240 
DIRECT AND INDIRECT FIRE. 
with the other arms and can study their methods in full view, not in 
imagination. 
To sum up, then, the above objections are met as follows :—■ 
(1.) Taking a large extent of average country and not restrict¬ 
ing ourselves to a few limited localities, it is not admitted that it is 
very rare to find ground where you can carry on practice with more 
than a single battery. The difficulty caused by the necessity of hitting 
the f butt ’ at practice very much narrows the already limited number 
of positions and it seems often to be forgotten that whereas great care 
has to be taken to avoid damage by stray shots in peace, these are of 
no account in time of war. 
(2.) With practice, changes of target can be made as rapidly 
from behind cover as by the direct method. With regard to the 
frequency of these changes, the impressions of the practice ground 
tend to exaggerate the requirements of actual warfare. 
(3.) If by concentration is meant the focussing of the fire of a 
number of guns on a target a few yards wide, indirect fire certainly 
falls short in accuracy compared with direct, but as such a concentra¬ 
tion is only possible for a very limited number of guns, it is maintained 
that concentration of fire for practical purposes is as attainable by 
indirect as by direct fire. The facility of concentration of fire is more¬ 
over over estimated owing to the necessary visibility given to the 
targets used for instructional purposes. 
(4.) The conditions under which the practice of firing on moving 
targets is at present carried out presurposes a much too favourable 
position for the artillery. The method is rarely or ever employed by 
single batteries even at manoeuvres. It is never practised by units 
larger than batteries at all ; and beyond a useful exercise at practice 
camps, it is of little real value. But even if its ability be granted, 
with practice and ingenuity the service system could be adapted so as 
to render its employment under certain conditions by guns behind 
cover, or partial cover, almost as effective. 
To avoid misunderstanding the above remarks are in no way intended 
to reflect on our present excellent system of training, but to raise the 
question, whether the deductions of the practice camp, rather than 
those of the manoeuvre ground, are to be taken as a guide in the 
solution of questions of artillery tactics similar to the one now under 
consideration. 
(5.) If it is to be arbitrarily decided that direct fire, and no other, 
is to be used it is maintained we shall lose in efficiency and relieve 
battery commanders from incurring the responsibility of making use 
of favourable opportunities for placing their commands in concealed 
positions and fire from behind cover will never be attempted ; 
whereas a modification which allows and encourages, a choice of the 
nature of fire to be made use of, will tend to a solution of the 
question, when cover should be used and when it should not. Unless 
however, the effect of fire with the clinometer from behind cover is 
tested in comparison with direct fire, no confidence in its use will be 
established. 
