FIELD FORTIFICATION, 
89 
hollows of ground with felled trees to prevent their being used to 
shelter large bodies of the enemy within a short distance of the line 
of defence. It has occurred to me that a “ burning ” obstacle would 
be effective in such cases, provided smoke was not produced in 
sufficient quantities to hide the enemy. 
A somewhat different treatment is necessary in preparing obstacles 
for the defence of encampments or isolated posts, such as that referred 
to in the second instance quoted. In such cases the obstacle should, 
if possible, be effective even against individuals; it should be very much 
nearer to the line, of defence, as it might otherwise be crossed, removed, 
or destroyed at leisure under cover of darkness : for it is often impos¬ 
sible, especially in savage warfare, to maintain sentries outside the line 
of defence at night; the existence of an obstacle quite near the line of 
defence will often be a means of obtaining “ notice” of the movements 
of an enemy, and it will break the rush of determined savages. Short 
stakes set close together, inclined towards the enemy and pointed after 
they are driven, form a most formidable obstacle : formed of bamboo, 
with sharp edges as well as sides (to make them difficult to grasp to 
draw out), they are much used by hill tribes in India, and are known 
as panjies. 
General Preparation of a Battle-field. 
Limits of time prevent my dealing at greater length with details of 
defences, and I now propose to attempt to deal briefly with'some of the 
points that arise in connection with the general preparation of a battle- 
held. 
First, we should, I think, consider what the attacker would desire to 
do. Briefly stated, I think his first requirements are, to be able to 
deploy his artillery safely within effective range of the main defensive 
position, and to be able to bring up the bulk of his infantry in column 
of route to his artillery position. He would then be able to draw the 
fire of the defenders from the main position, and could systematically 
dispose of his infantry for the attack. 
To compel him to show his hand earlier, to bring his artillery into 
action, and to deploy, and thus to some extent lose control over some 
of his infantry at a distance from the main position, the defender 
resorts to advanced posts. The main point to be borne in mind in 
preparing these is, that they are not intended to be held too resolutely ; 
there is always a danger in connection with the use of advanced posts, 
that a too resolute defence may lead to a difficulty in withdrawing .the 
defenders, and then eventually, to the battle being fought in the 
advanced position, instead of in the carefully prepared position in rear. 
The fortification of the advanced position would, therefore, chiefly con¬ 
sist in the utilisation and adaptation of existing cover; care being 
taken to provide full facilities for withdrawing the troops from their 
position readily, and to arrange that the cover provided shall be of 
as little use as possible to the enemy when evacuated. The conduct of 
the defence of the advanced posts sufficiently long to force the enemy 
to show his hand to some extent, without too seriously entangling the 
troops, is rather a tactical than an engineering matter, and I will not 
refer further to it. But I would point out that the modern rifle enables 
