10 OKEHAMPTON EXPERIENCES, 1894, 
only shewn by the results being greater than the average results at 
single targets. The other series shewed them better, for the bat- 
tery only fired at the front line. The target consisted of three lines, 
first, 90 kneeling dummies; second, 70 standing dummies; third, 24 
Hessians. The distance between the first and second was 200, and be- 
between the second and third nearly 300 yards. The time taken was 
nine minutes 40 seconds, during which 56 rounds were fired. 
The effects, first line, 827 on 84; second line, 82 on 44; 38rd line, 
22 on 13, were good, and the results on the second and third lines are 
all fairly due to the depth of the shrapnel and not to exceptional 
rounds, because in the whole series no time shell and only two percus- 
sion burst beyond the front line. 
CoMPETITIVE. 
The change from the column to a 4-gun battery for the first series 
seemed popular. From the results it appears as though four marks 
per dummy was hardly sufficient to put the series as regards marks on 
an equality with the second and third. Taking Okehampton, Glen- 
beigh and Shoebury (87 batteries), the average marks obtained were 
in the first series 38°6 ; in the second, 63:1; and in the third, 60; from 
which it seems as though six for each dummy disabled in the first series 
would be a better proportion. 
Only 12 batteries out of 45 fired the whole of the rounds, so that the 
time seems about correct. Perhaps a better distribution would be to 
give eight minutes for the first, seven for the second, and six for the 
third, so as to lay more stress on accuracy at the long range, and ra- 
pidity at the short. Almost everyone was unanimous in wanting the 
fire discipline marks kept up. If anyone still had any doubt on this 
point, the result of dropping them in India should convince him. 
For instance, Colonel Ward in his report states that he found batteries 
“ holding up the trails and lowering them together ;” similarly, Colonel 
Tyler after giving examples, states: “No check is placed on plans 
and devices which may be introduced at the will of the Commander. 
Opinions were much more divided as to the necessity of keeping up 
the qualifymg marks for firing, and it certainly seems hard that 
batteries at Okehampton and Lydd should have to obtain the same 
number as those at Glenbeigh, Shoebury and Morecambe, which are 
admittedly easier ranges for effect. It appears as though each station 
should have its qualifying minimum, or else it might be done away 
with and batteries take places 1, 2, 3, &c., at each camp. 
There seemed also a desire to have the Competitive extend over the 
whole Service practice. It would of course tend to eliminate the luck, 
still I think one would have too much Competitive. Perhaps the most 
feasible suggestion in this direction was, to have the Competitive, much 
as it is at present, and to add the effects only, of one or two days’ 
Service practice, settled on by each Camp Commandant. Its chief 
objection is that, when there is only a time limit and no fire discipline 
murks as a check, hurried fire and great waste of ammunition often 
spring up, the fire being conducted on the principle that if you only get 
off enough something must hit. 
