137. 
A PLEA FOR INDIRECT FIRE. 
BY 
MEA SLOFR Jp. lies KenL Re RA 
CotoneL Hinpyarp’s very valuable and interesting contribution to the 
journal of the “R.U.S. Magazine,” in the shape of a compilation of 
“Von Lébell’s annual report on the changes and progress in military von xéber's 
matters during 1894,” appears in its December number. Under the "> 
heading ‘ Field Artillery Tactics’ the leading artillery controversies of 
the day receive impartial treatment, and one is placed in possession of 
the most powerful arguments, which have been brought to bear from 
both sides, in the course of the investigation. Prominent among the 
above appears the question, whether the best advantage is to be 
derived from direct or indirect fire, which is summed up as follows :-— 
“When the conditions do not necessitate the employment of indirect summary ot 
. : views with 
fire, preference should be given unreservedly to direct fire. But as airemend fo 
circumstances may, against our will, force us to use indirect fire, we Aireetiire. 
must make ourselves thoroughly familiar with it and practice it in 
peace time.” 
* * * * * * 
From the above it is evident what great stress is laid on this nature 
of fire on the continent, and it is now proposed to array its merits and 
defects, and to urge that the altered circumstances of modern civilized 
fighting seem to demand a more careful study of its employment. 
In our artillery, a commander, about to occupy a position, has 38 
courses open to him. He may (I) advance boldly and attack his 
enemy in the open, face to face; (2) halt behind the brow of a hill and, 
after having completed his preparations for the attack, attack him from Onx different 
his own side; (3) remain concealed behind the hill and attack him ~ atiack. 
from under cover. | 
The general accessories, with which he provides himself for these Advaniases. 
different methods, are (1) the tangent sight; (2) the Scott’s sight ; ni t°sng 
made a more 
(3) the clinometer. “operation. 
With the first two of these methods, it is not proposed to deal ; 
but the third, and its accessory, will, for the moment, occupy our 
attention. 
The following advantages are claimed for indirect laying by means 
of a clinometer :— 
(1). Assuming the instrument to be correctly set, all personal error 
of elevation is eliminated ; and, once the range and fuze have been 
found, the fire should be more rapid and more effective than when a 
gunner has to lay each round. With regard to this it is also urged, 
4, VOL. XXIII. 1 
