660 
NOTE 
ON THE 
PEUSSIAN MODE OF INDIRECT LAYING OF GUNS. 
CONTRIBUTED BY 
MAJOR YAN STRAIJBENZEE, R.A. 
Instances may occur, where the target, although visible from some 
point in rear of the gun (by a man standing on the limber, &c.) cannot 
be seen from the position the gun is in. 
In such cases, an auxiliary mark, on which to lay, can be used, the 
mode of proceeding being as follows No. 1 having fixed the tangent 
scale to a convenient height, making, if necessary, an allowance for 
wind, &c., on the deflection scale, places himself in rear of the gun, in 
a position whence the target can be seen, and, by aid of a plummet and 
line, or by eye, orders the gun to be traversed, as nearly as possible, 
on to the line required. 
Returning to the gun, and having previously selected an auxiliary 
mark visible therefrom, he then moves the deflection leaf till the line of 
sight is on the auxiliary mark, giving elevation by clinometer (the 
construction and use of which is explained to the men), to the extent 
required for the range to the target. 
By raising or lowering the tangent scale (after the elevation is 
obtained), and clamping it when the gun is correctly layed on the 
auxiliary mark, the “ point 33 layed on, affords the means of giving the 
necessary elevation for after rounds, without using the clinometer. If, 
however, a clearly defined “ line 33 only is used to lay on, elevation must 
in all cases be given by clinometer. 
The instructor explains, that, whilst the axis of the gun is directed 
on the target proper, the auxiliary mark only affords a visible point on 
which to lay. 
In selecting the latter, it is important to remember, that one at the 
same range as the object, and rather above it, is the most favourable, 
and one beyond it preferable to one in front of it ; also that the nearer 
it is to the battery, the greater the deviation, due to slight alterations 
on the deflection scale. 
If no natural mark presents itself, a picket or banderol placed in the 
ground, as far as convenient from the battery, will answer as an auxiliary 
mark. 
It is important that the gun should be run up to the same spot after 
each round. 
When desirable to open fire from a position (in rear of the brow of 
a low hill, or other natural cover), whence the target is not visible from 
the rear of the battery, two pointing rods, or pickets aligned on the 
target, between it and the gun, will afford an accurate means of 
obtaining the line, the elevation being given by clinometer as before. 
N.B.—It would appear that even should the object be visible from 
the gun, if indistinct, or partially obscured, indirect laying might be 
employed with advantage, especially at long ranges. 
