THE ROYAL ARTILLERY INSTITUTION. 
129 
to reinforce tlie skirmishers, and to close upon them as they approach 
the enemy. The second line constantly to close upon the first line. 
When the second line is within 50 yds. of the first line, the whole to 
charge. 
Defence. 
I. 
In order of battle for the defence, infantry and artillery are ranged 
in first line, second line, and third line, or reserve. 
To facilitate command, brigades should be placed side by side, rather 
than one in rear of another. 
II. 
In the first line, the infantry are in skirmishing order, with supports 
and reserves at distances of 150 yds., each battalion holding a front 
equal to the front of a battalion deployed. The artillery are in line 
with the skirmishers. 
Having regard to the fighting of the first line with the enemy within 
close musketry range, and to the fact that 100 yds. of continuous close 
musketry fire in defence is better even than the fire of a battery firing 
case—if it were only because the infantry can be reinforced—battery 
should be separated from battery in line by intervals of at least two 
battalions. Viewing, on the other hand, the necessity of combating 
the artillery of the attack, the proportion of artillery in first line should 
be as large as it may be. 
III. 
The second line of infantry is deployed at 300 yds. distance from the 
reserves of the first line, or at 600 yds. from the front. The third line 
is deployed at 300 yds. from the second line. 
The divisional artillery not in first line is with the second line. The 
artillery of the reserve is brigaded together in whole or in parts. 
IV. 
The line of skirmishers and guns is the line to be everywhere 
defended. 
The fighting of the infantry in the defence is governed by these 
principles :—Very few infantry should be at first placed in the line of 
skirmishers, that unnecessary loss should not be suffered from the 
artillery fire of the enemy; the line of skirmishers should be constantly 
strengthened in the face of an attack, so that all the infantry of the 
first line, and even reinforcements from the second line, may take part 
in the fire fight, and what was at first a thin line of skirmishers shall 
become at last a closed line, before the enemy charges; the second line 
17 
