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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF 
Grand Tactics. 
Three cases present themselves: an army acting on the defensive with 
range-finders may combat an opponent without these instruments. 
An army on the ofiensive may be supplied with range-finders, its 
antagonist having none. 
Both armies may have range-finders. 
Defenders only provided with Range-finders. 
In the first instance, in choosing a position, more advantage will be 
given to one which commands the approach of the enemy, up to 
3000 yds., than at present. 
All roads, bridges, and streams, which delay the enemy under fire, 
within 3000 yds., may be considered nearly impassable when exposed to 
the fire of guns at ranges accurately known. It may also be assumed 
that the enemy will never be able to overpower the artillery fire of the 
defenders; that cavalry will not be able to halt within 2500 yds. of the 
defenders’ guns, and that it will be impossible for the enemy to advance 
in deep columns within 3000 yds.; further, that the enemy will, even 
in line, or very thin columns, suffer much more than heretofore. 
An Army on the offensive provided with Range-finders , the enemy having none. 
In this case, if rapidity of movement is of consequence, one-third of 
the usual complement of artillery may be dispensed with. 
In attacking an intrenched position, it will be remembered that the 
defenders may have paced the ranges to conspicuous points; if they have 
thus measured the distances roughly, conspicuous points should be 
avoided in taking up positions for batteries. In any case the defenders’ 
knowledge of the range will probably be partial, inferior at the com¬ 
mencement of the action, and very confused afcer a time. 
The assailant should endeavour to engage the defenders’ artillery, 
being fully confident that he will have a great superiority over it. 
When the point selected for an infantry attack has been determined 
on, it will obviously be much easier to cover this attack by guns which 
know the exact range, and which may be relied on to cripple the 
enemy’s infantry fire, and to keep it down until the troops are within 
200 yds. of the defenders’ lines. 
In fact, with range-finders, guns will be used rather to co-operate 
with, than (as at present), to prepare for, the infantry attack. 
Both sides having Range-finders. 
In this case, the assailant will, more than ever, seek to precede his 
attack by an artillery duel, as the defenders’ guns will not only have 
increased power of disabling his infantry, if not silenced, but also to 
inflict on his artillery far greater injuries than at present. 
The Minor Tactics of a Battery. 
Defensive. 
Ten points, varying from 1,000 to 3,500 yds., being selected, one gun 
is unlimbered near where it will be in action, while another takes in suc¬ 
cession suitable positions at a distance of about 45 yds. from the first 
gun, but at rather greater intervals for the longer ranges. 
