124 
ACHIEVEMENTS OF FIELD ARTILLEEY. 
In the case of cavalry actions, Horse Artillery, at the close quarters 
in vogue, had only a very few minutes to make their influence felt, and 
success attended those who could best turn the brief period to account. 
It was not, therefore, through mere wantonness or love of theatrical 
display that “ smartness 99 was cultivated in the old troops, nor is it 
open to us less fortunate in experience to deride methods that were 
the outcome of years of continuous active service, and which strove 
for and obtained efficiency solid and substantial. 
Few will deny that mobility should still be the characteristic of Field 
Artillery, and there seems a probability that in the future the old 
rapidity of execution will also be asked for, although it will be linked 
with the necessity for greater accuracy, owing to the greater distances 
involved. We have in these pages already quoted the opinion of 
Prince Kouropatkin as to why the bombardment of Plevna failed, and 
we have insisted on the necessity of continuity in artillery fire at 
decisive moments. Kouropatkin in Russia is corroborated by Langlois 
in France, who, in his late work, argues that great rapidity of fire should 
be a leading characteristic of a capable modern artillery, because the 
effect of modern shrapnel will be so great that one side or other in the 
duel will quickly gain the upper hand. Moreover, he emphasises the 
necessity for continuity and rapidity of fire to clear the path for the 
assault, for the same reasons that made those characteristics necessary, 
if decisive effect were aimed at, in the days of grape and cannister. 
And the necessity for rapidity of fire is recognised in Germany also. 
The distances will alter, but the same qualities will be demanded. 
For 500 paces substitute 2000, 3000, or whatever range the experiences 
of the next war will impose upon us. The vital point is that modern 
shrapnel fire may be made as destructive at the greater distances as 
ever was mitraille at the smaller, and the modern gunner, having got 
his range, must ply his fire with the same fierce energy as did his pre¬ 
decessor when he meant his blow to be a really paralyzing one. 
And let the gunner bear in mind what has been said with reference 
to the number of hits not being decisive, but rather the rapidity with 
which these hits were obtained, when targets composed of flesh, brain, 
and nerves are in question. 
As regards the system or methods by which good results are to be 
arrived at without rapidity being sacrificed, it is not convenient here 
to speak. Such a question bristles with controversial points which 
might be discussed at great length. Improvements in the construction 
of our ammunition are still to be looked for, and these, coupled with a 
judicious distribution of fire, not only as regards breadth but depth, 
may possibly obviate the necessity for such extreme nicety of ranging 
as is scarcely to be hoped for in the stress of action. The experts 
must here aid the tactician, however, and matters technical must be 
left in their hands. 
But it is certain that, if a mass of guns is not to be wiped out by an 
opponent already in position ere it has time to assert itself, advantage 
must be taken of the conformation of the ground in leading guns into 
position, and their appearance must, if possible, be sudden and un¬ 
expected. Minor targets must be disregarded, and the whole strength 
unfolded, only when the moment is ripe. 
