572 
SILVER MEDAL PRIZE ESSAY, 1879 . 
infantry, and tlie late war in Turkey has increased the opinion that 
infantry must be closely supported in the future during attacks on 
entrenched positions. The opinion is also gaining ground—most 
unpalatable to artillerymen—that the loss of guns will not be held of 
much importance so long as the general object in view is gained. If 
this is the case, it would be a consolation to do as much damage as 
possible before the final catastrophe—that is, to maintain our fire as 
long as possible; and this may be greatly aided by protecting our 
men from infantry. This, again, can only be done by the use of steel 
shields. That guns under fire may often be silenced, owing to the 
casualties amongst the men, is fully shown in Hoffbauer's narrative. 
D. —The late war in Turkey has increased the impression that infantry 
will require support at close ranges. This will necessitate the use of 
guns having the greatest mobility possible, and Captain von Trotha 
naturally draws the conclusion that they will have to be of the smallest 
calibres now in use. Since, however, long range is not so much an 
object, why should we not sacrifice range in order to get guns carrying 
a heavier shell, without decreasing the mobility ? The introduction 
of such a gun appears attended with no special difficulty; a rifled 
howitzer of about 9 cwt., carrying a shell of 25 lbs., would appear to 
meet the case. 
The advantages would be that, not only would you have a more 
effective projectile, especially against entrenchments, but that, owing to 
the greater angle of descent of the projectile, fire could be maintained 
much longer over the heads of advancing infantry, without endangering 
them—with percussion fuzes, almost up to the moment of assault. 
Now, it is during the last phase of the attack that support by 
artillery fire is so much needed, especially in the assault of earthworks, 
in which blinded cover is much used. At present the defenders keep 
under cover until the attackers* artillery is compelled to cease firing, 
owing to the risk to their own infantry; they are then able to oppose 
the attack without exposure to artillery fire. I believe this difficulty 
would in a great measure be got over by the use of howitzers, as a 
plunging fire from heavy shells could be kept up until the last moment. 
This would either force the defenders to keep longer under cover, or, 
if they exposed themselves, inflict loss and affect their morale. 
There are some minor points in equipment which it would be well to 
touch on. 
Range Finding. 
Every battery should have a trained range-finding party, furnished 
with suitable range-finders. 
This is now very important, as it will be a great object to expose a 
battery as little as possible before it can open an effective fire. 
The party would accompany the battery commanding officer, or other 
superior officer who may have to select the battery positions. As soon 
