DIRECT AND INDIRECT FIRE. 
241 
There is one other point of view from which this question should be 
regarded viz., that of savage and semi-savage warfare. In this, experi¬ 
ence of the tactics of the enemy can alone decide the action of the guns, 
and no form of procedure can be even outlined to suit every case. 
Their artillery, if any, will be vastly inferior to our own. Effect is 
first and the rest nowhere. 
No special reference has been made to smokeless powder as its use 
is taken as a matter of course. 
The chief points then we venture to submit for consideration are - 
(1.) The increased importance of cover and indirect fire for guns 
demand more frequent practice in taking up positions behind cover 
and concealment from view of the enemy. 
(2.) The study of methods of attack of positions on which the 
positions of guns will not be clearly indicated. 
(3.) A solution of the questions whether the fire of guns laid 
from above the guu, with one aiming post behind, is sufficiently 
accurate, or whether two aiming posts must always be employed. 
(4.) The issue of clear and detailed instructions for a uniform 
method of the occupation of positions behind cover, so as to disclose 
the positure of the guns as little as possible and to settle to what ex¬ 
tent it will be necessary to run up guns into position by hand in order 
to avoid casualties among the horses. 
During the last 10 years our artillery have passed through several 
vicissitudes with regard to the best method of coming into‘action. 
It commenced with the direct method with no method, followed by 
the deliberate method with too much method and practically used on 
all occasions and at all ranges and ended with the present excellent 
combination of the direct and deliberate methods. To this it is hoped 
will in time be added a suitable method of coming into action and 
opening fire in such a manner as to conceal the movement entirely 
from the enemy. 
Lastly, one thing above all must be remembered—the greatest 
enemies to the supporters of cover are those who would subordinate 
effect to cover on all occasions. 
