ATTACK AND DEFENCE OF A POSITION. 
123 
tages of tlie power of bringing converging fire npon it, and of 
advancing with less loss than in a frontal attack, and if it is broken 
in upon the rest of the line is sure to be more or less seriously com¬ 
promised, and an attempt to repair the injury will meet with great 
difficulties, as the reserves will probably be less favourably placed 
for immediate action on a flank than in the centre. 
In former times there was always danger in weakening the centre 
of a line of battle for the purpose of making outflanking movements, 
but this danger is considerably lessened at present. ! he distance 
apart at which armies will now form their lines of battle is so great 
that it will be difficult for the defenders to see whether part of the 
assailants’ line has been dangerously weakened or not, and they will 
be chary of leaving their strong position for a counter attack which 
will have to be pushed a great distance to be effective, in ignorance 
whether they will not find after all the enemy in sufficient strength 
to meet them. And should circumstances lead to the development of 
masses of artillery about the centre of the attacking line, the front 
will be so strengthened thereby that other troops may be freely 
drawn from this point to strengthen flank attacks, as was shown very 
clearly at the battles of Woerth and Mars la Tour. 
Upon a review of these considerations, the general will decide upon 
his plans, and indicate the first positions for the artillery, and after 
sufficient time for effective artillery preparations, he will send his 
infantry forward to attack in the manner already sketched out. He 
should always retain a certain number of troops under his hand as a 
reserve to be employed as circumstances may render necessary. 
We have now to consider a little more in detail the management 
of the different arms in an attack. 
First, with regard to the infantry. In all cases the General in 
Chief will decide first what troops he will keep as a general reserve, 
and will then assign particular objects to be sought by the different 
units of the troops he sends forward to the attack, be they corps 
d’armee, divisions, or brigades. Then each of these units will be 
formed in two lines, or perhaps, in the case of large forces, in two lines 
and a reserve, and further, each battalion in first line will advance in 
three parts, according to the principles already laid down, the three 
parts being the fighting line, the supports, and the main body. 
Appendix (E) to G.O. 34 of 1st May, 1877, lays down formations 
for the attack of infantry organised as in our army, which carry out 
the principles that have been above enunciated. There is one point, 
however, in which it appears that a modification of, or addition to, the 
instructions, would be desirable. It is apparently intended that when 
the fighting line is reinforced by the companies in support, the men 
who are sent to reinforce should double in with the men ot the com¬ 
panies in the fighting line, thus mixing companies together. It is no 
doubt true that this mixture cannot be entirely prevented, but it is 
desirable that it should not take place more than is unavoidable, and 
it would seem preferable instead of distributing reinforcements equally 
along a fighting line weakened by casualties, to try and take advantage 
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