same 
quantity of water dashed, say in bucketfulls, at comparatively large 
intervals. The former allows no time to take breath. In the case of 
shrapnel fire there can be little doubt that the effect on a battery—or 
on any other arm—of a shrapnel fire, arriving at the rate of say twenty 
shells per minute, would be far more demoralizing than the same number 
of bullets released from shells arriving at the much slower rate of say 
six rounds per minute. Bewildered by the incessant bursting of shells, 
without time to repeat orders, to replace casualties, or even to clearly 
descry the enemy, the best officers and layers would be terribly handi¬ 
capped, their return fire will be slow and ineffective, and the slower 
Artillery will be overwhelmed. 
The above is believed to be true, even should the numbers of shrapnel 
bullets capable of being delivered per minute be equal. But this is far 
from being the case. 
What actual rate of fire may we reasonably expect from a Q.F. field 
equipment f For data we have the known capabilities of garrison Q.F. 
guns of about the same calibre, from which however a considerable 
deduction must be made to allow for the more unfavourable conditions 
of a gun in the field, as regards steadiness of mounting and absence of 
recoil. We also know pretty well how long is required for the actual 
operation of laying, when this is under the control of the layer alone 
who is not dependent upon others. 
With a target of good visibility and fair size, even though it may be 
in fairly rapid motion, it is believed that a garrison 12-pounder Q.F. gun 
could maintain a rate of aimed fire of 10 rounds per minute—at a 
stationar}' target it could certainly be done with ease. 
If we halve this to allow for the more unfavourable circumstances in 
the field, we get a possible rate of 5 rounds per gun per minute. 
Checking this by the time taken to lay a gun, without the delays 
involved by signalling to the number at the trail, there is no doubt that 
any fairly good layer can finish his laying in from 12 to 15 seconds ; of 
course fumbling with the sight, &c., is not taken into consideration, as 
vastly improved sights would of course be fitted. 
There therefore seems no doubt that with a target of fair visibility, any 
Q.F. field equipment worthy of the name should be able when required , 
to pour in a fire at the rate of from 4 to 5 rounds per gun per minute, 
or a total rate from the battery of 24 to 30 rounds per minute, an 
intensity far surpassing anything hitherto known. 
Examples are hitherto wanting of the effect of Q.F. guns in the field. 
But since the effect of what may be termed a storm of artillery 
projectiles, is much the same, whether these come from a few Q.F. Guns 
or a large number of ordinary guns, we can find in History examples 
in proof of what has been said above. For instance, speaking of the 
German guns at Sedan, von Moltke says (“Moltke’s History of the War ”) : 
“ And now the fire from the 26 batteries of the Army of the Meuse was 
joined by that of the Guard’s Batteries, which took up their position at 
the Eastern Slope of the Givonne Yalley. The effect was overwhelming. 
The French Batteries were destroyed, and many ammunition waggons 
exploded.” 
This instance of the effect of an intense fire was produced by 
numerical superiority of guns. But a similar intensity will be a 
