389 
THE GERMAN METHOD 
OF 
BRINGING- GUNS. INTO ACTION. 
-A. ir, :e ip m. ir. 
BY 
CAPTAIN' J. HEADLAM,] R.A. 
In a lecture at the Royal Artillery Institution, last year, Captain r. a. i. 
Pilcher contrasted the German and Euglish methods of bringing guns "? r °. c ?, ed " 
into action to the disadvantage of the latter. In the discussion that June, 1896 . 
followed I pointed out what appeared to me to be some weak points 
in the German method, but the limits of such a discussion pre¬ 
vented any lengthened argument. I confined myself, therefore, to 
stating the points as shortly as possible, simply in order that such a 
comparison should not go forth to the public as having been made in 
the presence of a large meeting of artillery officers, without anything 
being said for our English method. 
A few months later there appeared in the Institution ‘‘Proceedings” e. a. i. 
a “criticism” on Captain Pilcher’s lecture by an anonymous German f fng S c ;f d " 
officer, in which my remarks were very severely handled. This Jan -» 1897 - 
criticism of my remarks was given importance by being quoted at R A j 
length by Colonel Turner in his most interesting paper on “The “Proceed- 
German method of bringing guns into action.” 
Again, in the Institution “Proceedings” for April, Major Keir, 
has selected my unfortunate contribution to the discussion after in gS ” ' 
Captain Pilcher’s lecture as his text, quoting my remarks word for Ma7 ’ 1897 
word before demolishing them. I feel, therefore, bound to come for¬ 
ward in defence. 
The discussion may be advantageously narrowed down to the fol¬ 
lowing : — 
Whether it is advisable when occupying the main artillery position: 
(a.) To take up a position completely under cover; 
(b.) To unlimber the guns under cover and run them up into 
position by hand. 
7. YOL. XXIY, 
