GROUND SCOUTS, COMBAT PATROLS, ETC. 
613 
especially careful not to miss any signs of a change of position, so as to 
give the batteries early notice of a change of target, thus :— 
11.15 a.m. “ Single scouts are reconnoitring the crest on the right 
of the little wood.” This information enables the batteries to meet the 
enemy coming into position with ranged fire. 
GROUND SCOUTS. (“ Gelaude Aufklarer”). 
“ All the ground in advance ought (German Regulations) to be re¬ 
connoitred, both as regards the enemy and as regards its passability. 
Although in principle, the former of these duties belongs rather to the 
other arms, artillery must, nevertheless, defend itself against sudden 
attack. As regards the latter, it is purely the business of the artillery. 
The scouts detailed for this duty must maintain constant communi¬ 
cation with the Brigade-division or Battery Commander; they must 
instantly report to him anything important that they observe, even if 
it does not relate to their special task.” 
These are known as “ground scouts,” in contradistinction to “combat 
patrols.” 
Their duty is not only to secure the safety of the batteries when 
moving, and to find out if the ground is suitable, but also to select 
roads screened from view of the enemy. 
When the batteries are in position, the scouts must watch for their 
safety against sudden attacks, because artillery, independently of its 
protection by other arms, must always guard itself against surprise. 
This is particularly necessary when a battery is detached on the 
exposed flank to guard that point. Ground scouts may be under¬ 
officers, trumpeters, one-year volunteers, or in exceptional cases , Nos. 1. 
Training op Ground Scouts. 
The instruction of “ Ground Scouts” is commenced with their duties 
during movements, and in action. Afterwards they must be taught 
reconnaissance of ground, map reading and sketching. 
The principal formations of troops of all three arms must be explained 
to them with their designations, and how to distinguish them and 
calculate their numbers at a distance. They should then be taken out 
into the field mounted, and taught how to acquaint themselves with all 
1 the topographical details which are likely to be of interest to artillery; 
they should learn to direct their attention to the existence of large and 
small bridges, fords, and the soil, in case it is necessary to move away 
from roads. They should be shewn how to pass obstacles, such as 
ditches, streams, railway embankments, how to facilitate passage across 
them, or, if necessary, how to circumvent them ; besides this they must 
be taught what is more difficult—to execute sketches representing 
what they see. The instructor must always make sure that the 
sketches are genuine and not copies of the map, pointing out to them 
that a hand sketch will very often serve as an amplification and 
explanation, whereas a mere copy of the map is a waste of time and 
may often lead to mistaken conclusions. 
81 
