FIELD ARTILLERY FIRE. 
271 
If two batteries are simultaneously engaging a target and are 
inconvenienced by one anothers* smoke, and if neither of the above 
remedies is possible then it would be advisable to cease firing with the 
two contiguous half batteries of the centre and continue ranging with 
the two outer half batteries, a large interspace between the guns firing is 
thus secured. After the ranging, when accuracy of observation is not 
of such great importance, the temporarily silent guns would resume 
their fire, being layed by means of auxiliary laying points. The same 
remedy applies to larger bodies ; if any batteries of a line are to 
remain temporarily silent to facilitate observation of others it must be 
those of the centre. The question of the number of batteries to 
range at the same time is discussed on page 272. 
It will be seen that most of the difficulties arising from our own 
smoke are to be met by action taken by the Commanders of the 
Brigade Divisions; and in the selection of a position the direction of 
the wind should be carefully noted, and the placing of the batteries 
with reference to it and the succession of their fire be closely considered 
before they are actually placed upon it. 
Flank from which jive should commence . Under the head of difficulties 
arising from our own smoke it will be as well to discuss the question 
of the flank of the battery from which fire should begin in order to 
avoid the difficulties of laying arising from smoke. With the wind 
either up or down the range it is immaterial from which flank fire is 
opened, but with a side wind we have a choice of commencing either 
from the windward or the leeward flank. 
The leeward flank is always chosen when firing at a moving target, 
because the smoke drifting in front of the guns that have just fired, 
those about to fire can follow the object over the sights up to the 
moment of firing. When a strong breeze is blowing fire may also be 
opened from the leeward flank against a standing object, but it has 
been pointed out that heavy and continued firing, such as that in a 
general engagement, has the effect of deadening the wind, and that 
most often one has to deal with gentle breezes; in this case, the target 
being a standing one, it is immaterial that the sights be kept upon the 
object until the last moment, but it is material that it should be pos<- 
sible to relay the guns immediately after firing. Therefore with a 
gentle wind for rapid firing against a standing target (such as the fire 
at the critical moment of the artillery duel) it is better that the success 
sion of fire should be from the windward towards the leeward flank. 
To avoid complications the rule may be summarised:— 
Fire is to be opened from the leeward flank against moving targets, 
and from the windward flank against standing targets. 
Difficulties arising from smoke.—That of the enemy. This is a condition 
which we cannot do away with unless the enemy has also adopted a 
smokeless powder. 
If we can once get the range, the continuation of fire by means of 
auxiliary marks is comparatively easy, but if the target is invisible 
from the first another difficulty is presented. We have two alter¬ 
natives :— 
a. To find the range and concentrate our fire on the windward 
