0 - 
PRECIS 
TRANSLATION. 
MILITAR-WOOHENBLATT.” 
Non-official ‘part, No. 88, 1896, page 2295. 
THE FIRE OF ARTILLERY AT 
MANCEUVRES. 
COLONEL A. E. TURNER, C.B., D.-A.-G., R.A. 
“ Le feu est tout 3 Vautre rien” 
Some twenty years ago, when the impressions which had been received from the 
war of 1870-71 were still vivid, and the experiences of fighting against 
an artillery inferior to our own still fresh, it was the custom of our Field 
Artillery to take up a position for action at a gallop and without consideration as 
to concealment from the enemy. The great object was to come into action and 
open fire with the least possible delay. Theoretically, no doubt, it is indisputable, 
that such procedure is often dangerous when opposed to modern artillery and may 
be at times impossible; practically, however, the matter has resolved itself into 
this, namely, that in the vast majority of cases, the guns are unlimbered under 
cover in rear of the position, into which they are run up by hand by the detach¬ 
ments slowly and often at the cost of considerable toil and exertion. It is felt 
that at manoeuvres, in order to avoid incurring unfavourable comments at the 
“ critique,” it is essential to bring the batteries into action, if possible unseen by 
the enemy, even at the sacrifice of rapidity in opening fire. 
It is indisputable that frequently such method of taking up a position, with a 
view of engaging in the “ artillery duel ” with the best prospect of success, has 
much to commend it. There are cases, however, in which it may be dangerous ; 
ior instance, when all the guns of the batteries concerned are not brought 
simultaneously into some well marked position, which the enemy has noted and 
is watching. In such a case very little advantage can be gained by taking up a 
position from under cover, while if the enemy is alert and opens fire on us at 
once, he will considerably disturb us in so doing, even if he does not make it 
impossible. How would it fare with us, for instance, if three guns of a battery 
had been hauled up into the position and left there, while the whole of the 
detachments were engaged for from three to five minutes in bringing up the 
remaining three and the enemy opened fire while this was going on P 
This method of taking up positions by the artillery would be still more 
prejudicial in its effects on the army at large, if the enemy’s batteries were already 
2, vor, xxiv, 
