612 
COMMENDED ESSAY, 1892 . 
the batteries from the larger stations is not good. Only one out of 
10 batteries from single out-stations failed to qualify for a prize. 
Nineteen out of 24, from those stations where more than two batteries 
are quartered, did so fail ; and only one first prize was secured 
amongst them. In such places many things militate against prelimi¬ 
nary instruction. The distances to the gun-parks and drill grounds 
are greater, and also the number of men that are employed, and out of 
the Major's reach. There is seldom any ground close to barracks 
where laying, signalling, and range-finding can be carried on in spare 
moments. 
This raises the question of administration, and the local oppor¬ 
tunities that are given to batteries. 
Colonel Maurice, after repeating Prince Kraft's maxims that artil¬ 
lery must (1) be able to hit ; (2) be in a position to come into action 
at the right moment, writes :—“ It depends far more, in England, 
upon Generals commanding districts and divisions, and on their staffs, 
than upon artillery officers whether this result is attained or not. It 
is almost impossible for the most zealous artillery officer to keep up 
the confidence and spirits of his battery, and to keep their work to 
the proper level, if on every occasion they find that, because ho insists 
on work being properly done, some other battery which is amusing 
itself with sham firing gets all the credit of superior smartness." 1 2 
These are grave words, and pregnant with influence on Fire Discipline. 
At Aldershot, Sir Evelyn Wood, and the senior regimental officers, 
have assimilated all artillery movements but actual battery drill to 
service conditions. Except for the “ Grand Parade," brigade drill is 
practically abolished. Batteries have opportunities of teaching their 
drivers to make long steady advances into the preliminary position, to 
avoid exposure in bringing their guns into action, to place their lim¬ 
bers under cover, and to limber up from a distance with rapidity and 
without confusion. But there is reason to fear even so much is not 
done at other large stations. 
Woolwich, the head-quarters of the Regiment, is most generally 
known, and may be taken as an example. Six service and six depot 
batteries are quartered there at present. All mounted drills must 
take place on Plumstead and Woolwich Commons, or on the public 
roads. It is improbable, owing to the price of land, that a much 
larger area will ever be obtained. It is difficult to see how the excel¬ 
lent advice of Lord Roberts can be carried out, “ At every drill 
parade of the battery or brigade, one or more positions shall be taken 
up for coming into action under service conditions, with regard not 
only to the selection of the position and the manoeuvring of the batteries 
up to them, but to the carrying out of all details. Shells and cartridges 
should be brought up to the guns, fuzes bored and set, the guns 
accurately laid, puffs of powder burned to test observation of fire, 
&c." 3 Yet it applies as much to the Common as to the Maidan. 
From October till May there is no single place where a wheeled 
carriage can be driven into action and the guns fired with blank; or 
1 “ Essay on War,” by Colonel Maurice, It.A, 
2 Speech at Delhi, 1892, - 
