SHRAPNEL EIRE. 
205 
Up to 1725 yds. range, the distances between the points where the 
shell can be burst leave little to be desired; but as soon as this limit is 
passed and the 5-secs, fuze can no longer be used, the differences are 
doubled. In other words, as the range increases and it becomes more 
than ever necessary to burst within narrower limits, the possibility of 
doing so is taken away. 
Suppose, for instance, an object is 1860 yds. distant; the choice is 
gwen of bursting at 1875, when the whole effect is absolutely lost, or at 
1725 yds.—135 yds. short, which would certainly entail a considerable 
loss compared with 80 yds. which has been shown to be the best 
distance. 
Having' thus attempted to examine closely the action of shrapnel, we 
may proceed to consider its application to the various requirements of 
actual service. First as to objects, and then ranges. 
The objects are men and horses which can be struck by a direct fire 
or effective ricochet. As the conditions under which cavalry, artillery, 
and infantry expose themselves in such a manner differ, and the three 
arms present in themselves such different targets, it may be as well to 
consider them separately. 
1. Cavalry and artillery when mounted present a considerable height 
to the effects of fire. In such a case the ascending angle of percussion 
shrapnel, though still diminishing its power, does not do so to so great 
an extent as with dismounted men; and with them, therefore, a freer use 
of percussion shrapnel may be allowed. 
Cavalry may expose themselves in large masses without movement—* 
only, however, as a rule, at long ranges; and, as will be shown further on, 
percussion shrapnel will then generally be used. 
At ordinary or short ranges, cavalry when in masses will almost 
always be in rapid movement; and this again may make the use of per¬ 
cussion fuzes desirable. 
In both these cases however time shrapnel will, shell for shell, give 
a far greater result; and if the skill of the battery and time will admit, 
it should be used. 
Cavalry may attempt the capture of a battery by a sudden flank attack. 
Shrapnel with percussion fuzes ought to be used if they discover them¬ 
selves soon enough; for time is thus saved, and, the range being short 
and the ground necessarily good, they will be very effective; but case 
must take their place at the very first possible moment. 
Small bodies of cavalry or a General's Staff will at times afford an 
object which it may be desirable to attack. Percussion shrapnel may 
perhaps afford the best means of taking them by surprise; but the 
practice must be very good to ensure fair results as the range will very 
generally be considerable. 
2. When artillery is the object of attack the aim may be either to 
keep down their fire or destroy their mobility. The former is most 
easily effected by causing large losses amongst the men; the latter, 
among the horses. It need hardly be insisted upon that the old idea of 
crippling a battery by injury to materiel caused by common shell is- 
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