COMMENDED ESSAY, 1898. 
363 
lengthy action already presents serious difficulties, with “ simple ” guns, 
and will tax very heavily the powers of those responsible. We know 
that in war, wfith the guns we now have, captains of batteries and their 
immediate subordinates will have to exercise much foresight and skill, 
and will have hard work, to ensure that the ammunition carried with 
batteries shall be supplied to the guns without a pause : and the immense 
difficulties which those in charge of ammunition columns will have to 
contend with—long marches, almost night and day, by ways cut up by 
the passage of the fighting troops, and encumbered with more troops 
hurrying to the front, with crowds of wounded and stragglers, and with 
other impedimenta—are fully recognised. 
How much greater then will be the difficulties which we may expect 
to have to face, when it becomes a question of replacing the additional 
expenditure that must ensue if guns are to be employed that have a 
much higher possible rate of fire, a power of which their possessors will 
undoubtedly endeavour to make the fullest use ! Not only would the 
number of rounds carried with the batteries have to be increased, but 
they would have to be supplied to the guns in a shorter time than at 
present, a twofold increase of effort on the part of those carrying out 
the supply. Moreover in every considerable battle the appearance in 
good time of the ammunition columns would be absolutely necessary. 
That this is not the case with “simple” guns we know from the 
experiences of Prince Kraft and his Artillery of the Guard : though 
they were obliged to have recourse to their ammunition columns during 
the fight of St. Privat, yet at the gigantic struggle at Sedan the rounds 
carried with the batteries were found to be enough.* 
It is thus evident that the introduction of Q.F. field guns would com¬ 
plicate this already difficult question, and considerably increase the 
difficulties of its solution, a very grave disadvantage. 
Though we cannot get away from the fact that, whether the ammu- waste nf 
nition be wasted or not, the increased rate of fire will increase the rate ammunitlon - 
(and consequently the difficulties) of supply ; still so long as ammu¬ 
nition is not toasted, this disadvantage, with the evil consequences of 
running short, is somewhat lessened in view of the great and decisive 
results that may be obtained by the time the ammunition shall have 
been expended. Unfortunately experience has shown that rounds are 
only too often fired away without effect, even on the practice ground, 
and we can therefore easily foresee that there is a very serious risk of 
the waste with Q.F. guns on service being very large. 
Should batteries be armed with Q.F. guns a heavy responsibility will increased 
be laid on Battery Commanders, if they waste ammunition in rapid fire ofcommanders 
at indecisive moments or without duly ensuring its full effect by care- of q.f. batteries 
ful previous ranging and verification of fuze. It is evident that they 
will have to exercise the utmost caution and foresight in the use of the 
full powers of their guns, or they will find that despite all efforts the 
supply of ammunition will prove insufficient to meet the expenditure. 
The next disadvantage is the complication of gun and mounting Complication of 
which is unfortunately present in all field Q.F. equipments hitherto m 0 n U n5n g . 
brought out. For rough work in the field, to cope successfully with 
the rattle of travel over rough roads, with the rude shocks experienced 
in passage of obstacles, with the wear and tear of firing, and with the 
deleterious effects of wet, mud and grit, it is essential that an equipment 
* Prince Kraft’s “ Ninth Letter on Artillery.' 
