487 
FIRE DISCIPLINE; ITS NECESSITY IN A BATTERY OF 
HORSE OR FIELD ARTILLERY, AND THE BEST MEANS OF 
SECURING IT. 
^ -u $ 5 ^ 
MAJOR A. M. MURRAY, R. A. 
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“ s’aeu^iter c’est DE retrogRader.”, „ . 
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DUNCAN GOLD MEDAL PRIZE ESSAY, 1892 
PART I. 
Introductory. 
“ C'est ainsi Q-eneral quo Von perd les batailles. II nous faut absolument un bon feu de 
canon.” 1 — Napoleon. 
The first part of the title of this Essay would seem to be the state- Th ®^ ect 
ment of a fact rather than a subject admitting of discussion. This discussion, 
fact, it is true, was brought home to Continental armies some years 
before it was accepted in England, but at home no less than abroad 
the necessity for Fire Discipline is now felt to be an imperative condition 
of success in future artillery fighting. No battery is allowed to go to 
the practice ground till the Lieut.-Colonel commanding its Brigade- 
Division is satisfied that it has been sufficiently trained in the principles 
and practice of Fire Discipline. 1 2 In the annual competition between 
batteries a considerable proportion of marks are given for Fire Dis¬ 
cipline alone irrespective of the actual results of the shooting. 
Batteries are now judged by this more than by other tests of efficiency 
which, however necessary as a means to an end, are admittedly less so 
than a high standard of Fire Discipline. 
Although it is unnecessary to press this point further it seems desir- itsWstoricai 
able to open this Essay with a brief historical retrospect if for no c °ation! r " 
other purpose than to show how the necessity for Fire Discipline has 
progressively increased with the gradually increasing destructive power 
of modern arms. Such a retrospect will serve to fix attention on the 
salient features of the matter before us, and will clear the ground for 
the consideration of the proposals which will be subsequently sub- 
1 NapoJeon to Dessaix at Marengo.—Mem. du Due de Ragusa, p. 132. 
2 Para. 9, Section LIX., “ Standing Orders of the Royal Artillery, 1889,” and para. 16,“ Instruc¬ 
tions for Practice, 1892.” 
10. VOL. XIX. 65 
