421 
NOTES 
ON 
TRAINING ARTILLERY SCOUTS. 
BY 
CAPTAIN F. R. MAUNSELL, R.A. 
The following are some suggestions made with a view of improving 
the performance of the reconnaissance and scouting duties of artillery 
in the field. 
They chiefly consist in proposals for training a certain number of 
N.C.O.’s in each battery whose duties would be 
(1.) To assist officers in reconnoitring positions for guns and the 
means of approaching such positions. 
(2.) To act as combat patrols to protect against surprise. 
(3.) To be employed in an officer’s patrol detached to a flank to 
observe the effect of our own fire, or give information of move¬ 
ments within the enemy’s position. 
(4.) To act as orderlies to connect the C.R.A. with the various 
brigade divisions and these with the battery commanders. 
(5.) For orderly work in keeping touch with the ammunition 
columns during an action. 
The greater efficiency of gun and rifle fire has rendered a frontal 
attack difficult without great sacrifices; audit becomes increasingly 
important to train troops to manoeuvre, to execute wide turning move¬ 
ments, make long marches by day and night, and utilize to the utmost 
every favourable feature of the ground. 
The use of smokeless powder will help to hide the real position of 
men and guns in attack or defence and will favour surprises and 
ambushes, while it will also induce greater circumspection in the 
attack to avoid being drawn into a useless display of force, or being 
committed to an impossible or dangerous situation. 
It is plain that if the attacker is to execute long manoeuvre marches 
and keep such hidden from the enemy, or if the defender is to ward off 
the disadvantage of an unexpected attack, it is very necessary to study 
every portion of the ground and the best means of utilizing it in attack 
or defence. 
7 . YOL. XXIV* 
