700 
FIRE DISCIPLINE AND SKILL-AT-ARMS. 
commanding and leading of the Brigade Division is of more importance 
than ever. 
(2.) That the power of striking the enemy the most powerful blow 
possible is of paramount importance, and that Rapidity of Movement, 
Fire Power, and Fire Discipline combined will achieve this object. 
I take the first of these statements. I do not think the question 
admits of argument. It is generally agreed to ; but it cannot help 
occurring to the Regimental Officer that he never has an opportunity, 
under the rank of Lieut.-Colonel, of handling a Brigade Division, 
except possibly at Aldershot, or at a practice camp in India. By 
handling I do not mean the putting the Brigade Division through the 
half-dozen movements left us in the Drill-Book, I mean it as General 
Sir W. Williams means it. I mean the personal command and leading 
of it. If there was constant practice to be had in leading a Brigade 
Division, I believe it would be quite possible in time, for an officer to 
lead his command personally into position and open fire, without any 
of the tedious delays complained of by General Sir W. Williams. I 
am as strongly opposed as he is to bringing up the Brigade Division 
into position in the way one is now supposed to do. In fact, I think it 
would be impossible on service and, possible or impossible, I feel sure 
it would not be so done, for it is as he terms it “ unwarlike.” At the 
same time I consider the present system has had its uses, but that 
these aids to handling, to careful driving, and to movement must now 
disappear from the Drill-Book. The system has shewn us how neces¬ 
sary it is to bring guns, at full interval, square up to the position 
to be occupied. Great attention and instruction is given to our 
gunners. Equal care must be taken with our drivers who, when they 
know what is expected of them, will do as well as they generally have 
done. In the same way, our Nos. 1 require more training in leading* 
their sub-divisions. Constant practice, long advances in line, and prac¬ 
tice in changing direction would give the leader and his command 
confidence. 
The tedious delays referred to above are caused by : 
1. Halting in the preparatory position. 
2. Reconnoitring by the Commander. 
3. Marking the position of the batteries and even of the guns by 
their layers. 
4. Pointing out the target. 
5. Taking the range. 
I consider the training we have received in the last few years, with 
reference to 1, 2, 3 and 4, has been invaluable, that the time has come 
when such operations should disappear as a drill, as they are now un¬ 
necessary, with the exception of what one might call the preparatory 
halt for the purpose of loading. It will be well if arrangements can 
be made to carry two fuzed shrapnel on the gun carriage. 
As regards reconnoitring, whatever is necessary must be done when 
the batteries are on the move. 
The marking the windward flanks of the batteries by Battery Com¬ 
manders, the calling forward of Section Officers and gun-layers, and 
the exact placing of the latter, as recommended by Captain White in 
the “ Silver Medal Prize Essay,” under the heading “ Pointing out 
