138 
FIELD ARTILLERY FIRE. 
and hidden from the view of the enemy. The selection of a position 
for the second line of wagons is treated of under the heading of 
“ Ammunition Supply.” 
In the later stages of the fight it will seldom be possible to select a 
preparatory position, nor would time permit of its being occupied, and 
the batteries will have to advance straight into the firing position 
selected and reconnoitred for them by the Lieut.-Colonel, but, at the 
long ranges at which the earlier stages of the fight take place, the lie 
of the ground will generally offer suitable preparatory positions within 
easy reach of the firing position. 
The Lieut.-Colonel then sends off his Adjutant to guide the 
batteries into the preparatory position, himself remaining on the firing 
position in observation of the enemy. When the batteries have arrived 
in the preparatory position he calls up the battery commanders, who 
dismount before reaching him and keep as much as possible under 
cover. When they have come up to him he 
1. Points out the full extent of the target and apportions it 
among them. 
2. Communicates sufficient of the GeneraPs tactical sketch to 
enable them to readily follow the proposed operation and 
thus, by knowing beforehand what is required of them, to 
be able, on receipt of an order from him, to turn their fire 
upon the proper portions of the target in succession accord¬ 
ing to the sequence of the fight. 
3. Gives instructions if any special nature of fire is required of 
them, otherwise the choice of projectile is usually left to 
battery commanders. 
4. Tells them what rate of fire is desired, i.e., if a delaying 
action, slow deliberate fire to economise ammunition, if a 
decisive action, ordinary, or, in some cases, rapid fire to 
force a solution as quickly as possible. 
5. Indicates to them the general alignment upon which he pro¬ 
poses that their batteries should take up position. 
While the above instructions are being given to the battery com¬ 
manders, the batteries in the preparatory position are being got ready, 
guns loaded and prepared, carefully inspected as to their fitness for 
immediate action, and depressed so that their muzzles may be in 
the correct position, or at least horizontal, when unlimbered (a saving 
of time with slow motion elevating gear, such as that of the Mark II. 
12-pr. carriage), portable magazines and tube pockets filled, two of 
the case-shot brought from the wagon and placed upon the gun, etc. 
The battery commanders having received their instructions as to 
target, position, etc. (to be dealt with more in -detail hereafter) they 
will proceed to the places that they propose to occupy in action and 
thus mark for one flank of their batteries, they will at once communi¬ 
cate to their range-takers the portion of the target to which they 
desire the range to be found, and the latter will proceed with the 
operation. A signal is then made by each commander to his battery, 
