RUSSIAN ARTILLERY TACTICS. 
387 
which makes capital practice indeed, but which is never in the right 
place V 3 Discredited during the war of 1866, the Prussian artillery 
officers set to work to re-model the tactics of their arm in accordance 
with the changed conditions of modern fighting. The result of their 
labours during four years was that in the campaign of 1870-1 the action 
of the artillery was the theme of universal admiration throughout the 
Herman army, and Count Yon Moltke has himself acknowledged that 
the victory of Sedan was practically decided by the artillery alone 
before ever the infantry advanced. 
The great lesson, then, which the war of 1877-8 has to teach is, that Necessity 
which the war of 1870-1 previously taught—viz., the necessity for a thorough 
thorough tactical training of artillery during peace. However excel- training of 
lent the materiel may be, however scientific the teaching of the gunners, 2ing ry 
however perfect the equipment, unless the use of artillery in the field peace, 
in conjunction with infantry be also studied, and constantly practised, 
the tactical power of the arm in battle will not be fully developed. 
Artillery badly handled and badly led is only an incumbrance to a 
commander. “ Like the Queen at chess, it is either a source of great 
strength or weakness, according to the way we use it.” We may 
depend upon it that this is the correct teaching of the last war, and 
that what Capt. May affirmed to be the case in 1866 is more than .ever 
true now—viz., that “ in the next war, that side will obtain an uncon¬ 
ditional tactical preponderance which best knows how to make use of 
its artillery, or rather that side which does not put off this practice till 
the moment that the war commences; in fact, the side whose artillery 
has had the best tactical training.” 
