92 
COMPOSITION AND STRENGTH OP A SIEGE TRAIN 
a rule is even further distant. In short the besieger eventually remains 
at a distance of from 2500 to 4000 paces,” and “ consequently the dis¬ 
tance of the first batteries from the works will vary between these dis¬ 
tances, according to the ground.”* 
In confirmation of this we find that the experience of the Franco - 
German war of 1870, proved “that the ranges of the batteries in the 
first artillery position, or for purposes purely of bombardment, kept, 
almost without exception, near the extreme limit then laid down, i.e. 
3750m. (4101 yards.) This range was reached muchoftener than was 
expected. In many instances it was even desirable or necessary to 
exceed this distance.”! Since the war an increase in this limit has been 
aimed at and now the extreme ranges laid down for the different guns 
of the German siege train vary from 3800m. (4156 yards) to 8500m. 
(9295 yards) the average being about 5000m. (5468 yards.) 
But “ a second artillery position is necessary as the first is too far off 
to guarantee that certainty of hitting necessary for the absolute annihi¬ 
lation of the defensive powers of the besieged ” and “ the distance at 
which this should be placed will be somewhat less than half the dis¬ 
tance of the first; but as its position will depend a great deal upon the 
ground, no definite numbers can be laid down.”* And we find that, 
in the sieges during the Franco-German war of 1870, “ the real fighting 
ranges, at which the artillery battle (dismounting and ricochet batteries) 
was successfully fought out, lay generally within the limits laid down 
viz : from 900 to 1200m. (984 to 1312 yards.) The latter showed it¬ 
self to be the greatest admissible range for dismounting fire, although 
the wide French embrasures offering a mark that could be easily be hit, 
or destroyed, made it sometimes appear that a longer range could be 
used.”! Endeavour has been made, since the war, to increase the above 
limits, as in the case of those for the artillery of the first position, by 
increasing the accuracy and power of the guns and at preseut 1500m. 
(1640 yards) is assumed as the limit in the case of the German 12 c.m. 
guns. 
We have now to determine of what general description and nature 
of ordnance the siege train should consist; and this may, most con¬ 
veniently, be done by considering the pieces for each position separately 
and afterwards putting them together, as a whole. 
Descriptions and natures of ordnance for the first artillery 
position. —From this position the besieger should be able with his 
artillery fire to destroy all important buildings, as stores, depots, &c., 
all interior defensive expedients, shelters, &c., and to prevent prepara¬ 
tions for the defence by interrupting the arming, destroying the materiel 
and harassing communications, guards, working parties, &c ; he should 
also be able to engage the fortress artillery with decisive results; 
while, further, he has to use his own artillery in driving the enemy back 
within his works and in repelling sorties when made. 
* On Sieges, by Kraft, Prince of Hohenlohe-Ingelfingen. 
f Prussian Fortress and Siege Artillery, fourth part, by Major H. Muller. 
