320 
FIELD ARTILLERY FIRE. 
that can be covered. By bursting the shell further back from the 
target a greater front can be covered; but the effect produced is not so 
complete on accouut of the bullets being more scattered. 
There are three kinds of distribution to be brought under review, 
viz.: Distribution in Breadth, Height and Depth. The first two have 
identically the same design of disturbing, and if possible subjugating 
the enemy's fire over his whole front. 
Distribution in breadth. This is the most common form and is for 
application against extended fronts. When applied to artillery the 
most usual form is to distribute the fire gun to gun; the case of there 
being a superiority on one side will be noticed later on. When ap¬ 
plied against an infantry or cavalry target a certain portion of the 
target is allotted to each battery and this is carefully pointed out to 
the gun-layers, who then divide it among themselves without further 
direction, according to the situation of their guns in the battery. 
This being the most common form of distribution it should be the 
most often practised at drill. Gun-layers should be taught that a 
distributed fire is the normal condition when once ranging has been 
completed, and therefore when the first shrapnel is put into their guns 
they should at once turn away from the ranging point on to their own 
particular portion of the target; this they are often unwilling to do 
and will not do so without constant supervision until the habit has be¬ 
come thoroughly ingrained in them. There is a word of command in 
the drill-book to “ Distribute the fire " which appears unnecessary, 
as everyone should be taught to do so as a matter of course; if any 
word of command is necessary it should be when it is not desired to 
distribute the fire. 
Distribution in height. This form is applicable in the attack of build¬ 
ings or of troops in tiers of shelter-trenches and has the same object, 
a disturbing effect over the whole front at once. The only example 
that can be quoted is that of the first battery that arrived to assist in 
the attack on the Chateau of Geissburg, August 4th, 1870, which 
“was told off by sections to shell the different stories of the building." 
(Official Account, Translation, Vol. I., p. 133). 
In firing at a captive balloon it will also be sometimes necessary to 
distribute the fire in height for it is a common practice to slowly raise 
and lower the balloon, at the same time moving the wagon to which it 
is attached, in order to baffle the fire directed at it. The Battery 
Commander, having ranged with time shrapnel (the assistance of an 
observing party being indispensable in this case) should order the Centre 
Section to take the elevation found, the Right Section a degree more 
and the Left Section a degree less, aim is taken at the car of the bal- 
loon and fire is by salvos. 
Distribution in depth. This form of distribution is applicable in the 
attack of woods and villages and has for its object the driving back of 
the enemy to such a distance within his position that he shall not be 
able to return to the front edge before the attacking infantry arrive 
there. 
Colonel von Dresky gives a graphic account of the attack on the 
copse in front of la Folie Farm on August 18th, 1870. The lisiere of 
