551 
MOUNTAIN ARTILLERY PROGRESS. 
BY 
MAJOR H. C. C. D. SIMPSON, R.A. 
The last five years have seen great advances made in the organisation 
and equipment of Mountain Artilleries of Continental nations. 
Indeed, for mountain warfare generally, Austria, France, and Italy 
have specially constituted tactical units, such as Mountain Divisions, 
Brigades, or Groups. In the Mountain Divisions, in addition to the 
Mountain Batteries, two or three Horse or Field Batteries are 
attached as a reserve. 
The Mountain Brigade usually consists of two or three regiments 
of infantry, some technical troops, and a half troop of cavalry. The 
Group has less infantry and no cavalry. In European mountain war¬ 
fare these two smaller units really play an analagous role to the 
Cavalry Brigade of ordinary warfare. They reconnoitre all the moun¬ 
tain paths, ascertaining the movements and lines of advance of the 
enemy’s troops, whilst concealing the operations of their own main 
body in rear. 
France, which had, up to the commencement of the period we have 
stated above, no permanently organised Mountain Batteries on her 
home establishments, has now 13 batteries of six guns on a peace 
footing, in addition to the eight batteries she maintains in Algeria. 
The minor Balkan States have all formed a Mountain Artillery. 
Austria has recently re-organised her Mountain Artillery, and Italy 
increased hers by two batteries of natives, both for service in Africa. 
Russia has the largest Mountain Artillery numerically—25 batteries—■ 
but has by no means the most efficient. 
The following table shows the number of mouutain guns belonging 
to European nations early in 1892 :— 
Number of Mountain Guns or 
Europe, 1892. 
France (including Algeria) 
• • • 
... 126 
Russia ... 
... 120 
Turkey ... 
96 
Spain ... 
• . » 
... 72 
Austria ... 
• • • 
60 
England (including 8 batteries British in 
Indies) 
60 
Italy 
• ♦ • 
... 54 
Greece ... 
• • » 
... 54 
Portugal 
16 
Roumania 
16 
Switzerland 
12 
Norway and Sweden ... 
... 
12 
Total ... 
... 
... 698 
11 , VOL. XIX. 
