140 
FIELD ARTILLERY FIRE. 
be heard until tbe new elevation, following the first round observed, 
is given. 
It has been objected by those accustomed to the old dashing method 
of coming into action, that the above proceedings are lengthy and a 
waste of time. This, however, is not the case. At ranges of 2500 
yards and upwards the position of the batteries is not generally 
disclosed, if reasonable precautions are observed, until they open fire, 
or perhaps, sometimes, until their simultaneous appearance on the 
firing position and then the sooner they open fire the better, and they 
are likely to do it quicker if they have been previously instructed 
rather than if these instructions are only communicated to them when 
in position. Considering the terrible ordeal of the artillery duel in 
which they are about to engage, and that "the choice of the first 
artillery position will frequently be decisive of the advance ” (German 
Field Artillery Regulations, para. 265) it would be a piece of criminal 
carelessness if every possible step were not taken to ensure success 
before they are committed to the combat. No one can deny that it is 
easier to communicate detailed instructions to a small group in close 
proximity than to a battery at full interval, that has, perhaps, already 
drawn and is standing under the fire of the enemy, and (e it must be 
well understood that regulations can only be quietly and accurately 
carried out so long as one is not under fire ” (von Rohne). The eight 
or ten minutes employed in giving these instructions is but a small 
percentage of the time taken up by the artillery duel and is really a 
saving of time since, as all ranks come into position with a full know¬ 
ledge of what is required of them, they are enabled to proceed to work 
more quickly and with greater confidence, and are thus likely to arrive at 
an effective fire much sooner than if they were hustled into position with¬ 
out being aware of the business before them. Besides this, in a great 
action, batteries are frequently detained for some time in preparatory 
positions while the whole of the artillery is being massed to the front 
and while the reconnaissance is being completed, the time at disposal 
would then be ample for these dispositions. 
An axiom among foreign gunners is that “ the best protection from 
the fire of the enemy lies in our own fire,” therefore if we can be the 
first to open an effective fire the enemy are little likely to find even our 
range correctly, indeed, a German text-book goes so far as to say that 
“ the victory will be to the artillery that first finds the range.” All 
the more reason then that we should not enter upon this important 
process without first taking every possible step to compel victory. 
In spite of the desirability of this detailed pointing out it will not 
always be possible, and this will generally be the case during the later 
stages of the fight, but it will often happen that instructions can be 
given before the fire has ceased on the first position, an advantage 
that will greatly accelerate the opening of an effective fire after the 
advance into the second position. Under such conditions it is desirable 
that the Lieut.-Colonel, having selected the firing position, should leave 
his Adjutant on it as a marker and himself return and lead his bat¬ 
teries into action, or at all events the leading battery to which the 
others should conform, in order that he may take full advantage of any 
