132 
OKEHAMPTON EXPERIENCES, 1892 . 
element of lack and to maintain tlie keenest interest throughout the 
practice, but would necessitate uniformity of range, position, and 
target for all batteries. It has been shown how many obstacles may 
arise to prevent the carrying out of a plan that at first glance appears 
so simple. 
The second variation was giving a tactical scheme for each day's 
Service Practice, just as has always been done for Brigade Division 
Practice; but in this case a single battery represented the whole artil¬ 
lery force. The Battery Commander was thus, as far as possible, 
given a free hand, and selected his own positions, within certain 
limits, receiving only such orders as would on service be given to the 
Officer Commanding a Brigade Division. The aim being, of course, to 
give Battery Commanders the chance of reconnoitring and selecting 
positions. 
How necessary such training is was shown by the frequency with 
which batteries were brought into positions, whence but a small portion 
of the target was visible over the guns. 
System oe Practice. 
The course of practice was as follows:—The first week in camp was 
devoted to Elementary Practice, which Battery Commanders carried 
out on their own lines, though a few leading directions and suggestions 
were given by the Commandant to make the Elementary a better 
preparation for the Service Practice. Amongst other points it was 
recommended that time should always be taken and that very short 
ranges should be the exception. Series to obtain range and fuze were 
relegated altogether to Elementary Practice, and all the series of 
Service Practice were limited either in ammunition or in time. In 
other words, when the conditions of range and target pointed to deliber¬ 
ate shooting’, a certain number of rounds, generally 24, were allowed 
for the series. In cases where speed was of more importance, the 
battery was allowed a certain time, varying from 8 mins, to 4 mins, in 
action. 
Colonel Ward, in his report on practice at Gurgaon, says he con¬ 
siders the amount allotted to Elementary Practice excessive., and that 
50 rounds should be sufficient to put a finish to the education of the 
drill ground. This is well worth consideration, and the tendency at 
Okehampton is certainly in the same direction. For though the num¬ 
ber of rounds allowed has not been reduced, yet Elementary Practice 
is carried on under nearly as much supervision, and is subject to the 
same criticism as the Service Practice. 
As has been stated above, a tactical scheme was given for each day's 
Service Practice, and targets were arranged to represent different 
stages of the fight. First, the enemy's artillery or bodies of his troops 
were fired on at a long range; next, his lines of advancing infantry 
came under fire, or his defensive position was shelled to prepare the 
way for our own infantry. Then, as their advance masked the fire of the 
guns, the battery advanced in support of the infantry and opened fire 
at a close and decisive range. This advance to short rang’es of 1200 
