WEST DOWN, 1899. 543 
Officer's dictation any essential extracts from the Army Corps Orders 
together with the orders of the O.C. Corps Arillery. 
5.—It did not appear sufficiently realized by all Brigade Division 
Commanders that one of their most important duties is to watch the 
tactical situation whilst in action. 
7.—One of the great difficulties in dealing with Artillery in large 
masses is that of “ Danger Angles/’ Careful leading and the correct 
occupation of a position is necessary to prevent the occurrence of 
“ Danger Angles,” which may render large numbers of guns brought 
into action incapable of being fired. 
12. —It is a great fault for a Brigade Division when under fire to 
limber up, and then wait on the position before moving off. 
Brigade Divisions of Batteries, whether acting in Brigade Divisions 
or alone, when once limbered up should move without delay under the 
nearest cover, or at least out of the aimed fire directed on the position 
which is being vacated, and there await further orders. Similarly, 
though advances into action are to be continous as far as possible, 
Brigade Divisions and Batteries, unless the “ line of fire ” is indicated 
and the Commander is ready, should not come up on the crest line 
and unnecessarily expose themselves, but remain halted temporarily 
under any available cover. 
13. —Brigade Divisions frequently formed battery column at once, 
when moving off from a position under fire ; line should be maintained 
until the unit is under cover, or has moved sufficiently far to be out of 
the enemy’s fire directed on the position just vacated. 
17. —In a retirement it is important that specific instructions be given 
to the wagon line Commanders, as to the direction of the proposed 
retirement, and the new position which is to be occupied. 
18. —It does not appear to be generally understood that the distance 
of the wagon line from the guns is based on the depth of the shrapnel 
zone. Thus, at extreme ranges, the wagon line at 200 yards may be 
safe from effective shrapnel fired at the guns, but at short ranges the 
remaining velocity of the shrapnel will necessitate a distance between 
the wagon line and the guns of 400 yards. 
20.—When wagons are brought up for “Wagon supply” the horses 
should be sent to the rear as soon as possible, each team proceeding 
independently and not waiting for the remaining teams of the Battery. 
