OKEHAMPTON EXPERIENCES, 1894. 17 
when called by the Adjutant and gallops along the rear of the line to whatever 
battery the order is for. 
Cotonet G. H. MarsHatt—Did you not always have one orderly from each 
battery, so that each one knew where to go to ? 
CotoneL H, A. OLLIVANT—Yes, the ‘orderly always went to his own battery, 
unless it so happened that I wanted to send two messengers too quickly, one after 
the other. 
Masor E. O. Hay—Gveat efforts have been made during the last year or two 
to train signallers, and I wanted to ask some one from Okehampton, perhaps the 
lecturer will tell us, what use was made of battery signallers, and with what result. 
Masor W. N. LLoyp—We should be glad to have Colonel Marshall’s opinion 
on the ‘‘ deliberate” method. I feel that it is treason to say anything against it, 
especially as it commends itself to us in peace manceuvres, by reducing the con- 
fusion of a battery coming into action toa minimum. But as a method to be 
practised on active service it is not sound, and does not commend itself to me. 
Let us for a moment soar above the usual three batteries which we are accustomed 
to play with; let us imagine we have twenty batteries on active service about to 
come into position by the “deliberate” method. What happens? First of all 
we have a staff of officers reconnoitring the ground, followed by twenty Majors 
and range-takers, then come 60 Lieutenants with 120 layers, making in allan army 
of over 300 men. 
In the jirst battle of a campaign, the enemy might possibly permit this 
manceuvre to go unmolested, but having taken in the meaning of it, all subsequent 
attempts at the “ deliberate’? method would meet with a warm reception. Again, 
we cannot always expect to find a position ‘sufficiently clear to enable us to lay 
out our layers deliberately for this method, troops will surely be moving into 
battle, or to take up their positions which would cause confusion. I wish to draw 
your attention to the fact that it is not a method in my opinion which would be 
employed once in fifty times on actual war service, and that we make an error in 
employing it so frequently in peace time. 
We want rapidity of movement in coming into position 49 times out of 50. 
We want to seize quickly opportunities which may offer themselves from time to 
time; and I feel convinced that too much use of the “ deliberate? method is not 
a step in the right direction. 
CotoneL G, H. Marsyatt—I do not know why Major LLoyd should father 
the “deliberate” method upon me, because it existed long before the present 
drill-book was introduced. As a matter of fact I rather agree with Major LLoyd. 
The conditions under which the “deliberate ’’ method should be used are very 
fully laid down in the drill-book. I cannot exactly remember them word for 
word, but I think the following condition must exist : There must be a preparatory 
position close to the firing position ; there must be cover, surprise to the enemy 
must be possible, and the range must be long. If you take the drill-book con- 
ditions you will find that the occasions for the employment of the “deliberate” 
method are rare, and there is no doubt that in many cases officers do not quite 
appreciate this. At Okehampton they very often used the “deliberate” method 
when surprise was not possible, owing generally to the nature of the ground. I 
certainly do not approve of the use of the “ deliberate” method, unless the con- 
ditions as laid down in the drill-book can be obtained. 
Masor E. 8. May—I am afraid I may be opening up rather a difficult subject, 
but in using the direct method, would you usually take guns slightly down the 
slope, or would you strive to keep them on the reverse side of the hill or crest ? 
I ask the question because I have heard gunners often unfavourably criticised at 
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