ATTACK OF A MODERN LAND FORTRESS, 
467 
If a heavy gun is to fulfil all the objects of its existence in the 
defence it should not only be available for long-range fire, but must 
also be able to sweep the approaches close to the main defensive line; 
for the latter purpose it must be mounted in an exposed situation giving 
command over this ground, or entirely resign the most important func¬ 
tion of bearing on the “ Close Attack/'’ But the guns are removed 
from the forts because, admittedly, they are too exposed there and 
would be quickly destroyed : if they are retired behind the crest of 
rising ground they cease to bear on the close attack and can only be 
used for long-range fire in which there is little for them to do which 
cannot be equally well done by the light guns of Class (3), for it must 
be remembered that the Siege Batteries of the attack will be concealed 
behind rising ground and be safe from the projectile of a fiat-trajectory 
gun, and even if visible their destruction is the role of the howitzers 
and not the guns. 
The only alternative, if the heavy guns are to be used against the 
close attack, is to place them in exposed situations but to conceal their 
presence by bushes or other such means; but now they must remain 
inactive until the close attack commences, for even with smokeless 
powder the flash can be seen unless the gun be well behind the crest of 
rising ground, and the flash is sufficient to lay upon (even when the 
gun itself is invisible), and the gun could be destroyed if it opened 
fire during the early stages of the attack. 
The logical deduction is that one set of guns is required for long- 
range fire and another to bear on the close attack : why not eliminate 
heavy guns in permanent emplacements entirely from the defence ? 
However, as we are dealing with the attack we may as well remem¬ 
ber that at present in 99 cases out of 100 the heavy guns of the defence 
are exposed at all events to the extent that the flash of their discharge 
is visible, which is all that is required by the attack. 
Class (2.) Heavy Howitzers. —The howitzers will be in concealed Howitzers of 
positions (behind rising ground) in the intervals between the detached the Defence * 
Forts; they are for curved and high-angle fire against the Siege Bat¬ 
teries of the besieger and the defensive works of his investment line. 
But as the Siege Batteries should be concealed it does not appear that 
they can be attacked even by the howitzers of the defence, and the latter 
should themselves be safe from attack for the same reason. They can, 
however, be used with certain effect against any ordnance of the attack 
which may be in exposed positions; but, as will be explained further 
on, it is only the light guns of the attack which need ever be exposed 
and then only during a decisive attack, or against sorties. 
Class (3.) Movable Armament , Guns. —Similar remarks to those Light Guns 
under the heading of heavy guns refer to positions for the light guns • 
of the Defence, but they have the advantage over heavy guns per¬ 
manently mounted, that they can be kept under cover and run out 
wherever required on an attack being made ; they may be more 
numerous, causing distribution of the enemy^s fire, and can be retired 
should an attack fail or prove to be only a reconnaissance, whereas a 
gun in a permanently exposed emplacement can be destroyed at leisure 
