ATTACK AND DEFENCE OF A POSITION. 
133 
the action has not yet reached the stage of decisive counterstroke. 
Should, however, the enemy succeed in approaching within dangerous 
proximity, so that an assault on an important point may be expected, 
portions of the troops in second line should be brought up in order by 
counter-attack at favourable opportunities, to ward off the threatened 
danger. These counterstrokes will be delivered with most effect on 
the flanks of the troops assailing any point, and their judicious timing 
will be a matter of good judgment. If delivered too soon the enemy 
may be able to repulse them, and if not soon enough it may be too 
late to save the post. When the enemy has approached within rushing 
distance of the point of attack, the troops destined to make the 
counterstroke should be brought up in close proximity to the 
threatened point and formed ready for immediate advance, but still 
kept, if possible, under cover. Then a forward movement, just as the 
assailants are disordered by their rush to the assault, will very pro¬ 
bably be crowned with success. The troops occupying the main line 
of defence should, as a rule, not take part in this counter-attack, but 
remain prepared for any return movement on the part of the more 
rearward lines of the attackers. In this manner the fight will be 
continued, the action wavering backwards and forwards until the 
strength of one side or other is exhausted. Reinforcements, if need 
be, must be sent to the defensive line from the reserves, but the latter 
should be kept intact as long as possible for the decisive counter¬ 
strokes. 
When, where, and how to deliver these decisive counterstrokes is 
the most difficult problem for a General acting on the defensive to 
decide. In lormer days, when battles were usually fought on open 
plains, with the two armies drawn up within view of one another at no 
great distance apart, a General could see if his adversary made any 
mistake and gave him an opportunity of striking ; but in these days, 
it will be very difficult for a General on the defensive to know whether 
the assailant has exhausted his strength at any point so that a counter¬ 
attack will have a fair chance of success, and he will be liable to let 
the favourable time pass by, in fear lest he should be drawn from his 
strong position and use up his reserves whilst his enemy has still 
troops in hand to repel his attack and punish him for his false move. 
In making a right decision under these circumstances a General will 
have full scope for showing his discernment and genius, and it is im¬ 
possible to give any definite rules by which he may be guided. One 
consideration may, however, be mentioned, which might give a clue 
to a right judgment If an attack which is evidently a real one and 
has been pressed on with vigour and determination, continually 
strengthened by fresh troops from time to time, begins to slacken in 
its intensity, it is a fair deduction that there are no more reserves 
immediately available on that part of the field, for it is a maxim 
that serious attacks once begun should not be allowed to wane, but 
should be continuously pushed on to the end. 3 herefore, a General 
commanding on any part of a field of battle finding an important 
attack slackening, will probably find himself in presence of an oppor- 
