EMPLOYMENT OF FIELD ARTILLERY. 
343 
The artillery will commence the attack generally at long ranges—say 
2250 metres (about 2500 yards). Meanwhile the jnain body deploys, but 
awaits the issue of the artillery action before making a decisive advance. 
For advances of this sort require in most cases, and especially where 
localities are to be attacked, to be prepared by an effective fire against 
the objective point, which may necessitate the guns having to be 
brought to close ranges. 
When the infantry commence their decisive attack, a part of the 
batteries at least must accompany them in their advance, and from this 
time the artillery must direct its fire more especially on the enemy’s 
infantry. 
The artillery, when ordered to advance, ought as a rule to receive 
general directions- as to what position the officer commanding the 
troops intends them to occupy next; while it is left to the officer 
commanding the artillery (officer commanding divisional artilleries) 
to assign to the divisions their individual positions and special tasks. 
The officer commanding the artillery (officer commanding divisional 
artilleries) must, however, reconnoitre the ground and select new 
positions, as the battle affords opportunities. 
To be in a position effectively to support the attack during its 
decisive moment, the artillery must accompany the infantry as near 
to the objective point as it is possible for it to do without needlessly 
exposing itself to losses from infantry fire. 
When the infantry, during an attack, gets so near to the objective 
point that the artillery cannot continue to fire on it without danger 
to their own troops, it must direct its fire on the enemy’s batteries, 
remaining, however, ready to ward off any flank attacks which may be 
directed against the attacking infantry. 
If the enemy’s position is taken, a part at least of the batteries must 
follow as quickly as possible into it, and assist in holding it, while 
the other part, remaining in the old position, forms the necessary 
support, in the event of the infantry being again driven out of the 
captured position. In the latter case the guns thus left for retreating 
bodies to rally on must remain in action to the very last moment 
possible, to give the troops time to re-form under their protection. 
These guns, which have remained behind, must, in event of the 
infantry establishing themselves firmly in the captured position, be 
hurried up into it. 
It is most advantageous to place the guns so as to take the routed 
enemy in flank, and thus prevent his being able to make a fresh stand. 
A retreating enemy must be pursued by a rapid fire. 
Defence. 
The role of the artillery is to render the advance of an enemy a 
difficult undertaking by keeping the ground, over which he has to pass 
under an effective and where possible a flanking fire, and to oppose 
him from the first, while he is still gradually developing his attack, with 
the whole of its available strength. 
