GOLD MEDAL PRIZE ESSAY, 1894 . 
351 
gained in the rapid reconnaissance of a position, and in controlling the 
movements of a large number of batteries advancing on an objective 
whose position was partially unknown. 
The special idea for the day would give the necessary detail regard- 
ing the position of the enemy and those of our own troops, and the 
general intention of the General commanding the side. 
To sum up then, the following are the chief points suggested for 
consideration in training our artillery in masses : — 
(1.) The division of tactical exercises into two main classes : 
(a) Those in which artillery alone take part. 
(b) Those in which it manoeuvres in company with the other 
arms. 
(2.) That as the most important target for artillery fire is the in¬ 
fantry, we must study how to strike it in the most effective 
manner, and endeavour to check its advance by anticipat¬ 
ing its movements. 
(3.) That as no progress can be made in artillery tactics until 
those of the other arms have been thoroughly mastered, 
all tactical exercises should be framed on the supposition 
that we are acting with other troops, whose position should 
be indicated. 
(4.) That by practical experiment in the field we should devise a 
fixed procedure to be employed whenever possible in hand¬ 
ling a large mass of artillery, so as to avoid waste of time 
and insure combination of the mass. Such procedure to 
include the uniform framing and*transmission of orders, 
rules with regard to the use of iutrenchments, and the fire 
control of masses, the sub-division of command and the 
positions of the Group Commanders of the mass. 
(5.) The establishment of a system which will enable both our¬ 
selves and the other arms to form a reliable estimate of the 
probable effect of artillery. 
(6.) That with a view to progress in the tactical training of artil¬ 
lery, whenever manoeuvres on a large scale take place, an 
official account of the proceedings be published, giving the 
result of the whole, and the general conclusions arrived at. 
The matter contained in the preceding pages gives the result of 3 
years 5 experience at manoeuvres at Aldershot, including the camps in 
Berkshire and Hampshire. 
Many will, no doubt, dissent from the conclusions arrived at, but all 
it is hoped will feel, that whatever may have been written has been 
brought forward with the earnest desire and honest intention of pro¬ 
moting the efficiency of our Regiment) by directing the thoughts of 
those most capable of forming a sound opinion, to some points which 
may be worthy of their attention. 
Summary. 
Points for 
considera¬ 
tion in the 
training of 
artillery in 
masses. 
