SILVER MEDAL PRIZE ESSAY, 1898. 
319 
position has been captured, have to repel a counter attack, or it may 
be engaged altogether in pursuing with its fire, the retreating enemy. 
In any case it will be the aim of the Artillery to produce a maximum 
of effect, in the shortest possible space of time, and as the fighting will 
be at fairly close quarters, and the target an easy one, great rapidity 
of fire is permissible. 
In considering the use that can be made of Q.F. guns in the attack, 
we have, for the sake of brevity, confined our remarks to the normal 
conditions under which, in civilized warfare, an attack is likely to take 
place. Variations from this may occur at almost any period of the 
fight, but space does not admit of their being considered in detail. 
The experience of war however shows, that favourable opportunities 
for the employment of Q.F. guns, may present themselves at almost 
any time, in fact whenever a sudden exhibition of the full power of 
the arm is needed. 
If the relative merits of the Q.F. and service systems be considered 
in the defence, it will be found that much that has been said in regard 
to the attack, finds its counterpart in the defence, although, in some 
respects, in this latter case, greater possibilities for the useful employ¬ 
ment of Q.F. guns may be looked for. There should for instance be 
no anxiety about ammunition, a plentiful supply of which ought 
always to be with the guns. Also the ranges to all positions the 
attackers might take up, being known, rapid shooting can be more 
readily resorted to. But notwithstanding these advantages it does not 
seem that the defenders will, in the first phases of the battle, profit 
materially by the employment of Q.F. guns. Their main object will 
be to delay the advance by compelling the enemy to deploy his forces. 
Deliberate, accurate shooting at long ranges, will best bring about this 
result. Of course opportunities may occur of falling on attacking 
batteries as they come into action. Every advantage should be taken 
of any such chances, and if the range is known, rapid fire may be 
very usefully employed, but such opportunities will be the exception. 
As a rule rapid fire will seldom be possible. Accuracy at this period 
is an all important consideration and great rapidity of fire cannot be 
combined with it when the ranges are “ distant.” During the 
Artillery duel also, it is not likely that the employment of Q.F. guns 
will confer any advantage, beyond that of labour saved through not 
having to run the guns up. What has been said of the attack at this 
period, applies therefore equally to the defence. 
It is not till the advance of the attacking Infantry takes place that 
the Q.F. guns of the defence will be called upon to exert to the utmost 
their power. A target broad in front and considerable in depth, will 
then be presented to the defenders* fire. Against such an objective 
great care in laying would be a waste of time. It is of paramount 
importance to stop at any cost the advance of the lines upon lines of 
attacking Infantry. Also being themselves at this time subject to a 
heavy fire, it is of advantage to the defenders that their Artillery 
should do its work as rapidly as possible, for the longer the guns 
remain in action under the very heavy fire to which they will be ex¬ 
posed the greater the prospect of their being overwhelmed. The 
