Training. 
General 
Training. 
844: SILVER MEDAL PRIZE ESSAY, 1895. 
principles that underly the successful fighting of all guns. 
(2.) A special training, in the particular application of these prin- 
ciples to the fighting of those guns, to which each company is for the 
time being allotted. 
Before going further it will pethaps be of advantage to explain what 
is meant by the term “‘T'raining,”’ which must not “ys confused with 
the word instruction. Thus, training is the term applied to that special 
form of instruction, which is employed to fit a soldier for the specific 
duties he will be called upon to perform in time of war; while instruc- 
tion denotes the imparting to him of knowledge that may often be of 
great service to him, but is not absolutely necessary to the performance 
of his specific duties. An Infantry soldier is trained to use his rifle, 
but he may be instructed alsoin gundrill. Training therefore includes 
instruction of a definite description, while instruction does not neces- 
sarily mean training. 
The principles which underly the successful fighting of all guns in- 
clude, and may be divided into :— 
(1.) The correct service of the individual gun. 
(2.) The method of laying. 
(3.) The service of the combined pieces, t.e. the fire discipline of 
the battery. 
(4.) The method of ranging, which includes observation of fire. 
(5.) The chain of command, and means of communicating orders 
from the commanding officer to his subordinates. 
The simplest and most general application of these principles is :— 
(1.) Service of the piece. To be simple this must be as uniform as 
possible for all types of guns B.L. or M.L. An endeavour has been 
made of late years to obtain this, by keeping as far as possible the same 
numbers to the same duties with all guns. Nomenclature should also 
be uniform, and either the term “ Gun Captain” or the term “ No. 1” 
universally adopted, and not as at present, the N.C.O. in charge of a 
detachment called a Gun Captain when in charge of a 9-in. R.M.L. gun 
anda No. 1 when working an 8in. Howitzer. ‘These little differences 
tend to confusion, and tothe idea that the drill of different guns must 
necessarily be wholly different. 
(2.) Laying. ‘The most universally useful method of laying is over 
the sights by aligning them on the target. Great importance has 
rightly been attached to this method, as itis the foundation of all laying, 
and every encouragement has been given to men to make themselves 
good layers. 
(3.) Fire Discipline. This must be of the most simple, and general 
description; the groups should consist of two guns each, the working 
of them should be carried out quietly, and rapidly, orders should be by 
word of command or signal, and the rates, and orders of fire should be 
as simple as possible. Here again uniformity in nomenclature would 
tend to simplicity, and either the term Group Commander or Group 
