62 
FIELD FORTIFICATION. 
to the effect of weapons, as resistance to shock : an obstacle to break the 
sudden rush of a determined and powerful enemy, and to retain him 
under fire: an enclosure to contain transport animals, &c., and, if 
possible, a screen from the view of the enemy, are the chief needs. 
Against a civilised foe the use of obstacles is sometimes not so 
essential, and the “cover” must be designed to resist and protect from 
the projectiles of the newest weapons. 
(3.) With what object the works are to be constructed . 
This must have a very great influence upon their design: thus, the 
works constructed in advance of a prepared battle-field, works which 
it is not intended to hold against a determined attack, but which are 
merely to be occupied by a comparatively small force long enough to 
compel the enemy to show his hand and deploy to some extent, should 
obviously not have the same time and labour spent on them as is spent 
on works designed to bear the real stress of the battle. Not only 
would it be discouraging to troops to abandon without determined 
resistance works on which much labour had been expended, but there 
would be a danger of the use of the stronger forms of works leading 
to a prolonged resistance, ending in the battle being fought, not in the 
carefully prepared position in rear selected for it, but in an advanced 
and false one. 
Again, works well suited for portions of a battle-field over which 
a counter-attack in force is contemplated would be very ill suited for 
those strong pivots of the position which are designed to c< draw ” and 
resist the main shock of attack. 
And, similarly, the type of fortification required for the defence of 
posts on line of communications, designed to receive and shelter con¬ 
voys, but to be defended by small permanent garrisons is different 
from that required on battle-fields. 
(4.) Within what time the works are to be constructed. 
Time imposes this limit on the design of works, that they must 
either be capable of being completed in the time available, or they 
must at least be defensible before completion. The difficulty is 
generally met practically by designing works capable of being exe¬ 
cuted in a short time, but also capable of being readily modified and 
improved should more time than was originally expected be available. 
Here, again, the importance of utilising and improving existing cover, 
may be noticed, as affording a means of obtaining good protection in a 
short time. 
(5.) What means and materials are available . 
The utilisation of the means and materials available, to the best pur¬ 
pose, is the highest test of the skill and practical knowledge of the 
officer charged with the execution of work: over the preceding four 
conditions he has no control ; but had he at disposal such means and 
materials as he required, his difficulties would not be so great. It is the 
need of working with what he can find that makes his task a hard one. 
Not only is there often a great want of suitable materials, but there is 
often a want of most necessary tools in sufficient quantities. It is with 
difficulty that modern armies can be moved at all and furnished with 
