538 
SILVER MEDAL PRTZE ESSAY, 1892 . 
1. To point out the objective to Battery Commanders and appor¬ 
tion it among them, telling off, if need be, certain batteries to range 
and others to join in the fire after the ranging is completed ; this to 
ensure that no confusion in observation may arise during ranging, 
owing to a large number of projectiles falling about the same place at 
the same time. In dividing the target among his batteries he will be 
influenced by considerations of Fire Tactics, with respect to the kind 
of distribution of fire that will best effect the end he has in view. 
The above is the connecting link between “ Fire Tactics ” and “ Fire 
Discipline.” 
2. So to place his batteries on the chosen position and, if neces¬ 
sary, to give such initial orders for the succession of fire, that the 
smallest possible amount of inconvenience may be caused to batteries 
by their own smoke and that of other batteries. This is to facilitate 
Fire Discipline by giving’ it free scope s 
3. To determine generally the rate of fire, with a view to economy 
of ammunition. This will, as a rule, depend upon tactical considera¬ 
tions ; if a delaying or tentative action is being fought then, most 
probably, he will order “ Slow ” fire, whereas, if it is desired to force 
a solution quickly, he will order that the general rate of fire be 
“ Ordinary ” or even “ Rapid.” This is rate of fire looked at from a 
fire-tactics point of view. 
4. He will cause himself to be kept informed of the amount of 
ammunition available and of the positions of the second lines and 
reserves. 
5. The choice of projectile is generally left to Battery Commanders, 
the most noticeable exception being that the Commander of a Brigade 
Division, or larger force, sometimes desires to keep the battery on an 
outer flank firing common shell, or, at all events, percussion projectiles, 
so that he may be able to order the fire of this battery to be turned 
rapidly on to any new objective for ranging* purposes. 
6. When the ranging of the batteries is completed, and the various 
elevations and lengths of fuze have been communicated to him, he will 
compare these with one another, keeping in view the relative positions 
of the different portions of his line and those of the enemy. He will* 
if necessary, order any battery to re-verify its elevation or length of 
fuze, if he considers that an error has been made in the first instance. 
He will communicate such information as may be necessary to the 
different batteries, with a view to a possible concentration of fire. 
7. He will keep a general control of the fire and observe its general 
effect, this, from his semi-independent position, he should be well able 
to do, and, at times, he may be kept informed of this general effect by 
a flank observing party. 
8. He will NOT interfere in the interior working of batteries, 
unless he sees that the Battery Commander is unequal to the task 
before him. If he does so interfere it is at the imminent risk of losing 
sight of those tactical considerations which are his peculiar province. 
9. He will remain, as much as possible, in the same place, so as to 
be leadily accessible. 
It is obvious that no Commander of a Brigade Division can apply 
