259 
FIELD ARTILLERY EIRE. 
BY 
CAPTAIN W. L. WHITE, R.A., 
(School of Gunnery, Shoeburyness.) 
CHAPTER V. 
Foreign Systems of Ranging.—Ranging by Elevating Screw.— 
Ranging Against a Moving Target. 
The foregoing application of the bracket system, as applied in 
England and Germany, is extremely simple and therefore little likely 
to break down; it is accurate but, under certain circumstances, and 
holding in view the advantage to be gained from a more rapid rang¬ 
ing than that of the enemy, it is considered by some to be too slow. 
The French and Germans have evolved other methods of using the 
bracket system in which, although the means employed are in each 
case similar, there is a difference in the application. 
Both these systems are based on the idea that each turn, or fraction 
of a turn, of the elevating screw gives a certain increase or decrease 
in the elevation. 
German System .—In Germany ranging by means of the elevating 
screw is only made use of when firing at a moving target; it is only 
attempted when the detachments are very well trained, and then only 
at medium and short ranges. It is considered at long ranges that the 
time gained by the use of the elevating screw is of less importance 
than at short ranges. 
The process is as follows :—All the guns are loaded and laid for 
the elevation due to the estimated range. After having fired his first 
round the C.O. gives the word “With elevating screw,” and calls out 
the new elevation. The Sectional Officers repeat the range, and also 
give the amount and direction of turn to be given to the elevating 
screw. These corrections are only given in quarter, half, three-quarter 
or whole turns, according as an alteration of 100, 200, 300 or 400 
metres is desired. At medium ranges a quarter turn gives a difference 
of about 100 metres. 
Example.—The O.O. has given 1600 metres as the range, and having 
fired No. 1 gun and the shell having fallen short, he gives 
1800 metres. 
6. YOL. XIX 
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