644 
COMMENDED ESSAY, 1892 . 
act as Section Commanders and “ Nos. 1.” A blackboard is required, 
and it should be ruled with white paint so as to roughly represent the 
battery practice report. 
The instructor sets a problem, consisting of a certain target on 
which fire is to be opened, and gives an estimated range varying more 
or less from what it is to be ultimately verified at. He also personifies 
the observer, and calls out “ plus,” “ minus,” or “ unobserved,” as 
well as the height of the time shrapnel burst, having previously pre¬ 
pared for himself for each series a memorandum somewhat as follows :— 
“ Series 1. Error of the day : + 150 yds. Fuze error : — Rounds 
unobserved : 2, 4, and 7. Incorrectly observed : Round 1. Fresh 
target after round 14.” Its contents should naturally be only com¬ 
municated to the Ranging Officer in the subsequent consideration of 
the series. 
The tasks set should begin with the simplest targets, such as stand¬ 
ing ones with easy observation ; these being followed by ones with 
more difficult and faulty observation, and others moving at various 
rates. When these single targets are thoroughly mastered each series 
should include the change of fire to a fresh target in the middle of the 
series, and without interrupting the fire save the delay necessary 
merely for the giving of the words of command. 
A discussion should come at the end of each series ; the errors made 
should be pointed out and stress should be laid, not only on correct 
ranging and fuze regulating, but also on the correctness of the 
words of command given. There is much room for improvement 
in these last when fire is switched from one target to another, especially 
in the description of the target. Not a single necessary word should 
be omitted; not one superfluous one inserted. Clearness and concise¬ 
ness are of supreme importance. The best way of considering each 
series is for the commander to report what he was ordered to do, what 
he did, and his reasons for departing from any rules according to the 
necessities of the case. After this some other officer present may be 
asked to give his opinion on any special point, and the instructor then 
makes his criticism. There will, doubtless, be many points where the 
correct course is a mere matter of opinion, but in most cases the results 
will decide the point, and the officer making the mistake will often be 
the first to recognise it. 
The ranging should be done without reference to the range table or 
use of note-book. Very little practice will enable officers to remember 
the elevations and fuze for the round numbers of the range table, and 
to rapidly apply the rule for interpolating the intervening angles and 
lengths of fuze. The use of a note-book by the officer ranging is 
much to be deprecated. It is unlikely on service, and every effort 
should be made to train the memory so as to be absolutely independent 
of it. The advantage of the non-commissioned officers taking part in 
this ranging practice is that not only do they get to thoroughly 
understand every move of the game, but also qualify themselves to 
replace casualties if need be among their superiors. 
Fire Discipline may now be practised by the battery in the same 
manner on parade, familiarity with the rules and the range tables hav- 
