ARTILLERY POSITIONS AND SCREENING GUNS. 
93 
( e ) Guns in the attack may fire over a hill and use 
clinometers when the enemy is known to have a 
great superiority in the number of batteries, and 
when it is impossible to approach unseen over the 
crest and down the other side. 
In this case our guns should be placed a con¬ 
siderable distance, 300 or 400 yards in rear of and 
below the crest, so that the bullets set loose by 
the action of the enemy’s fuzes set to burst just 
over the crest, may have sufficient space and time 
to expend and reduce their velocity before reaching 
our guns. 
(4.) Occasions when the position on the crest should not be taken 
up. 
(a) When there is a ‘ straight edge ’ or ‘ sky-line ’ over 
which the guns and detachments project and 
show up distinctly. 
(b) W T hen the ground available on the ridge or crest is 
so limited that there is not sufficient room for all 
the batteries. 
(c) When the position has too great a command and the 
fire would be too plunging, thus losing all the 
effects of ricochet bullets. 
(5.) Cases when the crest should be occupied :— 
(a) When a very large number of batteries are to be 
brought into action low down on the forward 
slope and it is thought necessary to have a second 
tier of guns above on top of the hill in rear, to 
draw off the enemy’s fire from the advanced 
batteries and to cover their advance. 
(b) When there is a higher crest in rear which prevents 
the guns in action appearing on the sky-line from 
the enemy’s point of view. 
(c) When the opposing guns occupy a more elevated 
position than our own, which will not then show 
up against the sky-line. 
(d) When it is impossible to see from any other place. 
(e) When there is a natural or artificial screen forming, 
either a thick background in rear or an almost 
invisible obstacle to the enemy’s view in front of 
the guns. 
(6.) Guns should be placed on the forward slope at all stages of 
the attack : — 
(a) When they can be hidden from the enemy’s view. 
(b) When they have their own infantry in front of them 
to^engage the enemy’s sharp-shooters. 
(4.) Cases 
against 
“ crest ” 
position. 
(5.) Cases 
for use of 
“ crest” 
position. 
(6.) Cases 
for use of 
“ forward 
slope.” 
