32 
DEFENCE OF A COAST FORTRESS. 
in advance. They are sure to be either obsolete or well known to an 
enemy. 
Batteries, however, should, where possible, be surrounded with a 
well-covered unclimbable fence, which would delay any attacking party 
which has slipped through infantry outposts, and would give gunners 
confidence. In peace time these fences would be useful to preserve 
guns and stores from intrusion. 
On the land side there should be iust sufficient fortification to delay 
an enemy landed in force until either help comes from a field army or 
until previously planned or improvised works can be got under con¬ 
struction. 
(8).—Movable Armament. 
The movable armament consists of all guns which have no per¬ 
manent emplacement. 
The lighter guns can be moved anywhere to assist infantry in 
repelling land attack, or to aid quick-firing and case guns in the pre¬ 
vention of torpedo or boat attack, but they are not very suitable for 
this, except when placed so that their fire covers an obstacle. 
The movable armament would be of the greatest value in case of 
regular attack in force on the land side. 
The howitzers might occasionally prove useful to prevent a ship 
anchoring in a comparatively undefended spot. 
Conclusion. 
I have run rapidly through the means afforded us for the defence of 
a Coast Fortress. It is a large subject, really needing more time. In 
that available I have not attempted to prove any of my statements or 
even to show how I have arrived at conclusions, but I have put nothing 
before you which I believe is not capable of demonstration from ex¬ 
perience gained in our larger Coast Fortresses. 
