116 THE GERMAN METHOD OF BRINGING GUNS INTO ACTION. 
no longer be the case, the guns are unlimbered and run up by hand 
by the detachments. This is invariably done when coming up into 
action against the enemy's artillery already in position. If the latter 
is not the case, it is permissible to bring the guns up into the firing 
position without previously unlimberiug. This, however, must be 
regarded as an exception to the rule. When, however, the fire of the 
enemy's artillery is nearly subdued, and when, in consequence, ours is 
not exposed to any great loss ; when, moreover, we advance to a second 
or subsequent position to support the decisive infantry attack, then we 
bring up the guns into the firing position by means of the teams. 
This also is done in case of a pursuit, when it is all important to gain 
time. AH these cases must, however, be regarded as exceptions to the 
rule, which is, that the horses are not to be exposed to the enemy's 
fire, and that the guns are to be unlimbered under cover and run up 
by hand by the gunners. The guns being unlimbered, the Nos. 1 run 
forward to the firing position and select the exact site for their 
respective guns, which are then run up by hand to them. 
“ With regard to what you say you heard took place at the Kaiser 
manoeuvres this year, it was probably done in a case of pursuit, or in 
support of an infantry attack, in either of which cases the guns would 
have been brought up by the horses. In order, however, to fatigue 
the gunners as little as possible, the Battery Commanders are directed 
to reconnoitre the ground to their front most carefully, so that the 
batteries may advance under cover without unlimbering, as far as 
practicable, without being seen by the enemy ; or in other words, that 
the distance over which the guns are run up by hand may be reduced 
to the utmost possible extent. This, of course, calls for a most careful 
and searching reconnaissance on the part of the Battery Commanders. 
“ in order to avoid observation from the enemy as long as possible, 
it is the custom in some artillery regiments to dismount the drivers, 
who lead the horses towards the firing positions as long as they can do 
so under cover; when this is no longer possible, the guns are 
unlimbered and run up by the gunners." 
Personally, I have never seen auy other method than this pursued 
by the German artillery, and I believe that the reports of all other 
English officers who have of late attended German manoeuvres show 
that their experience has been the same as mine, with one exception. 
In this instance I have not seen the report, but it is said to have come 
from an officer who witnessed the Imperial manoeuvres in Saxony this 
year (1896), and who stated that the artillery was always brought up 
to its fire position and there unlimbered. On the other hand, Lieut.- 
Colonel G. F. R. Henderson, Professor of Military Art and History at 
the Staff College, who was present at these manoeuvres and who has 
probably attended as many manoeuvres in Germany and written as 
exhaustively on them as anyone, has informed me and authorised me 
to quote him on the subject, that he never saw the German artillery 
at these Imperial manoeuvres of 1896, or at any others, adopt any 
system but that described in the above letter. 
During the manoeuvres of the XIY. Army Corps in the Grand 
