560 
THE EQUIPMENT OP PIELD ARTILLERY. 
See pi, IV., 
fig. 4. 
Proportion 
of shrapnel 
to be carried, 
Percussion 
shells. 
12-pr. this ratio is 1 : 2*7. Steel has been already introduced for the 
body of the shelly and if the latter were cast with longitudinal ribs the 
envelope for the bullets might be made very thin. A fuze in the base 
of the projectile would also be a desideratum, as doing away with the 
central column and allowing the projectile to be cast with a point. 
When experiments cast more light on the use of guncotton, it, or 
some kindred explosive, will be used as the bursting charge of all 
shells. Powder chambers about J or \ the present size will then be 
used, and thus more space for bullets will be obtained. 
32. To determine the proportion of shrapnel we should carry, it will 
be necessary to consider its use and effects, and the same course will be 
followed with the other kinds of projectiles as we come to them. 
Against troops in the open there is no projectile that can compare 
with the shrapnel shell, the depth of its cone of dispersion being 
admirably adapted to repel the present deep attack formations, and to 
enfilade defensive lines; but when an enfilading fire cannot be brought 
to bear it is not very effective against entrenchments; against field¬ 
works, woods, and buildings it is comparatively useless, and it is not in 
the nature of a time shell to use it with a reduced charge for indirect 
fire. If then we consider this projectile with regard to the tactical duties 
of Artillery, we will find that it is not suited to the preliminary stages 
of the attach , except in the two following cases:—(1) When it is possible 
to enfilade the defensive lines or to cross the fire of two flanks, as, for 
example, at Mars la Tour, where the “ German Artillery of the right 
flank supported the Infantry of the left, and the Artillery of the left 
helped the troops posted on the right’*,” and (2) when the presence of 
troops on the reverse slope of a hill is communicated to the battery. 
The frontal and direct attack of troops holding a defensive position 
would as a rule be ineffective with this projectile. In supporting the 
attach however, when the defences would be somewhat broken down, 
and in repelling counterstrohes the shrapnel would be unrivalled. On the 
defensive in all its stages it would probably be the most useful projectile, 
as also in pursuits and retreats , but it is doubtful if another class ol 
projectile would not be more effective in the case of advanced guards , 
and also on ordinary detached duties . 
33. A percussion shell should have a strong bursting charge, but if 
much explosive power is required, the room left for rings, segments, 
&c., (which go to increase the number of dangerous fragments ) is very 
much diminished. Projectiles of field artillery should however be 
designed with a view to man-killing power; high explosive effect— 
difficult to get—should be specially provided for ; the necessity for it is 
also much reduced by the high penetrative power likely to be attained 
by modern field guns. It however cannot entirely be dispensed with, 
and we would therefore divide percussion shells into two classes, viz., 
(1) Segment shells, (2) Explosive and Incendiary shells—we will avoid 
the use of the term “ common shell” as is it is liable to be misunder- 
* Yide HofFbauer. 
