12 
position selected for tlieir battery, to mark one or both flanks, using their trum¬ 
peters for the purpose. Great care should be taken that the markers do not 
expose themselves to the enemy before the batteries come up ; they should remain 
under cover till then. 
The Halt in the Preparatory Position. 
During the advance of the batteries to the fighting position, it is well to divide 
their approach to the sphere of action from their actual advance into action by a 
halt in a preparatory position. This is necessary to give time to the commanders 
to complete their reconnaissance of the fighting position, and to the batteries to 
collect and take all possible preparatory measures for opening fire as quickly as 
possible. This position should be screened from the enemy, and yet be as close as 
possible to the fighting position. The formation in this position should be either 
line or line of columns, the heads of columns being level with each other, so as 
to secure a simultaneons advance. The preparatory position is selected by the 
commanding officer during his reconnaissance, and he should leave an officer on 
it to give orders to the batteries as to their formation and other points. 
The Approach of the Batteries to the Fighting Position. 
This should be as much as possible screened from the enemy. If the line 
selected for the advance during the reconnaissance lies over very broken ground, 
on which it would be difficult to preserve the direction, it should be marked out. 
As far as possible roads should be made use of. If it is unavoidable to cross 
ground exposed to the enemy, it should be done at a rapid pace. 
The Advance to the Fighting Position. 
This should be carried out as much under cover as possible and simultaneously. 
On open ground, where possible, the advance should be made in line straight in 
the direction of the enemy, but at the same time the advance must always begin 
in such a formation as will allow the passage of the narrowest places on the line 
of advance, so as to avoid the necessity of forming column during the move¬ 
ment. Tor this reason column of sub-divisions, 1 as the most flexible and easily 
adapted to ground, is the most suitable for the advance over open ground inter¬ 
sected by obstacles. 
Occupation of the Fighting Position. 
"Where possible the occupation of the position should be carried out under 
cover from the enemy and fire opened on him unexpectedly. The guns may often 
be unlimbered a little in rear of the position, and the guns run up by hand after 
the line of fire has been pointed out and the guns laid. In action the intervals 
between the guns need not be the same—every advantage should be taken of the 
ground for them. It will often be advantageous to unlimber to a flank in occupy¬ 
ing a position, and all the guns of a battery need not unlimber in the same way, 
but should each take advantage of the ground. 
1 Presumably “ line of sub-division columns.” 
(To be continued). 
