THE ROYAL ARTILLERY INSTITUTION. 
483 
the advanced guard plays a very important part. On it depends, to a great 
extent, the success of the engagement. As noticed before, it is advisable 
to get as many guns as possible to the front; but, on the other hand, there is 
generally great difficulty in finding positions for them. The attack will be 
often very difficult, guns will have to be sacrificed, exposed positions taken 
up,, and the welfare of individual batteries subordinated to the success of the 
army. Guns will have to be placed wherever they can find positions. A 
couple of them may come into action by the side of the road, at the com¬ 
mencement of the fight; but the majority should try to get away to the 
flanks, ascend commanding positions, so as to be able to fire effectively over 
the head of the attacking troops, and endeavour to take in flank the enemy’s 
position. 1 At Nachod, in 1866, two advanced guard batteries enabled a 
battalion to resist the attack of an Austrian brigade for three hours, till 
reinforcements arrived. The action of the artillery in 1866 was, however, 
defective; and we have no experience of a successfully forced defile under 
modern conditions. 2 
Connected intimately with the artillery question, are the considerations Escorts* 
relative to escorts. Their necessity is recognised by all, but how practically 
to obtain them is a matter much discussed. There is no doubt that the 
artillery of the advanced guard is exceptionally exposed, 3 and in order to play 
its part boldly, must either risk loss and capture or be provided with efficient 
support. Some writers—like Captain May—have advocated special escorts ; 4 
but the majority have assumed that the development of the fighting line 
will afford sufficient support, and where it does not, a temporary detachment 
can be sent for the purpose. To detach permanently an efficient escort to 
each battery, would weaken too much the fighting strength of an army; to 
give too weak a one, is plainly a waste of troops. 5 The difficulty was not 
met in the last war, and in consequence the guns were frequently much 
exposed—notably in the case of great battery to the north of Floing, on the 
day of Sedan. Viewing the duties of the advanced guard as previously 
sketched, the matter becomes still more intricate. Where batteries have to 
advance rapidly to the front to gain a good position, it is evidently necessary 
for them to have a mounted escort; when they have gained their position, 
infantry support is required. Advanced batteries, then, require a double 
escort, both infantry and cavalry, to be efficiently supported. 6 By using a 
hybrid force, like the old dragoon, or the mounted rifleman of the future, the 
difficulty is partially obviated. 
As the question now stands, it is probably best to tell off a force of 
infantry and cavalry of those battalions and squadrons marching nearest the 
guns as an escort, to be used if required. These would not be detached to 
1 “ Die Taktik,” Perizonius. 
2 The instances of defiles in the last war—such as crossing the Vosges, and ManteufFel’s passage 
of the C6te d’Or—do not apply, as there was practically no resistance. 
3 “ It will often find it necessary to go very much to the front, and perhaps to come into action 
very badly protected against the attack of an enemy.”—Boguslawski. 
4 “ Tactical Retrospect.” 
5 The Austrian Regulations give 3 N.C. officers and 24 men, either of cavalry or infantry, as ah 
escort for a battery—obviously too small a force to be of much use. French writers generally 
assign a squadron or company. 
6 “ Des Soutiens d’Artillerie,” Herbinger. 
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