540 
ORGANISATION AND EMPLOYMENT OE SIEGE ARTILLERY. 
On esti¬ 
mating tlie 
proportion 
of each des¬ 
cription of 
projectile. 
Lessons 
from war 
of 1870-1, 
to assist 
in above 
estimate. 
Second 
artillery 
position. 
Greater 
difficulties 
in arming 
batteries 
of second 
position. 
The proportion* of the above-named projectiles to be supplied to 
each battery can only be decided on the spot, after a careful con¬ 
sideration of the primary object to be attained by each piece and the 
characteristic properties of the various projectiles; the number of 
each nature must, however, be fixed beforehand, and the supply for 
each battery be disposed in the manner most suitable to facilitate their 
rapid conveyance to the trenches. 
To assist in estimating the proportion of the different projectiles, 
the following experiences derived from the war of 1870-1 are given:—* 
Double shell were found most useful for destroying supported masonry, 
hollow traverses, and bomb-proofs. 
The incendiary effect of common shells was in many cases very un¬ 
certain, and delayed often for a long time; so that the introduction of 
a special incendiary projectile has since taken place. 
Shrapnel fire was used to a limited extent only in the sieges, because 
the time of burning of the existing fuze would only permit the use of 
the projectile up to about 2250 metres. A special report says;— 
“ This must be considered a mistake; for in several cases, when the 
fight with the enemy's guns was carried on at some distance and was 
therefore indecisive, the shrapnel would have been very suitable for 
silencing the enemy's fire temporarily, by driving off the gun detach¬ 
ments. One case, which is a telling proof of this, occurred on the 
fourth day at the siege of Soissons." 
From this position will be fought out the great artillery battle 
between the besieged and besiegers. Ordnance will be required—f 
(1) For fighting the enemy's artillery, 
(2) For effecting breaches and demolitions, 
(3) For keeping under infantry fire, 
(4) For making lodgements f 
and for various reasons greater difficulties are likely to be met with in 
arming the batteries; e.g. 
The proximity of the enemy may enable him to hear the working 
parties, and the noise becoming a guide to him for direction, will, as 
well as the shorter range, render his fire more accurate. 
The site of the batteries of the first position will enable him to 
estimate pretty correctly the probable position in which nearer bat¬ 
teries are likely to be formed. Thus there arises a further probability 
of the work being interrupted. 
As the batteries will have to be constructed and armed in probably 
two short reliefs, J a different type of battery must usually be made— 
viz., “ sunken." The earth to form such being taken from the front 
and rear of the parapet, the artillery will not be able to set to work 
* This point is discussed in Major Kemmis’ prize essay. (“Proceedings, R.A. Inst.,” Vol. X.) 
f Major Kemmis’ prize essay. 
Z R.M, Academy Test Book on Fortification, Part II., par. 437. 
