THE EOYAL ARTILLERY INSTITUTION. 
69 
Each commander then retires to his own room to consult his map, 
and to receive from the umpire the “special idea” (the subject of 
which is of course unknown to the opposed commander), defining the 
object he has to effect, the force at his disposal, &c., &c. The umpire 
receives from each in writing the disposition of their forces to effect 
the object , which enables him to calculate where and when, by the 
ordinary rate of march, the two forces would sight each other. To 
avoid long operations out of range of one another, he fixes this time 
for the commencement of the game. 
The following are copies of the “ general ” and “ special ideas ” of a 
game which the writer recently witnessed at one of the upper military 
schools in Berlin. The officers conducting the operation had served 
about four years in the army, during which they had taken part in the 
campaign of 1870-71. It will serve to show the mode of procedure in 
conducting a game. 
General Idea. 
“ Situation of affairs as on the day before the battle of Prague, 6th May, 
1757. The Austrians in position on the right bank of the Moldau. 
The King of Prussia had crossed the Moldau and was at Dablitz on 
the evening of the 5th May; Field-Marshal Count Schwerin at 
Brandeis. 
Special Idea. 
For Slue (Prussian). 
“At 6.30 a.m. on 6th May, the King had 
joined Schwerin at Gbell. The troops are ready 
to move forward in the direction of Wissoczan, 
Hloupetin and Keyge. 
“A detachment on the left flank (Northern 
detachment), under Major A., consisting of 
1 Battalion Infantry, 
1 Company Rifles, 
1| Squadrons, 
1 Battery, 
receives orders at Sattalitz at 6.45 a.m. on 6th 
May, to move off and reconnoitre beyond 
Hostawitz, the enemy’s position, which was 
supposed to be between Keyge and the Ziska- 
berg.” 
Problem .—Orders for the march of the de¬ 
tachment-commander. 
In compliance with the cc special ideas,” each commander gave in his 
written orders. The Austrian commander placed his outposts on the 
evening of the 5th, as he would have done in real war, and these 
retained the same positions on the morning of the 6th. The Prussian 
commander moved from Sattalitz as ordered. His dispositions for the 
march and the position of the Austrian outposts were scrutinised by 
the umpire with reference to the object each commander had in view. 
The umpire then decided when the troops were in sight of each other, 
and therefore what men should be uncovered and placed on the map. 
The game then commenced. Each commander in turn stated his next 
move j if he said, “ I advance towards the enemy,” his troops which 
were decided to be in sight of the adversary were moved on the map 
For Bed (Austrian). 
“ The Austrian Army will oppose tbe enemy’s 
attack, holding tbe position between Keyge and 
tbe Ziskaberg. 
“A detachment on right flank (Southern 
detachment), under Major B., consisting of 
2 Companies Infantry, 
1 Company Rifles, 
1 Squadron, 
4 Guns, 
arrives at Hostawitz at 8 p.m. on 5th,-with the 
object of defending the defiles there against any 
enterprises on the part of the enemy, and of 
furnishing intelligence about the enemy early 
on the following morning.” 
Problem. —(l) Written orders for the even¬ 
ing of the 5th. (2) Verbal orders for the next 
morning. 
