ATTACK OF A MODERN LAND FORTRESS. 
477 
any delay and accompanied by a further bombardment, if deemed neces¬ 
sary, for destroying casemates and ditch flank defences. 
It will be a difficult task for the infantry to hold their present posi¬ 
tions against the fire of the concealed howitzer batteries of the defence, 
and they will have to be withdrawn slightly, but without losing their 
hold of them; during the night fresh defences may spring up, fresh 
guns be brought up and new emplacements armed: delay will be 
disastrous and the assault should be pushed home at all hazard. 
To say that from here the attack must proceed by the old routine of 
approaches and parallels is to ignore the new conditions imported into 
the attack by the concealed howitzer and the modern gun. 
The Engineer attack is either absolutely impossible or unnecessary: Engineer 
if heavy guns still remain bearing on the close attack, sapping is an Attack< 
impossibility (and, in any case, howitzers with their curved fire can 
render it so): if the guns do not exist, where is its necessity ? As well 
say that the final attack of infantry on a field position should be made 
by sap. 
No! There must be no dwelling in the advanced infantry position: 
the attack must be pushed home under a concentrated bombardment 
from every gun and howitzer of the attack. 
But the great essentials towards the success of such a vigorous method 
is an ample and powerful Siege Train and a plentiful supply of ammuni¬ 
tion, with a carefully arranged system of Fire Control. Without great 
strength and a vigorous use of that strength it is useless to attempt to 
besiege a modern fortress . 
On the infantry will fall the brunt of the fighting, though their suc¬ 
cess may depend on the support afforded by the Siege Artillery, and 
from the latter is required, not only a high standard of technical train¬ 
ing, but also a thorough knowledge of the tactical problems to be solved 
by the two arms combined. 
