FIELD ARTILLERY FIRE. 
261 
the short bracket, and verification takes place on the lower elevation 
thereof. 
When the battery has been ranged the difference between the 
elevation arrived at and the initial elevation, as expressed by the final 
number of turns given, is reduced to millimetres of sight, and the 
sights are then corrected for continuance of fire. 
Example.—Estimated range 1800 metres. The C.O. orders for the 
whole battery the elevation for 1600 metres, viz., 32*5 millimetres of 
sight. 
No. 1 gun, 
No. 2 , s 
No. 3 „ 
No. 4 „ 
No. 5 „ 
No. 6 ,, 
No. 1 „ 
32*5 millimetres of 
sight 
Short. 
51 55 
33 
plus 1 turn 
of elevating screw. 
Short. 
55 55 
33 
,, 2 turns 
33 
3 3 3 3 
Over. 
55 li „ 
3 3 3 3 
? 
55 55 
33 
1 i 
55 -*-2 55 
33 
33 3 2 
Short. 
55 55 
33 
11 
5 5 >5 5 
33 
3 3 3 3 
Over. 
5 5 55 
33 
55 J-8 55 
33 
33 3 3 
Over. 
(Commands are given for such amounts as If turns 1 turn, plus i 
turn, plus J turn.”) 
The short bracket is now 325 millimetres plus 1\ turns, and 32'5 
millimetres plus If turns. 
The word of command is now “ Guns laid, with elevating screw 
plus lb turns. Other guns, increase the sight by 10*5 millimetres.” 
The Sectional Officers then give the command for 43 millimetres of 
sight, which is taken by all the guns. 
Advantages of a System of Ranging by Elevating Screw . 
a. It is rapid, because after each round observed the following 
round can be fired after a simple turn of the elevating wheel, 
which can be done, so to speak, instantaneously. 
b. It is easy of application, whatever the number of guns. 
c. It can be employed with advantage against cavalry. 
Disadvantages of the German System . 
a. The use of the elevating screw is based upon an inexact prin¬ 
ciple, which depends on the admission that one turn of the 
screw gives a difference in range which is a constant quantity. 
This constant, fixed at 100 motres per quarter turn, is only 
applicable to medium distances. Towards the limits of these 
distances (1000 to 2000 metres) the mean of 100 metres 
assumed to be given by one quarter turn differs sensibly from 
the real correction given. It follows, therefore, that when one 
is obliged to calculate from the result of two rounds, one of 
which has been corrected by the elevating screw and the other 
by the sights, great errors may be committed. 
b. The system involves, on the part of the subaltern officers, an 
interpretation of orders instead of a repetition. 
c. If the system is to be applied at all it should be suited to all 
ranges and not merely to medium distances, 
