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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF 
and the consequent traditional disgrace, undoubtedly gave rise to this 
practice—a gun being looked on in the light of a regimental colour. 1 2 
It is now recognised that, to combine effectually with the other arms, 
artillery will often have to advance to comparatively close ranges. To obtain 
a tactical success, guns must sometimes be sacrificed—the preservation of the 
unit being subordinate to the success of the army. 
The artillery fire should at first be rapid or slow, according to circum¬ 
stances. If the enemy is not strong in troops or position, the fire should be 
rapid, the attack made brusquely, without delay or too much method— 
attempting, as it were, to impose upon and surprise the hostile force. 3 If, 
on the contrary, it is evident that serious resistance has to be encountered, 
the guns should fire slowly and with great care. 3 The advanced guard 
batteries are constantly liable to be engaged, and when seriously so, remain 
in action longer than the artillery of the main body. As a consequence, 
their ammunition should be husbanded as much as possible, as there is often 
difficulty in replacing it. Although sparing of stores, the guns should fire 
without intermission. The general object to be gained is to make the 
enemy display his strength, at the same time exposing one’s own as little as 
possible. The less forces are deployed, the greater the success. 
What the artillery should fire upon, has always been a mooted point. It 
has been said 4 that in each phase of a fight some one arm of the enemy is 
the most effective, and on that arm the artillery fire should be directed— 
a good rule, doubtless, but somewhat difficult of application. The maxim 
of Ilohenlohe is simpler; i.e., only to fire at the enemy’s artillery when there 
are no other troops to fire at—a principle which may be considered as true 
in the main. 5 
At the commencement of the engagement, the guns fire generally on the 
enemy’s artillery—more for the purpose of drawing his fire, and making him 
display his forces, than for the actual damage likely to be inflicted on him. 
During this slow cannonade, the plan of attack is resolved upon. The 
batteries will have then to advance, and direct their fire on the other troops, 
as soon as they are visible, firing at the hostile artillery when they are not. 
Above 1000 paces, 6 * the artillery plays the principal part; at lesser dis¬ 
tances, it becomes of secondary importance. 
The value of the artillery fire consists in its power of shaking the enemy 
and throwing him into disorder. “To turn this disorder to account, is the 
province of the other arms.”? 
Decisive results of artillery against artillery can only be reckoned on under 
2000 paces. Above 2500, the effect is merely nominal; but against the 
other arms, an efficient fire can be kept up from as far as 3000 paces. 8 
The advance of the artillery to their nearer position preludes the second 
1 The Germans “ have got rid of the prejudice that the loss of guns must be avoided at any 
price.”—Boguslawski. 
2 “La Tactique Appliquee au Terrain,” Vaudevelde. 
3 “ Essai sur 1’Organisation de rArtillerie,” Le Bourg. 
4 “Use of Field Artillery,” Taubert. 
5 Vide Sir John Burgoyne’s “ Opinions,” and the formidable list of authorities quoted by Captain 
Hirne in his essay. 
6 The German schritt of 29'65 ins* 
' “ About Tactics,” Lay maim. 
8 Hohenlohe. 
