THE AMMUNITION SERVICE OF A FORT. 519 
the smaller batch. The distribution was simplified subsequently by 
the provision of a third D.R.F. for C, whose store then received all 
the small groups. 
The small indivisible groups were a difficulty, and the regulation re- 
quiring the groupsin each store to be numbered according to the date 
of receipt prevented simplicity in the orders for the ammunition officer. 
Thus in A store a small group of 5 came after group I.; therefore group 
III.in A store was identical with group II. in B store, and it was im- 
possible to make the numbering in C'store identical with that in any other 
except in the case of group I. which was the same as group I. in A and 
B stores. 
1The numbering of groups according to dates of receipt or age 
is not really necessary, nor would any harm or confusion result if the 
numbering in a store did not begin with I. The largest group is the 
one first in action and it should have the lowest number. The number 
is really only a name and my second proposition is that 7t should be 
treated as such and no restrictions placed on the naming of any particular 
cartridge growp. With this latitude in the example just given, sup- 
posing there were five cartridge groups divided between A, B, and C 
stores, the largest would have been I., and the largest in D store VI. 
The small group of five cartridges in A store would have been numbered 
after those in D store. Then the orders for the ammunition officer 
would have been :—“ Issue to all guns from lowest numbered group in 
each store taking care when C works with D it has identical cartridges 
as shown by the group numbers or names. If a group becomes ex- 
hausted in any store pass to the next, making the change in the other 
stores at the same time, and inform the Battery Commander as to the 
difference between the groups.” 
One more example may be of use. Ina fort (Plate I.) gun groups 
D one gun, H two guns, and #' two guns, all of one calibre were 
served from cartridge stores Nos. V. and VI. Groups D and H were 
worked by one range instrument, group #’ by another. Cartridge 
store No. V. held 400, No. VI. 100 cylinders. No. VI. was assigned to 
2; Fl drawing from No. V. This arrangement prevented uniformit 
of charge in F’ group, and there was no advantage in having Fl gun 
uniformly loaded with the other groups. I therefore made No. VI. ex- 
pense store for # group, the ammunition officer being directed to fill 
up from No. V. store as required. Here, however, the regulation 
numbering of groups again interfered, for there were several groups 
in No. V. store, and the oldest were not the largest. The ammunition 
officer will have to be told to use, say, groups V., VIII., 1V., VI. for D 
and # groups, and to fill up No. VI. store with groups VII., 1X., X. It 
is extremely difficult to arrange the stacking in such cases, as the 
! The numbering of the groups according to dates of receipt or age, is intended to serve a double 
purpose : 
(a) To ensure a reasonable amount of uniformity in shooting in each series. 
(b) To ensure the regular turnover of the ammunition, 
The xevised edition of Equipment Regulations which will probably be issued this year, contains 
the following instructions at Section XII. of Part II., paragraph 186: 
“ For all practice the ammunition of oldest manufacture and that contained in packages 
which have been opened for inspection, will always first be expended, and will be replaced 
by the next supply from store.’ --Communicated by D.A,4.G., R.A, 
