232 
DIRECT AND INDIRECT FIRE. 
And when w T e consider that the normal frontage allotted to the 
infantry portion of a Division of our army is about 1 mile and that the 
Divisional Artillery in line only occupies about 350 yards ; on ordinary 
ground there should be no difficulty in finding cover for the whole, or 
a very large portion, within suitable range of the enemy. But when 
we come to deal with a longer line of guns (15 to 20 batteries), if the 
line is to be continuous and distances are to be preserved, cover must 
give way and direct fire only can be used. 
Different, however, is the case of the advanced guard batteries, for 
here cover for one or two batteries only has to be obtained, and recon¬ 
naissance of the enemy's position, rather than the pushing home of a 
determined attack, is the tactical object. The role of the batteries 
will, therefore, be to discover the strength and position of the hostile 
artillery, without allowing themselves to be seriously engaged, until 
the intentions of the G.O.C. force are known and cover will therefore 
be utilized when available. 
In the same manner rear guards, two of whose main functions are 
(1) ability to deceive the enemy as to strength and, (2) having done so, 
to withdraw from their positions with as little loss as possible, will be 
much better served by guns posted behind cover, where they can show 
as much or as little of their strength as they wish and who can hold 
on till the last moment without exposing their teams to destruction, 
than by those posted in the open and in full view, where the number 
of guns can be plainly counted and the exact moment of their retire¬ 
ment is unmistakeable. 
With how much more effect can all these be carried out if the guns 
can be brought into position unobserved and their fire only delivered 
at the moment when the infantry are ready to advance to the attack, or 
the cavalry to charge and take advantage of the surprise and confusion 
caused by the opening of the guns from an unknown quarter. 
The posting of guns in well concealed positions, aided by natural or 
artificial screens, where the exact localization of them will greatly 
enhance the difficulties of the attacker, will, it is contended, be one of 
the tests of a skilful artillery commander. But in order to turn the 
situation to the greatest advantage he must have under his command 
commanders accustomed to rapidly select and occupy advantageous 
ground and batteries thoroughly trained and practised in the conduct 
of indirect fire. 
Kind of (3.) The kind of indirect fire it is proposed to use and the method 
indirect fire proposed for its employment. 
In the hand-book of the 12-pr. B.L. two methods are explained 
under the heading of “ Aiming Posts." In one of which only (the 
second) is the method of bringing the battery into action described. 
In the description of the first method four cases are named, the first 
two of which imply that the battery has come into action in full view 
of the enemy and no mention is made of a method of bringing the 
battery into action under cover, for the last two ( i.e . when target can 
be seen on a limber, or mounted in rear of a gun). In fact, it is 
evidently intended that the battery should be in action before the aim- 
