384 
COMMENDED ESSAY, 1894 . 
Hohenlohe, whose practical experience of modern war must make his 
opinions command attention, has said of artillery :—“ It must always 
strive to fight, as a rule, by Brigade Divisions—coming into action by 
isolated batteries is quite an exception. Entire Brigade Divisions are 
not, however, to be brought into action by word of command, or by 
bugle call ordered by the Commander, but the batteries are to come 
into action by the word of command of the battery leader, upon the 
orders of the Divisional Commander.” 1 2 But assuming that a mass of 
guns will be manoeuvred by Brigade Divisions, we must still consider 
what will be the best tactical formation in which they should move. If 
the configuration of the ground will afford them cover, the question is 
one simply of convenience, and the decision may be left to the circum¬ 
stances of the moment. But, if there be no chance of obtaining shelter 
a rapid advance to the front with as little depth as possible will be 
essential. If exposed to fire from a flank, column of sections at close 
interval will be best, but if, as is more usual, fire from the front 
has alone to be feared, a line will offer the best security. Yet to lead 
even three batteries in line across country is exceedingly difficult. We 
know it is true that von Bronikowski did thus lead three batteries into 
action over a stretch of more than two miles, on the 2nd of December, 
1870, 3 but this is such an exception as rather proves the rule. Officers 
who have experienced the arduousness of the task will admit that there 
is considerable difficulty in preserving dressing’, and that the flanks are 
always inclined to get too far forward. It is believed to be more feasible 
to handle the batteries at short echelon, a formation which offers many 
of the advantages of line, and is far more elastic. 
Reconnaissance of the Second and other Positions. 
The reconnaissance of the second and subsequent positions must he 
made while the advance of the batteries is in progress. The leader of 
the mass will hurry on, and make the most of the fleeting moments 
with the same ends in view as he had before. He must now, however, 
keep a sharp look out for any dead ground in the neighbourhood, and 
seek protection if necessary from the nearest troops. The Commanders 
of Brigade Divisions will move ahead of their commands to him, and 
receive his instructions. It will now rarely be possible to surprise the 
enemy, and the first consideration will therefore be so to place the guns 
that they have the best possible chance of quickly killing their oppo¬ 
nents. When a Brigade Division leader leaves his batteries he must 
always hand over the command to the next senior. The duties of all 
concerned will be very similar to what they were in the first position. 
Circumstances will rarely or never justify a preparatory position, but 
an attempt at least should be made to preserve as much of the same 
methodical procedure as is possible. It will not often be safe now to 
place guns behind the crest, because in these positions they may be 
exposed to attack from infantry, and must have as little dead ground 
in their front, therefore, as possible. A position on the crest, while 
more exposed, will frequently at this stage become obligatory. 
1 Vide translation by Captain J. M. Grierson, p. 605, Yol. XIY. of “ Proceedings ” of K.A. In¬ 
stitution. Vide also the opinion of von Schell in his “ Field Artillery Tactics,” p. 43, 
2 Vide “ Kriegsgeschischtliche JEinzelschriffen,” Yol, VII, 
