OKEHAMPTON EXPERIENCES, 1892 . 
137 
takers of S( P ” Battery, they really belonged to “ J ” I believe, and 
they used the mekometer. 
During the process of ranging a battery the re-loading should be 
ordered by sections. The commander of the first section to fire may 
safely wait for the command “ Prepare for Shrapnel ” till the section 
next him has fired. This will avoid an unnecessary number of ranging 
rounds being expended. 
Regulation of Fuze. 
Length of fuze was generally found by working to graze. Scott's 
sights were seldom used for observation, either owing to Battery 
Commanders* dislike to throwing a section out of action, or to the 
difficulty of training a reliable observer. Moreover, their use is impos¬ 
sible when distribution begins after the first time shrapnel. 
Deflection. 
It is hard to understand the general unwillingness to give deflection 
boldly. With a strong cross wind it usually takes about four rounds 
to bring home to the commander the insufficiency of the deflection 
given. When it is considered that a round at all to leeward of the 
ranging point is almost useless, this reluctance to make a bold allow¬ 
ance in the first instance is unfortunate. 
Passing Orders. 
When an order had been given by the Battery Commander there 
was often some doubt as to how far it had reached. To remedy this, 
and to satisfy the Commander that his order had been heard and under¬ 
stood, Lieut.-Colonel Lockyer suggested that the receipt of every order 
be acknowledged by a salute, both when given in the first instance 
and again each time it is passed on. 
Section Commanders. 
A great deal of the effective service of the battery rests with the 
Section Commander, who should always endeavour to set an example 
of that alertness and instantaneous compliance with orders which is so 
characteristic of a good battery. It was never intended that the 
Section Commander should remain absolutely in one spot between his 
guns, although he should return there when not otherwise occupied, so 
that his Commander and every man of his section may know where to 
look for him. On the other hand, it is not right that the Section Com¬ 
mander should stand in easy postures while every man at the guns has 
to stand in his place at attention when not actually at work. It is not 
reasonable to expect smartness and strict attention from the men 
unless the officers show the way. The Section Commander must be 
held absolutely responsible that his guns are laid on the proper target. 
The alignment of the gun can be easily seen from the trail without 
interrupting the layer. During the season's practice guns were 
frequently laid on a wrong target, or on some rock, that in a bad light 
looked rather like the target. The position of Range Officer is, under 
such circumstances, one of some danger. 
