94 
ARTILLERY POSITIONS AND SCREENING GUNS. 
(7.)_ Cases 
against use 
of “forward 
slope” 
position. 
(8.) Rule 
for level 
ground. 
(c) Whenever their presence can be of use to support 
their own infantry or cavalry and to form a 
rallying point if driven back. 
( d) When the forward slope does not exceed 6° or 1 in 10; 
but care must be taken not to attempt to fire at 
an object over 4,000 yards if that object is any 
height above our own 12-pr. or 15-pr. guns on 
Mark IT. carriage, [see Fig. 5 and pages 71 
and 72) else holes will have to be dug for the 
trails under the enemy's fire before we can reply 
to it. 
(e) In the defence, when a reasonable chance exists of 
getting the guns away in the event of a retreat 
being ordered, as when a railway cutting or an 
underfeature with a dip in rear is made use of to 
hide the limbers. In most cases, general officers 
will even dare to sacrifice their guns, if a position 
has to be held to the last. It will always be an 
operation involving heavy loss to limber up and 
retreat in face of infantry fire within 800 yards 
{vide Glenbeigh experiences, Captain Crampton, 
R.A. Institution “ Proceedings," Yol. XXIII, 
No. 5. See page 196.) 
(7.) Guns should not come into action on the forward slope :— 
(a) When within 1000 yards of infantry sharp-shooters, 
unless it is possible to send out skirmishers on 
our side to repel them. 
If this is. done it will be necessary (as is done in 
all foreign armies) to fire shell over the heads of 
our own infantry. 
{b) When there are woods, hollows and other hidden 
ground in front of and within 1000 yards of the 
guns held by the enemy. 
(c) When unsupported by infantry; when the back¬ 
ground is unfavourable ; when it is absolutely im¬ 
possible to hide the guns by natural means and 
when there is no material at hand to create 
artificial cover. 
(d) In the defence, when it is absolutely impossible to 
bring up the gun teams or limbers when pressed 
hard by hostile infantry at ranges under 800 
yards. In a rear-guard action in retreat, it will 
seldom be possible to occupy the forward slope, 
because it would be difficult to withdraw one's 
guns in time. 
(8.) When fighting on a level plain , core must be taken to put 
guns on the highest ground available ; a difference of even 18 inches 
