532 
SILVER MEDAL PRIZE ESSAY, 1892 . 
In the days of smooth-bore ordnance a system of “ Fire Discipline,” 
as we now understand the term, did not exist, indeed, there was no 
necessity for it. The short ranges at which guns were fought, the 
ease with which the effect of fire could be observed by the gun-layers 
themselves, the simplicity of the ammunition and the fact that much 
more of the fighting was done with grape and canister than is nowa¬ 
days done by case, all pointed to and sustained the gun as the fighting 
unit. The Battery Commander troubled himself but little with the 
technical administration of the fire, reserving his attention for tactical 
considerations; the battery being, at that time, looked upon as the 
tactical unit. 
But these same short ranges brought into great prominence a quality 
for which our British gunners have long been eminent, even among 
the stolid races of the north, and that is “ Discipline under Fire,” or 
the unflinching and almost mechanical performance of their duties 
under the excitement of an engagement, even at case ranges. This, 
we hope, they retain unto the present day, but, referring to Lippman/s 
definition, it will be seen that something more than “ Discipline under 
Fire ” is required to constitute “ Fire Discipline,” namely, ability on 
the part of the Battery Commander to administer the fire of the 
battery as a whole, instead of the tactical application of the fire of 
an agglomeration of six semi-independent pieces. 
This great revolution in practical gunnery was brought about by the 
introduction of rifled guns. At the ranges at which actions now 
commence it is no longer possible for the gun-layers to observe the 
effect of fire, from which to correct the elevation of their guns; the 
extensive front, also, of a modern army in battle array presents a very 
varied choice of target and demands the careful indication of the 
portion of it to be laid on, in order that the fire of the battery may 
not be frittered away. These duties of indication, of observation, and 
of adjustment of elevation have been placed upon the Battery Com¬ 
mander, his six guns being gathered to him as the modern fighting 
unit, and, the onerous nature of this charge making it all-absorbing, 
he has been relieved from those tactical considerations which were, 
heretofore, his principal care. These tactical duties are now assumed, 
by the higher commanders and the Officers Commanding Brigade 
Divisions, which have now become the tactical units. 
With the above in view, we may formulate the following defini¬ 
tion :— 
“ Fire Discipline is the combination of those qualities within a battery 
which enables its commander , in the shortest possible time , to turn fire of any 
desired nature and rate upon any portion of the field at will” 
We thus accept the Continental definition, that “Fire Discipline” 
is confined entirely to the technical administration of the fire of the 
battery, and it has to do with :— 
(i a .) The pointing out of the objective. 
(b.) The opening of fire. 
(<?.) Banging. 
(d.) The continuation of fire. 
(e.) The supply and replenishment of ammunition. 
