BATTERY TACTICS.
=190.= _General instructions._
1. The battery is the fire unit, except in heavy artillery, in which,
each section being self-contained, the battery or the section is the
fire unit according to circumstances. To enable effective fire to be
brought to bear in the shortest possible time on such objectives as
the tactical situation may require, correct observation and promptness
of decision on the part of the battery commander are as essential as a
high standard of fire discipline throughout the battery.
2. By fire discipline is meant not only careful attention to all the
details of drill when in action, but also ready response to the signals
and orders of all superiors. It demands, in addition, endurance of the
enemy’s fire, even when no reply is possible.
3. The battery commander should be allowed latitude as regards the
choice of objectives within the task allotted to him, which may be wide
or circumscribed. (_See_ Sec. =184= (2).) If the battery commander
assumes the responsibility of departing from his allotted task he must
be prepared to justify his action, which should be reported at once to
the brigade commander.
4. The principles which guide a commander in applying the fire of his
battery in different circumstances should be known to all officers and
non-commissioned officers.
5. When a battery is acting independently, its commander is responsible
not only for its fire action, but for those other duties which are
described under the head of brigade tactics, In this case it may be
desirable for the commander to devote his whole attention to watching
the tactical situation, and to leave the conduct or fire to the next
senior officer; this may sometimes be advisable even when the battery
is in brigade,
6. For manœuvre the battery is divided into:--
The firing battery.
The first line wagons.
The “_firing battery_” consists of 6 guns and 6 ammunition wagons,
except in the case of 4-gun batteries, when it consists of 4 guns and 4
wagons. The wagon of the firing battery always accompanies its gun.
The “_first line wagons_” consist of the remainder of the ammunition
wagons authorized to accompany a battery. In Q.F. batteries these are 6
in number.
The 1st line mules of a mountain battery correspond to the 1st line
wagons of a field battery for the purpose of manœuvre. References to
the procedure of the 1st line wagons in the succeeding paragraphs apply
therefore to the 1st line mules of mountain batteries. (_See also_ Sec.
=125= (8).)
=191.= _Preparation for action._
1. The object of preparation for action is to minimise as far as
possible the pause between coming into action and opening fire. The
exact time and place for this cannot be laid down. If the enemy is
likely to be met it is advisable to prepare for action before the march
commences; if this has not been done a short halt will be necessary for
the purpose.
2. When preparing for action the firing battery will be separated from
the first line wagons which will be formed up by the captain as may be
most convenient. If preparation for action takes place while in column
of route on a road, the 1st line wagons will follow in rear of the
battery when it moves oil, but if the road is narrow it may be better
to delay the separation of the firing battery from the 1st line wagons,
in order to avoid blocking the road.
=192.= _Reconnaissance of a position._
1. The battery commander, as soon as he receives his orders, rides
forward to the brigade commander accompanied by not more than two
of his headquarters. The latter should remain under cover while the
battery commander is receiving his instructions, when they proceed with
him to reconnoitre the position for the battery.
It may also be advisable for the battery commander to take a section
commander with him. This officer should be accompanied by a signaller
and horseholder with director, and he can then be utilized to select
the actual position for the guns, to convey any information required to
the battery leader, and to mark the line of fire, should the battery
commander remain at his observing station.
2. The remainder of the battery headquarters, including the observation
wagon will follow at the head of the battery until they are required
by the battery commander, who will then send for such portions of the
headquarters as he requires before the arrival of the battery. They
should then be brought up under suitable command, care being taken to
make use of any available cover, so as not to attract the attention
of the enemy. For the same reason they should not follow the battery
commander on to the actual position, nor should ranges be taken from it.
3. The first object of this reconnaissance, if a position under cover
is to be occupied, should be the selection and occupation of the
observing station (_see_ Sec. =199=), the concealment of which from the
enemy is of great importance. The battery commander must then decide on
the approximate position for the guns, ascertain that the trajectory
will clear the crest, settle how the position is to be occupied and
mark the line of fire, unless he delegates this duty to the section
commander, who may have accompanied him. He must also decide whether
he will use his observation wagon or not, and must give orders as to
the placing of the wagon, with a view to its concealment, as far as
possible, from all portions of the enemy’s position.
4. In estimating the amount of cover that will be necessary, regard
must be paid to the general tactical situation. Defilade from the
immediate objective is not sufficient. All ground in occupation of the
enemy from which fire may be observed and controlled should receive
consideration.
5. The orders issued to the battery commander will, as a rule, include
instructions as to the position to be occupied.
A battery position may be either an “_open position_,” a “_semi-covered
position_” or a “_covered position_.”
6. An “_open position_” is one in which the objective can be seen over
the sights and in which direct laying is possible. In such positions
the guns may or may not be exposed to the enemy’s view before fire is
opened. If they can be concealed up to the moment of opening fire the
value of surprise effect may be gained coupled with good facilities for
control of fire, for distribution, and for dealing with movement. When
once located accurately by the enemy the guns are fully exposed to the
effects of hostile fire, and in conditions favourable to the enemy are
liable to destruction by direct hits and by oblique fire.
7. A “_semi-covered position_” is one in which it is necessary to
employ indirect laying but in which the degree of cover obtained is
insufficient to conceal the flashes of the guns or the dust raised by
them after fire has been opened. Such positions, as a rule, enable
direct control by voice to be used. As compared with covered positions
they facilitate the engaging of fresh objectives, and if required the
guns can be run up to the crest. Heavy manual labour is sometimes
necessitated in their occupation. Searching fire may be effective
against such positions.
8. A “_covered position_”[15] is one in which the guns and their
flashes are completely concealed from the enemy and in which it is
necessary to use indirect laying. Such positions confer immunity
from fire, but they increase the difficulty of control, frequently
necessitating artificial means of communication such as telephones,
signalling and the use of plotters. For this reason they increase the
difficulties of engaging fresh objectives and of dealing with movement.
[15] NOTE.--In normal circumstances the amount of cover necessary to
hide the flashes is about 13 feet for field guns, and 20 feet for
howitzers and heavy guns.
=193.= _Methods of occupying a position._
1. There are two methods of occupying a position:--
i. The ordinary.
ii. The special.
=The words ordinary and special apply to the method by which the
battery is brought to the firing position and have no reference to
cover, concealment, or the method of fire.=
_The ordinary method._
2. The battery commander having completed his reconnaissance and
selected the exact position for the battery, places himself where its
centre will halt for action, the battery serjeant-major marking the
prolongation of the line of fire at least 50 yards in his rear. The
battery commander will use his discretion as to whether he and his
serjeant-major, or he alone, should dismount while marking the line
of fire, but he must ensure that they are both visible to the officer
leading the battery.
3. This will be the procedure in an open position when the battery
commander intends to command from the centre of the battery, but if
he decides to command from a flank the line of fire may be marked by
the battery serjeant-major and another man, or by any other means so
long as the battery leader understands them. In many cases instead of
marking the line of fire it may be preferable to mark where the flanks
of the battery will rest.
The battery is then led up, halted and brought into action by the
battery leader.
4. When the battery commander is at an observing station some distance
from the battery the exact position for the guns may be chosen by
the battery leader, or by the section commander, who accompanies the
battery commander in his reconnaissance, see Sec. =192= (1). The
battery leader or the section commander with the battery commander
assisted by a signaller marks the line of fire for the battery, or the
position where its flanks will rest. The battery leader brings the
battery into action. The officer who chooses the position for the guns
is responsible that the battery commander’s observation station shall
not be within the danger angle of the guns when in action. To ensure
that the observing station shall not be within the danger angle (Sec.
=197= (3)) the battery commander should after laying his director on
the target or on the centre of the zone allotted to him, swing it round
through an angle of 120° towards the position for the battery. The
battery must not be behind this line, which allows for a subsequent
switch of about 15°.
5. _On rough ground_ the Nos. 1 should be sufficiently ahead to enable
them to select the best platforms for their guns. They must be careful
to halt their guns on the selected spots, for which purpose it may be
advisable for them to dismount. They should not, however, be so far
ahead that they prematurely disclose the position.
6. A covered position should be occupied by the ordinary method if the
cover is sufficient to completely conceal the guns and teams while
coming into action.
If the nature of the ground compels the battery to adopt a column
formation till the position itself is nearly reached, and it is
important to open fire without delay, guns may be brought into action
by sections, or even singly.
_The special method._
7. This method should only be employed when it is impracticable to
occupy the position by the ordinary method.
The battery commander, having chosen his position of observation,
selects or indicates a position for the battery in action and a
preliminary position under cover and close in rear, and sends his
serjeant-major, or section commander if he has one with him, to guide
the battery to it.
8. The battery commander then gives the order “SECTION COMMANDERS
(mounted or dismounted, as the case may be), ONE AIMING POST.” The
section commanders, with an aiming post for each of their guns, fall
out to the battery commander, who points out to them the target,
general alignment of the battery and position of one gun. They then
mark with an aiming post the exact spot for each of their guns
according to the accidents of the ground, care being taken to avoid
danger angles. (_See_ Sec. =197= (3).)
If the soil renders the planting of aiming posts difficult, the layers
may be fallen out to mark the positions the guns will occupy.
As soon as these arrangements are completed each section commander
brings his section into action by the simplest method.
9. When using the special method in a semi-covered position, in order
to avoid exposing the battery, the guns and wagons should be driven as
near the position as possible, and run up the remainder of the distance
by hand. It may sometimes be advisable to bring up the carriages with
wheel horses only, leaving all other horses under cover.
10. In the case of guns not fitted with the No. 7 dial sight care must
be taken when occupying a semi-covered position to select an aiming
point which can be laid on from round to round, as the planting of
aiming posts might disclose the position to the enemy. If it is found
necessary to plant aiming posts, care should be taken that the men
planting them are not exposed.
11. When using the special method in a covered position it should
be possible to drive the guns to the position they will occupy by
following the line formed by the aiming posts, and coming into action
right or left. After the guns are in position, the wagons should be
driven as near as possible to the position they ought to occupy.
Drivers should not be dismounted to lead their horses if there is any
danger of coming under fire.
12. This method has many advantages for heavy artillery, where
platforms are all important, and the guns difficult to man handle.
=194.= _Orders._
1. The battery commander should give section commanders as much
information as possible before bringing the guns into action, in order
to eliminate as far as possible the pause that takes place after the
guns are unlimbered and before fire is opened.
2. He must clearly point out or indicate the target and extent to be
engaged by each section when visible, and the aiming point or reference
point (if one is used).
His orders must also include:--
The angle of sight, or the sight to be used.
The method of ranging.
The nature of projectile, if necessary.
The corrector settings, if necessary.
The first elevation or elevations.
The interval, if required.
If under cover, the order to fire.
These orders should always be given out in the above sequence.
3. The following abbreviated words of command will be used:--
Collective for Collective ranging.
Right ranging ” Right section ranging.
No. 1 ranging ” No. 1 gun ranging.
Fire ” Commence firing.
Stop ” Stop firing.
Corrector ” Time shrapnel corrector.
Échelon ” Échelon corrector.
4. To avoid mistakes and for the sake of uniformity the elevation will
be ordered as shown in the following examples:--
1,000 yards “One thousand.”
1,800 ” “Eighteen hundred.”
1,950 ” “Nineteen fifty.”
2,000 ” “Two thousand.”
2,100 ” “Two one hundred.”
2,350 ” “Two three fifty.”
If two ranges are ordered at the same time the order would be as
follows:--
1,800-1,500 yards “Eighteen hundred, fifteen hundred.”
2,400-2,100 ” “Two four, two one,”
5,000-4,700 ” “Five thousand, four seven.”
5. Corrector settings will be ordered as shown in the following
examples:--
136 “One three six.”
150 “One five o.”
6. Angles from an aiming point will be ordered as shown in the
following examples:--
80 degrees “Eight o degrees.”
58 ” “Five eight degrees.”
=195.= _Advance for action._
1. The senior section commander with the battery leads it, and the
captain directs the movements of the first line wagons, which will
be led by a non-commissioned officer detailed by him, communication
between the two being kept up by means of the mounted non-commissioned
officers of the wagon line.
2. The directions for the maintenance of communication between the
brigade commander and his brigade, for the leading of a brigade and for
the employment of ground scouts (_see_ Secs. =181=, =182= and =183=)
are applicable to a battery acting by itself. The officer leading
the battery must avoid pressing on the battery commander during his
reconnaissance, and should not lead the battery on to the position
until he sees that the line of fire has been marked, if it is to come
into action by the ordinary method. If the special method is to be
employed he will receive instructions as to the preliminary position to
be occupied. (_See_ Sec. =193= (7).)
3. Section commanders and Nos. 1 when advancing in line will ride
ahead of their guns to select the best ground and to give warning of
obstacles.
It is the duty of section commanders to dismount their detachments if
necessary.
4. The first line wagons conform to the movements of the firing
battery. The distance to be maintained between the firing battery and
the first line wagons cannot be laid down, but should not, as a rule,
exceed half a mile. The captain must go forward and obtain information,
as soon as possible, as to the intended position of the battery, in
order to select a position for the wagon line, which offers facilities
for the supply of ammunition, and where the men and horses will be
under cover.
To avoid searching fire directed at the firing battery, the position of
the wagon line should be to a flank, or if directly in rear of the guns
not less than 400 yards distant.
If it is impossible to obtain cover for the whole wagon line in one
place, the captain must use his discretion as to how best he can
sub-divide it.
In selecting the position for the wagon line the captain must be
careful not to block lateral communication, or the lines of advance of
troops in rear, nor must he endeavour to forestall another battery in a
position which more naturally belongs to the latter. Easy access to his
own battery is essential.
5. As soon as the battery is in action he will select alternative
positions of assembly for possible use when changing position (_See_
Sec. =228= (1) iii and Sec. =229= (1) ii).
=196.= _To come into action._
(_See also_ Secs. =65=, =66=, and =233=.)
1. _Horse artillery._--On approaching the position the wagons do
not drop back unless ordered to do so, but on the command “ACTION
FRONT” are at once driven up alongside their guns, halting with their
axletrees one yard in rear of the axletrees of the gun and 6 inches to
a flank. They are then unlimbered (unless otherwise ordered) by No.
6, who lowers the perch to the ground at the same time giving “LIMBER
DRIVE ON.” The limbers reverse to their left and go to the place
selected for the 1st line wagons, forming up in front of their own gun
limbers.
2. One of the wagon limbers of the firing battery may be utilized to
give protection to the battery headquarters and will be placed where
ordered by the battery commander. Instructions to this effect must be
sent to the battery before it arrives on the position.
As soon as the limbers and teams are clear, they will proceed to the
wagon line under the direction of the captain, who, however, will not
wait to collect them, but will indicate the direction they should take
and allow all horses to get clear as soon as possible.
3. All led horses except those accompanying the teams go at once to the
wagon line independently.
4. Detachments should remain as far as possible under cover of the
shields and unnecessary movement in the battery must be avoided, as
such movement may enable the enemy to locate the position of the guns.
If, however, the guns are in action on a forward slope it will usually
be necessary to dig in the trails.
5. _Field artillery._--On approaching the position the wagons will drop
back about 10 yards in rear of the guns. As soon as the trail of each
gun is on the ground, its wagon will drive up on its left and halt with
the axletree of the wagon body one yard in rear of the axletree of the
gun and not more than 6 inches to a flank, in order to obtain the full
benefit of the shields. Wagons may, however, be placed on the right of
guns by order of the section commander, when he considers it advisable.
In either case the wagon teams will be immediately unhooked.
When the battery is coming into action under cover and the line of fire
has to be obtained, the wagons should not drive up to their guns until
the latter are in the correct line.
The procedure of the wagon limber for the protection of the battery
commander, and of teams, led horses and detachments will be similar to
that laid down above for horse artillery.
In special cases, the wagons of the firing battery may be unlimbered.
The approximate positions[16] of individuals and led horses not
mentioned in the handbook of the gun are as shown in Fig. 29.
The position of the wagon line in the figure has no reference to the
position of the battery.
The 2nd trumpeter, farrier, and shoeing-smith will be used as desirable
to maintain communication between the firing battery and 1st line
wagons.
6. _Howitzer and heavy batteries._--The procedure is as described above
for field gun batteries, except that 2 yards must be left between guns
and wagons in the case of 5“ B.L. howitzers and 1 yard in the case of
heavy batteries, for the free working of the guns in action, and in
howitzer and heavy batteries the centre of the perch should be in line
with the gun axletree.[17]
7. _Mountain batteries._--On the command “ACTION FRONT,” the guns
are unlimbered and brought into action just in front of the wheel
and axle[18] mule of each subsection. The mules move off to the rear
independently as each is unloaded, and proceed to join the 1st line
mules under the direction of the captain. The ammunition boxes of the
firing battery are placed on the ground immediately to the left of the
gun, unless cover is available close by.
[16] Ground scouts’ horses will also be with the wagon line.
[17] In batteries armed with 4·7-inch Q.F. guns the wagons will be
placed 2 yards to the left flank and 10 yards in rear of the trail eye,
poles to the rear.
[18] Axle mule in the case of the 10-pr. B.L. gun.
Sometimes a suitable position for the firing battery mules can be
obtained under cover in close proximity to the battery, where it is
inconvenient to bring, or there is not sufficient space to accommodate,
all the 1st line mules as well. In such cases the captain will select
another position for the 1st line mules further to the rear, and only
order up such extra ammunition mules to join the firing battery mules
as are necessary to ensure facility of ammunition supply.
[Illustration: _Field battery in action._
FIG. 29.
Look-out men and signallers posted as convenient.
Range-takers under cover if not employed.]
[Illustration: _Explanation of the symbols used in FIG. 29._]
=197.= _Duties of officers, &c., in action._
1. _Battery commander._--The battery commander controls and directs the
fire of the battery.
2. _Captain._--The captain commands the 1st line wagons and in
action controls the vehicles and horses of the firing battery. He is
responsible for the supply of ammunition to the firing battery and for
seeing that the wagon line is kept filled with ammunition. It is his
duty to arrange for the replacement of casualties in men, horses, and
_matériel_ (_see_ Sec. =230= _et seq._), and to select positions of
assembly (_see_ Sec. =195= (5)). To carry out these duties in action
the captain must be as much as possible in personal communication
with the firing battery; when he is not with the line of guns he will
leave one of his assistants with the firing battery to carry orders
to him. The commander of a wagon line situated on an exposed flank is
responsible for taking measures for protecting the wagon line (_see_
Sec. =148= (5)).
3. _Section commanders._--Section commanders will place themselves
where they can best see and hear the battery commander and will only
move about their sections when necessary for the supervision of their
command. In ordinary circumstances each should be in rear of the wagon
of his section which is the nearer to the battery commander.
They will acknowledge the battery commander’s orders by saluting. When
the orders cannot be heard throughout the battery they are to be passed
from one section commander to the next, not repeated simultaneously.
Each section commander is responsible that the next section commander
receives the order. If in giving an order the battery commander makes
an obvious verbal slip, it is the duty of the section commander nearest
to him to draw his attention to it.
They are responsible that their guns are laid in the direction
ordered. When the target is visible from the battery, they will give
alterations in deflection to their guns when ordered to do so by the
battery commander.
They are responsible that their guns are not fired when within the
danger angle, _i.e._, the line of fire of any gun must not make a less
angle than 45 degrees with a line joining its muzzle and the muzzle of
any other gun.
In firing from behind cover they must ascertain that the trajectory
will clear the crest (_see_ Sec. =121=), running their guns up or back
as necessary without waiting for orders if slight alterations only are
required, but informing the battery commander if a considerable change
of position is necessary.
Before reporting a gun out of action or a casualty to any part of the
equipment of their section, section commanders must first ascertain
personally whether it is possible to repair the damage with the means
at their immediate disposal in the firing line; if not, application
should be made to the captain. No casualty should be reported to the
battery commander during ranging, unless it is of a permanent nature or
likely to interfere with the process of ranging.
4. _Observing officer, heavy artillery._--He is responsible for the
efficiency of the observing parties in all respects.
5. _Battery serjeant-major._--The battery serjeant-major supervises the
placing of the battery commander’s limber or observation wagon, and the
work of the battery headquarters.
During ranging he reports the number of each gun as it is fired, if the
battery commander wishes him to do so; reports prematures, and calls
the attention of the battery commander to verbal slips or omissions.
(_See_ =210= (3).)
He will be frequently used to pass the battery commander’s orders, but
if desired some other man from the battery headquarters may be employed
for this purpose instead of him. The megaphone should be used when
necessary.
If the battery commander becomes a casualty the battery serjeant-major
must be in a position to give all information as to the situation,
target, and point on which lines of fire were laid out, &c., to the new
battery commander, and to carry on until he arrives.
6. _Nos. 1._--Nos. 1 are responsible for the correct service of their
guns. They will see that the correct angle of sight has been put on,
and will order the necessary allowance in deflection for difference in
level of wheels. They will acknowledge all orders relating to their
guns by saluting, and when difficulty is experienced in passing orders
they should assist.
If a section commander is temporarily absent from his section or
occupied with damaged equipment, the senior No. 1 not engaged with him
must act for him.
=198.= _Laying out the line of fire._
(a) _In a covered position._
1. If the target can be seen from the vicinity of the position selected
for the battery to come into action, or its direction obtained from
the flashes of the enemy’s guns, from a map, or from patrols, &c., the
battery commander, or the section commander who has accompanied him in
his reconnaissance, marks the line by planting two aiming posts.
2. The battery having been brought into action on the selected
position, lines of fire in the direction of the target can be obtained
by one of the following methods:--
i. The battery leader, or section commander who accompanied the battery
commander in his reconnaissance, sets up his director in line with the
two aiming posts and as close to the battery or its intended position
as possible, and selects an aiming point. He then measures the angle
between the direction of the target and the line from the director to
the aiming point and gives it out as an order to the battery. (_See_
Sec. =123= (3).) He will leave the director laid and clamped on the
aiming point for the information of the battery. The dial sight of
each gun is set at the angle ordered and laid on the aiming point.
ii. The director is clamped at zero and laid in the line of the aiming
posts with the foresight towards the target. The battery commander or
battery leader then faces the battery and laying back over the director
(namely, foresight--backsight) aligns it on the dial sight of each gun
in turn. The angles are noted down and communicated to the battery, or
by word of mouth to each individual gun. Thus:--
(Director (Director in front
behind battery.) of battery.)
“LINES OF FIRE”
“No. 1 152 Right” } { 28 Right
“No. 2 164 Right” } { 16 ”
“No. 3 176 Right” } or { 4 ”
“No. 4 172 Left” } { 8 Left
“No. 5 160 Left” } { 20 ”
“No. 6 148 Left” } { 32 ”
The dial sight of each gun is set at the angle ordered, and laid on the
director.
When using this method the director must be at least 80 yards in front
or rear of the line of guns.
iii. If the line of fire cannot be marked by planting two aiming posts
(_See_ para. 1) the procedure will be as follows, or as in method
iv. below. From his observing station the battery commander, using
his director as in ii., sends down the angle to one gun or to the
battery director. In the latter case the battery leader or officer
who is working the director obtains the line of fire by setting it to
the angle ordered. He then measures the angle to an aiming point as
described in i. and gives it out to the battery. When the angle is sent
to one gun the section commander to whom the gun belongs directs his
gun on to the line of fire and the subsequent procedure is as in para.
4 below. In both cases the battery commander will make the necessary
correction for displacement before sending down the angle. (_See_ Sec.
=123= (3).)
iv. From his observing station the battery commander, having fixed the
compass on the No. 3 director, measures the angle which the direction
of the target makes with magnetic North, and after making the necessary
correction for displacement sends this angle down to the battery as ...
degrees Right or Left of magnetic North.
The officer working the battery director, having fixed his compass to
the director, sets the director at the angle ordered with reference to
magnetic North and the subsequent procedure is as in i or ii.[19]
[19] At present this procedure is only possible with batteries provided
with two No. 3 directors.
3. In each method the aiming point is laid on, either through the No.
7 dial sight or over the No. 1 dial sight, or else auxiliary aiming
points are picked up and laid on, from round to round. Should aiming
posts be used, they are planted in line with the No. 7 dial sight, or
the rocking bar, or gun sights set at zero.
4. To obtain parallel lines of fire to that of a gun whose line is
correct, the battery commander gives the order “PARALLEL LINES TO NO
________” The dial sight of the named gun is used as a director, and
lines obtained as in method i.
5. In the case of guns which are not provided with dial or panoramic
sights, but with gun arcs, or the shields graduated as gun arcs, slight
modifications of the three methods mentioned above are necessary.
i. The best aiming points will be such as are within the capacity of
the arc, right or left of the line of fire, either to the front or to
the rear. Any angle can, however, be employed either by repeating the
process of switching, or by using the whole extent of the gun arc, or
by using the prolongation of the gun arc in order to obtain an angle
of 90°,
ii. When the director is behind the battery the gun layer must lay back
on the director. As the large angles cannot be read on the gun arc the
officer laying out the lines of fire will, after clamping the director
at zero on the target, align it backsight--foresight on the centre of
each breech and give out the angles.
6. If the direction of the target cannot be obtained from a position
near that selected for the battery and the distance of the observing
station is too great to render any of the above methods available, the
battery commander as soon as he has completed his reconnaissance and
pointed out the approximate position of the battery to the battery
leader, returns to his observing station; where he has previously
left his range-takers, signallers, and such other portions of his
headquarters as he requires.
Communication is at once opened up, the signallers taking care to keep
under cover. The telephone if available is laid between the battery and
the observing station. The range-takers take the range to the target,
and to the battery (if the “sub-base,” para. 7, is not used), and
afterwards to other objects in the field of fire.
The battery commander sets up his director under cover and measures the
angle between the battery and the target.
When necessary, a flag is placed on the battery director, but the
observing station director should be rendered conspicuous in some other
manner.
He then works out by means of the plotter the battery angle (T B O in
Fig. 30) and the range from the battery to the target, and communicates
them to the battery leader, =taking care that the battery angle is sent
down right or left according as the target is right or left of the line
joining the battery and the observing station= (B O in Fig. 30). He
then calculates the angle of sight and communicates it to the battery
leader.
If the dial sight is used, it is set at the battery angle, and when
laid on the observing station director the gun is in the line of fire.
If the director is used, it is set at the battery angle and laid on the
observing station director; the direction of the target is shown, when
the arrow head is brought to zero.
[Illustration: Fig. 30.
_T = Target._
_B = Battery._
_O = Observing Sta._
_F = Flag._
]
The direction of the target having been obtained at the battery, lines
of fire for the guns can be given by one of the methods described above.
7. The distance from the observing station to the battery can be
rapidly measured by the use of a sub-base at the battery. An aiming
post or signalling flag, F (_see_ Fig. 30) having been placed at a
convenient distance, 20 to 50 yards, from the battery director and at
right angles to the line B O, the angle that this base subtends at O
is measured with the director and the range deduced from the formula:--
6 Sub-base in yards
---- × --------------------- = Base in hundreds of yards.
10 Apex angle in degrees
8. Should preparations for opening fire be required and no target be
visible, a suitable reference point in the enemy’s position is selected
and lines of fire laid out to this point.
The switch angles, ranges, and angles of sight to all points on which
fire may have to be directed are then ascertained, and all other
preparations made which will conduce to fire being opened as quickly as
possible when required.
The fire is controlled and the ranging carried out in the ordinary
manner by the battery commander.
If the observing station is so far from the battery or the intervening
ground so broken that in case of emergency it would be difficult for
the commander of the battery to reach the guns in time, it may be
necessary for him to remain with the guns and to detail another officer
to control the fire. (_See_ Sec. =199=(2).)
(b) _In an open or a semi-covered position._
9. In an open or semi-covered position where the target can be seen by
the section commanders standing up, the target and its extent may be
indicated:--
i. By the director placed in the centre of where the battery will be
when in action, pointing on the centre of the target or zone, with a
N.C.O. in charge to inform the section commanders on their arrival as
to its direction and extent, or--
ii. By the director placed as before, but pointing on the reference
point, the target and its extent with reference thereto being described
to the section commanders by the N.C.O. left in charge.
In both i. and ii. the section commanders will throw their guns on to
the line themselves but the battery commander will frequently put the
first gun on to the line himself.
When indirect laying is used in such a position, the layer, after his
gun has been thrown on to the line by the section commander, will
immediately pick up an auxiliary aiming point to lay on from round to
round. With guns not provided with No. 7 dial sights, an auxiliary
aiming point must be picked up which is in the field of the rocking bar
sight or which can be laid on over the dial sight.
In a semi-covered position when the section commander cannot see the
target, the procedure will be as in a covered position.
10. Guns not provided with No. 7 dial sights will be laid if possible
on auxiliary aiming points; otherwise they will be laid from round to
round over the No. 1 dial sight on the original aiming point. Aiming
posts should seldom be necessary.
=199.= _Observation of fire._
1. To derive full benefit from the accuracy and rapid fire of modern
equipment and to ensure effective support to the other arms, correct
observation with reference to the objective is most important.
2. To enable a battery to engage an objective, a position must be
selected from which to observe and control the fire of the battery.
This is called the “_observing station_.”
The position of this station should be as close to the battery as
possible, provided a good view of the field of fire is obtainable.
With this object use should be made of any means such as a tree,
house, haystack, limber, ladder, &c. When the observing station is
near the battery it should, if possible, be behind the line of section
commanders to facilitate the passage of orders, due regard being paid
to the direction of the wind.
The officer who observes and controls the fire from the observing
station is the battery commander for the time being. Any other officer
sent out to assist in the observation of fire is called an “_observing
officer_.”
Observation should be made with glasses having as large a field of
view as is compatible with good power of magnification, and graticules
will be found of the greatest assistance. The telescope, on account of
the smallness of its field, is unsuited for the observation of fire
when ranging, but is very useful for watching the effect of fire when
ranging has been completed.
3. _Combined observation._--In the case of targets which are distant,
very difficult, or behind an intervening crest, and in night firing,
the battery commander will generally find it useful to combine his own
observations with those of a flank or advanced observing party. In the
case of a flank party the method of its employment is illustrated in
the figure which follows:--
[Illustration: Fig. 31.
T. is the target.
B. C. is the battery commander.
O. P. is the observing party.
B.C.’s O.P.’s B.C.’s
Observations. Observations. Deductions.
1. Right Left -
2. Left Right +
3. Left Line +
4. Line Line T
5. Left Left Left, give right deflection.
]
This method is also applicable when the battery commander, being unable
to observe himself and great accuracy being required, decides to make
use of two observing parties.
When this system is employed each observing party will only send in
results of its observations as right or left of the line from it to
the target. The amount right or left should be measured in degrees and
minutes.
_Heavy batteries._
4. In a heavy battery there are two observing parties, one to each
section. When the battery is intact both parties are under the
direct command of the “_observing officer_.” When a section acts
independently, its own observing party accompanies it.
When the battery commander goes forward to reconnoitre he will be
accompanied by the observing officer, in addition to the section
commander mentioned in Sec =192= (1).
The observing officer will take charge of the observing party when one
is employed. If two observing parties are employed he will superintend
the work of both as far as possible. When the battery commander
observes for himself, the observing officer will assist as may be
required.
=200.= _Look-out men._
1. As the attention of battery commanders is so much taken up by the
observation and control of the fire of their batteries, men, termed
“_look-out men_” are to be trained in every battery, whose duty it is
to assist the commander in watching areas of ground and the movements
of hostile and friendly troops.
2. Look-out men should be selected for their intelligence and good
sight, and should be adepts in the use of the telescope. There should
usually be two in each battery (not the range-takers or signallers).
One of these men may be employed, if desired, by the battery commander
to assist him in taking angles of sight, &c.
In action they should take up a position as near the battery observing
station as is compatible with the instructions they have been given.
They should be trained to co-operate with the range-takers so that the
latter may receive early information as to possible objectives.
=It is not their business to observe the fall of the shell, nor should
they be used as patrols.=
=201.= _Control of fire._
1. The fire of a battery is controlled by means of the voice or through
the medium of the telephone, signalling, orderlies, or whistle.
2. _Voice._--If the observing station is near the battery, the battery
commander gives his orders direct to the battery, or he may employ a
selected man to call them out.
If the observing station is at a distance the battery leader repeats
the orders of the battery commander. Whilst performing this duty he
will cease for the time to act as section commander, and will supervise
the means of communication at the battery. In this case a position
in rear of the line of section commanders, with due regard to the
direction of the wind, is generally best.
3. _Telephone._--When the telephone is the means of communication,
signalling communication should also be established. (_See_ “Training
Manual--Signalling.”)
4. _Signalling._--The semaphore code will be used.
Semaphore signalling with small flags can be read in a clear atmosphere
without glasses up to 1,200 yards, and with the telescope up to
2,000 yards; signalling with the arms can be read up to 600 yards in
favourable conditions.
A quick method of utilizing semaphore signalling is to employ two sets
of signallers, each pair having different coloured flags. Those with
the same coloured flags should communicate with each other only.
The procedure for “attracting attention,” “moving of signallers,” and
“erasing of signals,” will be as ordinarily employed in signalling.
Special attention should be paid to light, background, &c.
5. In sending orders or the result of observations by signal, the
following abbreviations will be used:--
Aiming point AP Fuze FZ
Air AR Go on GO
Air high AR Graze GZH
All guns AL Gun fire GFL
Angle AN Left LG
Angle of sight AS Left-half battery LH
Battery fire BY Line LIF
Both guns BO Line of fire LOTH
Centre C Lyddite LY
Collective ranging CO Minutes MIL
Commence firing FI More left MLRE
Common shell CS More right MR
Concentrate CO One round ORN
Core only or first CO Over or increase PLRE
Core and one ring CO Parallel PAOR
Core and two rings CO Percussion shrapnel PSTR
Corrector CO Probably PBR
Deflection DF Put flag on director PFN
Degrees DE Range RGG
Depression DE Ranging RGP
Distribute DI Repeat RES
Doubtful QY Right RT
Échelon EC Right-half battery RHH
Effective fire EF Round RD
Elevation EL Seconds SE
Far F Second charge SC
Fourth charge FO Section XC
Full charge or fifth FC Section fire XF
Short or drop MN (minus) Third charge TC
Stop firing STOP Time shrapnel TS
Target TG Unload or empty guns MT
Take flag off director TFD Unobserved UN
6. For communicating by signal with the wagon line the following
abbreviations may be used:--
“Send up wagons to replenish ammunition”--W N.
“Send up gun limbers”--G L.
“Send up wagon limbers”--W L.
“Send up wagon teams”--W T.
Any of these signals may also be used in combination with one another,
thus:--
“Send up gun limbers and wagon teams”--G L W T.
_Mountain artillery._--“Send up one ammunition mule per
subsection”--Both arms above the head.
“Send up firing battery mules to limber up”--Both arms extended
horizontally.
7. _Orderlies._--A long chain of orderlies is an unsatisfactory means
of communication which multiplies opportunities for error and is not
well suited to service conditions, but a chain of not more than two
specially trained men may be very useful when flag signalling would
disclose the position.
8. _Whistle._--A long drawn out blast denotes “_Stop Firing_,” only to
be used when rendered necessary by the fact that a word of command is
likely to be either unheard, or to take a long time getting through the
battery. On hearing the whistle, section commanders will order “STOP
FIRING.” Firing will be resumed on the command “GO ON.”
Batteries in brigade, or in action close to other batteries, must avoid
using the whistle unless it is an absolute necessity.
_Section control._
9. Should the battery commander consider it advisable at any time to
place the control of fire in the hands of the section commanders he
will order “SECTION CONTROL.” On this order section commanders will
direct the fire of their sections, making any alteration in elevation,
line, or corrector setting that may be necessary, or range their
sections independently as may be required. The senior No. 1 may perform
the duties of section commander.
The battery commander will watch the tactical situation and control the
expenditure of ammunition. When he desires to resume control he will
give the order “BATTERY CONTROL.”
=202.= _Methods of fire._
1. There are three methods of fire:--
Battery fire.
Section fire.
Gun fire.
2. In all methods of fire, guns are loaded and fired by order of Nos. 1.
3. _Battery fire._--In battery fire the guns are fired in succession
throughout the battery commencing from the right at an interval of 5
seconds, unless another interval is ordered.
4. _Section fire._--In section fire the guns of each section are fired
at the interval ordered by the battery commander, without reference to
other sections.
5. _Gun fire._--In gun fire the battery commander orders the number of
rounds to be fired, with or without an interval. The specified number
of rounds is then fired at the interval ordered; if no interval is
ordered, each gun is fired when reported “_ready_” and “_set_.”
In the case of an attack at close ranges, the number of rounds to be
fired is not ordered, but fire is continued until an order to stop
firing is given.
=203.= _Location of targets from aircraft._
1. The general method of procedure is as follows:--The pilot, or
observer, or both, remain close to the artillery commander. When the
latter wishes to use an aeroplane to locate a target he explains
what he requires, and if possible the nature of the target and its
general direction. The aeroplane then rises to the necessary height
behind the battery in order to run less danger of injury by hostile
fire. Meanwhile, two strips of white cloth are laid out on the ground
near the battery so as to give the supposed direction of the target.
The aeroplane, having got to the required height, flies out over the
battery to find the exact position of the target.
2. Three different methods may be adopted to convey this information:--
i. A white Very’s light may be fired from the aeroplane when
it is vertically over the target. At the battery end one
observer follows the machine with a director and another
takes the range with a one-man range-finder. The director
is clamped and the range read as soon as the shot is fired.
Provided the aeroplane is flying at a pre-arranged height
the direction and range of the target can then be found.
ii. The aeroplane returns along the line target-battery, and
continues its flight over and past the battery in the same
straight line. No light need be fired in this system but
the range of course cannot be communicated.
iii. An enlargement of the map or in certain cases a written
message may be dropped from the aeroplane giving the exact
position of the target.
A combination of any two or of all these methods may be used.
=204.= _Observation of fire from aircraft._
1. For observation of fire from aeroplanes a different system to that
ordinarily employed for ranging must be adopted. It is generally
necessary to correct for line, range and fuze in succession, and not
simultaneously.
As a rule single rounds are sufficient for observation, but it may
sometimes be necessary in the case of Q.F. batteries to fire salvoes of
two or more guns.
Salvoes may also be used when it is desired to carry out the
observation of fire of one particular battery by aeroplane, and it is
necessary to distinguish its fire from that of several others firing at
the same target.
2. Shrapnel bursting in the air can be easily seen, but it is difficult
to determine the height of burst, and consequently the position
relative to the target. Bursts on graze are generally visible. In the
case of 18-pr. guns, it is usually impossible to observe the strike of
the bullets on the ground. The burst of lyddite shell from howitzers
can be seen easily.
3. Very’s lights form the best means of signalling from the aeroplane
to the ground, and white strips of cloth, 6 ft. by 1 ft., for
communication from the ground to the aeroplane. If available a Klaxon
horn in the aeroplane is also useful. For code of signals, _see_ Sec.
=205=.
When possible, the observing aircraft should remain close to their
own guns at the best height for observation, in order to facilitate
communication. In some cases, however, it may be necessary to fly out
further towards, or even over, the target in order to ensure accurate
observation. In such cases much delay will ensue if the aeroplane has
to come back over its own guns to signal the results; on the other
hand, if it remains out in front the signals may not be seen.
4. The observer, having located the position of the target and conveyed
the information to the artillery commander (_See_ Sec. =203=) receives
from him the signal “Observe for line” (_See_ Sec. =205=).
[Illustration: FIG. 32.]
The aeroplane now moves as in Fig. 32, keeping on that side of the
battery furthest from the sun, so that the signals can be easily seen.
Shots can only be seen with ease when the aeroplane is moving out
towards the target. If the distance A to B is about 1 mile, two
rounds can be observed during each outward flight. As soon as line is
obtained the signal “Observe for range” (_See_ Sec. =205=) is sent; the
aeroplane now moves in an elongated figure of eight, as in Fig. 33,
always turning towards the target. It will keep behind or in front of
the battery according to the position of the sun. Shots can be seen at
any time.
[Illustration: FIG. 33.]
Range having been obtained the signal “Observe for fuze” (_See_ Sec.
=205=) is sent, the aeroplane still moving as in Fig. 33.
Subsequent observation as to the general effect of the fire can best be
made from over the target, the results being written out in a message
and dropped at the battery.
When the signal “Land” is sent the aeroplane comes down at a place
previously selected and not necessarily at the spot whence the signals
are sent.
Two men should be detailed from the battery to watch the observing
aeroplane, one with field glasses looking for the signals, the other
with his naked eye keeping a continuous watch on it so as to make
certain that no mistake is made as to the actual machine, since, when
there are several aircraft out in observation, confusion between them
is very likely to arise.
=205.= _Signals from and to aeroplanes._
1. With Very’s lights the following code of signals will be used for
communication from the aeroplane to the ground:--
(_a_) Before fire is commenced--
One white light I am over the target.
One green ” I am ready to observe fire.
(_b_) While ranging--
--------------------+-------------+-------------+--------------
Light used. | For Line. | For Range. | For Fuze.
--------------------+-------------+-------------+--------------
One red. | Right. | Over. | Air.
Two reds. | Far right. | Far over. | --
One green. | Left. | Short. | Graze.
Two greens. | Far left. | Far short. | --
One red, one green. | Line. | Range. | Fuze correct.
One green, one red. | Unobserved. | Unobserved. | Unobserved.
--------------------+-------------+-------------+--------------
Succession of blasts on
Klaxon horn Am about to fire two signals.
The signal “Far right” or “Far left” should be made when the shell
bursts 8 degrees or more from the target. Any shell bursting 500 yards
or more short of or beyond the target should be signalled as “Far
short” or “Far over.” “Fuze correct” will be signalled when some of the
shells burst on graze and others in air.
(_c_) After fire for effect has commenced--
Red, green Fire effective.
A white light fired at any time after fire has commenced means “Stop,
am about to drop a message.”
2. Strips of white cloth 6 feet by 1 foot, placed on the ground, can be
used for signalling from the ground to aeroplanes. The following code
of letters formed from the white strips placed on the ground will be
employed.
3. I } Direction of target.
I }
L Observe for line.
X Observe for range.
Z Observe for fuze.
V Observe for general effect of fire.
N Repeat last signal.
T Land.
F/ Fresh target on right.
The letters I, K or A may be placed immediately after
the F to indicate to the aeroplane observer the nature
of the target, viz., I for infantry, K for cavalry,
and A for artillery.
All letters should be placed on the ground so that the top of the
letter is towards the target.
=206.= _Observation of fire from kites._
1. When kites are available the results of the observation can be
telephoned down to the guns and there is no waste of time, but they can
only operate in a wind (_See_ Sec. =150=), and their range of vision
and power to see behind cover is limited.
Kites require special consideration and the exact place from which
they should be flown should be chosen by a kiting officer. Some of the
requirements are:--
i. Concealment from the enemy of the winch and carrier kite
when on the ground.
ii. Ground not obstructed by obstacles.
iii. Sufficient room in a straight line to haul down 600
or 1,000 yards. This should be measured out down wind
and must be free from obstructions. It is possible to
haul down in a smaller space, but this involves much
preparation and a number of holdfasts are necessary.
RANGING.
=207.= _General instructions._
1. Ranging is the process of finding the elevation, fuze and line.
2. When the battery commander has given an order to load with any
nature of projectile, that loading will be continued until an order to
change is given.
3. With fixed ammunition, if a change of elevation or corrector be
ordered when time shrapnel is being fired, Nos. 1 order “UNLOAD,” and
guns are reloaded for the new elevation or corrector. A similar order
should be given when for any other reason it is desired to empty guns
already loaded, as, for instance, when ceasing fire.
If fixed ammunition is not used, and a change of elevation is ordered,
guns loaded with the fuze for the old elevation will be fired at the
new elevation. If for any reason it is required to empty guns already
loaded, the order is “EMPTY GUNS,” and the guns are fired at once
without any fixed interval.
4. As soon as ranging is completed the battery commander will send the
angle of sight, elevation, corrector or fuze to the brigade commander,
and in the case of howitzers the charge also.
=208.= _To find the elevation._
1. Under service conditions it is seldom possible to estimate with
accuracy the distance the burst of a shell is short or over with regard
to the target. The principle of ranging for elevation is, therefore, to
find two elevations, the longer of which will throw the shell beyond
and the other short of the target, thereby enclosing it in what is
called a “_bracket_.”
This bracket is large at first, usually 300 yards.[20] If a smaller
bracket is required one or more rounds, according to the nature of
the ranging employed, are fired at the intermediate hundreds. This
gives the 100 yard bracket, which in ordinary circumstances is the one
required. The elevation is then verified by repeating the two ends of
the bracket. =The important point is to make certain of this bracket.=
2. Ranging is either “_Collective_,” “_Single Gun_,” “_Section_,” or
“_All Guns_.”
The method adopted should be that best calculated to obtain effective
fire with the least delay, and with this end in view a combination of
the different methods may sometimes be used. An example of combined
“section” and “collective” ranging is given in Sec. =227=.
By “_Collective Ranging_”[21] is meant more than 2 guns fired in quick
succession at the same elevation and fuze. The form that collective
ranging should take in a 6-gun unit is the fire of half batteries
alternately; in a 4-gun unit the fire of the three right guns.
[20] Or multiple of 300.
[21] Collective ranging does not apply to howitzers and heavy guns.
By “_Single Gun Ranging_,” “_Section Ranging_” and “_All Guns Ranging_”
is meant ranging with one, two, or all guns fired singly.
In “_All Guns Ranging_” a single initial elevation is ordered,
subsequent elevations being given out singly on the observation of the
previous round.
In “_Section Ranging_” two elevations are ordered with or without an
interval.
In “_Single Gun Ranging_” either of the above two methods may be
followed, but only one gun is used.
3. The fall of the rounds is judged from the smoke of the burst of the
shell or splash of the bullets, which should be clearly observed as
short of or beyond the target.
4. In order to obtain good results when ranging with time shrapnel a
length of corrector or fuze should be employed, which will give bursts
on or just below the line of sight. When indirect laying is employed
it may occasionally be advisable to commence with a corrector or fuze
échelon series, in order to select a suitable length. (_See_ Sec. =209=
(2).)
5. Elevation should always be given at first in round numbers,
beginning, in the case of yards, at the nearest 100, or in degrees, at
the nearest degree or half degree. It is seldom worth while to make a
smaller change of elevation than 25 yards, or its equivalent.
When the whole series depends on the correct observation of a single
round, that round should be repeated and another fired with 100 yards
more (or less) elevation.
Further alterations in the elevation from the observation of the splash
of the bullets and fall of the case of the shell, when visible, are
made as required. This will often be necessary for individual guns.
If a shell is observed to strike the target, a verifying series of one
or two rounds should be fired.
6. The battery commander details the method of ranging and the nature
of the projectile thus:--
“COLLECTIVE” } { “CORRECTOR”
or } {
“RIGHT (CENTRE or } { or
LEFT) RANGING” } ... { “PERCUSSION”
or } {
“NO. ... RANGING” } { or
or } {
“ALL GUNS RANGING” } { “LYDDITE.”
“_Collective Ranging._”
7. When collective ranging is employed the battery commander gives out
one elevation and corrector for example:--
“Collective--Corrector 156--4600.”
This elevation is fired by the right half battery,[22] commencing from
the right at battery fire 3 seconds unless otherwise ordered. The
battery commander from the result of these rounds alters the corrector
if necessary, and orders a fresh elevation to the left half battery to
obtain his 300 yard or other bracket. He then sends down corrections
for line for the right half battery unless one correction to the whole
battery is advisable, in which case he will send it down before the
new corrector and range. This process is continued until the size of
the bracket is, if possible, reduced to 100 yards. (_See_ Sec. =227=,
Example 1.)
[22] In a 4-gun battery by the three right guns.
“_Section Ranging._”
8. When a section is being used for ranging the battery commander gives
out two elevations differing by 300 yards or multiple of 300 (the
longer elevation first). The elevation which is given out first is
fired by the right gun, the second by the left gun of the section, at
an interval of 5 seconds, unless another interval is ordered. If the
target is not bracketed two fresh elevations are ordered.
Should a gun of the ranging section become temporarily or permanently
disabled, the section commander continues with the other gun of the
section, or informs the section commander next him, who will place the
nearest gun temporarily under his command.
“_Single gun Ranging._”
9. If one gun is used for ranging, elevations will be given out singly
or in pairs, the general procedure for bracketing the target being
similar to the above.
“_All guns Ranging._”
10. Ranging with all guns is in certain circumstances admissible,
particularly when high explosive shell are alone to be used. Elevations
will be given out singly. In the case of field guns this method would
only be an advantage in very exceptional cases. It presupposes that the
range from each gun is identical and that observation is easy.
=209.= _To find the fuze._
1. =As a rule no special ranging for fuze should be necessary.= The
battery commander before or after ranging for elevation will select
what he considers to be a suitable length of corrector and modify it
later according to circumstances.
2. When fighting in a hilly country or when from any cause no
reasonable estimate of the corrector can be formed it may prove
economical in ammunition to fire an échelon before proceeding to fire
with time shrapnel. (_See also_ Sec. =208= (=4=).) When an échelon is
considered necessary it will, except in the case of howitzers and heavy
guns, be fired before ranging for elevation commences. The échelon is
fired by the three right guns from right to left at 5 seconds interval
unless another interval is ordered. The fuze indicators, or fuze
setters, are set at lengths increasing by 10, the order being “ÉCHELON]
... RANGE....” In ordering the initial corrector settings, the battery
commander should endeavour to select an échelon which will give bursts
in the air and on graze.
On this order the No. 1 of No. 1 gun orders his corrector to be set
at the graduation ordered. The Nos. 1 of the other guns order their
correctors to be set at a successive increase of 10. It may in very
exceptional circumstances be necessary to fire a second échelon. The
above procedure is then repeated.
3. If a gun misses its turn during the échelon the fact will be
reported to the battery commander, and the gun will be fired when ready
unless otherwise ordered. The section commander will, however, be
careful that the gun is not fired during the échelon.
4. When fire is being corrected by observation from a distant observing
station and the battery angle proves to be correct, any considerable
discrepancy between the gun range and the plotter range will be due to
a miscalculation of the angle of sight. The correct fuze will then be
that for the plotter range.
=210.= _To find the line._
1. Except in the case of fleeting opportunities, battery fire will be
continued till the battery commander is satisfied that the correct line
of fire for each gun has been obtained. Even in the case of fleeting
opportunities it will sometimes be advisable to fire a round of battery
fire at small intervals to check the lines.
To avoid waste of ammunition, especially in the case of guns which
cannot be unloaded, it may be advisable to increase the normal interval
between the rounds of an échelon or at battery fire. Line corrections
are preferably made on the fall of each round, but _see_ Sec. =208= (7).
2. The battery commander will correct the deflection for each gun
unless he has delegated this duty to the section commanders. (_See_
Sec. =197= (3).) Should he consider from the first ranging rounds that
his lines are not correct he should order an initial correction for the
remaining guns.
3. To assist the battery commander in correcting for line when the
observing station is not close to the battery, the number of each gun
as it fires, also all prematures, should be reported by signalling or
telephone. (_See also_ Sec. =197= (5).)
RANGING FOR HOWITZERS AND HEAVY GUNS.
=211.= _General instructions._
1. The general principles of ranging are the same as for field guns,
but certain differences exist owing to the equipment, weight of shell,
etc.
2. As a general rule, a steep angle of descent is a paramount condition
for effective howitzer fire. When firing lyddite, an angle of descent
of at least 20° is desirable.
3. Against troops in the open, the full charge should be employed in
order to obtain the forward effect of a comparatively flat trajectory.
When engaging objectives such as a wall, or buildings, which present a
high vertical target, the full charge should also be used.
Redoubts or overhead cover on the contrary require a steep angle of
descent; the same applies to trenches and shielded guns.
4. Howitzers frequently require individual corrections due to
variations in the muzzle velocities of the guns, but such corrections
should only be made on the observation of groups of rounds. The
smallest correction which it is worth making is one equivalent to 25
yards.
5. When a change from lyddite to time shrapnel is made and it is known
that lyddite shell range differently to the shrapnel a few rounds of
time or percussion shrapnel should be fired to verify the elevation.
Owing to the steep angle of descent it is often easier to observe the
splash of the bullets of time shrapnel than the burst of percussion
shrapnel.
=212.= _Howitzers._
1. Ranging can be carried out with lyddite, percussion or time shrapnel.
The ranging is carried out with one section or one gun of the
battery, but all guns may be used for ranging if lyddite is to be
used subsequently, and the target is of narrow front, or presents no
obliquity to the battery.
2. When a section is employed for ranging, a bracket to approximate
as nearly as possible to 300 yards, or multiple of 300 yards, should
be ordered, but round numbers should usually be adhered to, such as
28°-25°, not 28°20´-25°20´.
This bracket is further reduced to one corresponding to about 100
yards, or 1-3rd of the original bracket. The elevation is then verified
by repeating the two ends of this bracket.
When lyddite only is to be used, the bracket will be further reduced to
50 yards, and the two ends of the bracket repeated.
For howitzers fitted with the range drums graduated in yards for the
fourth charge, the B.C. will range in yards as with other field guns,
and will select the approximate ranges to start with, in accordance
with the charge to be used, by means of the ranging rule provided.
If the range rule is not available, the following calculation will give
the approximate range for different charges:--
When using full charge subtract ¼ from the _real_ range.
” fourth charge give the _real_ range.
” third charge add ⅓ to the _real_ range.
” second charge add ⅔ to the _real_ range.
” first charge double the _real_ range.
3. When ranging with one gun, or with all guns, only one elevation will
be ordered at a time, the principles of bracketting as laid down above
being adhered to.
4. _To find the fuze._--The battery commander, after ranging for
elevation, may find it necessary to order an échelon (this will nearly
always be necessary for batteries not provided with fuze indicators).
The échelon is fired from right to left by the three right guns at 5
seconds interval, unless another interval is ordered, as in field gun
batteries.
5. In the case of batteries not provided with fuze indicators, a fuze
and an increment will be ordered, such increment to be a division or
half division according to which most nearly corresponds with 100 yards.
If the battery commander begins ranging with time shrapnel the
procedure will be the same as for other field guns except that
collective ranging will not be used. (_See_ Sec. =208= (4)).
=213.= _Heavy batteries._
1. The procedure of these guns is identical with that of field
howitzers, except that ranging will not be carried out with time
shrapnel. At long ranges it is advisable to order one elevation at a
time.
2. When firing with lyddite, as with howitzers, the 50 yard bracket
should be verified. At distant ranges, however, the bracket should not
be less than twice the 50 per cent. zone.
When time shrapnel is to be used the 300 yard bracket may be found with
lyddite or percussion shrapnel.
3. The procedure in ranging for fuze is that of firing an échelon as
laid down for howitzers.
DISTRIBUTION OF FIRE.
=214.= _General principles._
1. =Distribution of fire over the target allotted to the battery
should, whenever possible, commence from the first round.=
This should not prevent a battery commander in the case of an
indistinct target from ranging on the most conspicuous portion, and
distributing his fire subsequently.
2. Assuming 50 yards to be the average distance required to burst a
shell short of the target, and that the lateral space covered by the
cone of dispersion of a shell is about 35 per cent. of the distance
burst short, it will be seen that the width a battery at normal
intervals can effectively cover when the lines of fire of its guns
are parallel is approximately equal to its own front. By “_sweeping_”
(_see_ Sec. =216=) it can cover a width of 3 times its own front.
3. When section commanders are ordered to correct for line (_See_ Sec.
=197= (3)), each of them should be made responsible for a definite
portion of the target. The extreme edge of a target should not be laid
on, as a small error might cause the shell to be wasted.
4. If it is required to concentrate or distribute the fire of a battery
over a front of a lesser or greater width than that covered when the
lines of fire are parallel, it is effected by ordering concentration
on, or distribution from, a named gun. When an aiming point is
employed an angle is given to the battery, followed by the amount of
concentration or distribution required.
5. The amount of concentration or distribution to be given will depend
on the width of the target, the angular measurement of which varies
with the range.
Thus:--
At 2,000 yds., 100 yds. measure 3°, 60 yds. measure 1° 45′.
” 3,000 ” ” ” 2° ” ” 1° 10′.
” 4,000 ” ” ” 1½° ” ” 50′.
” 5,000 ” ” ” 1° 10′ ” ” 40′.
” 6,000 ” ” ” 1° ” ” 35′.
These may be taken as the front covered by a 6-gun or 4-gun battery
respectively when the lines of fire are parallel.
6. The angle given to the battery must bring the flank guns inside the
flanks of the target. The total distribution required is the difference
between the front covered by the battery and the extent of the target.
This must be divided by the number of gun intervals to obtain the
distribution between each gun. If the target is narrower than the front
covered by the battery a similar rule applies, but concentration will
be needed.
If a switch from one target to another is involved, the angle between
the line of fire of a flank gun and the spot on which it is desired to
direct the new line of fire of the same gun should be measured.
7. _Example I._--Supposing a 6-gun battery is required to fire at
a range of 3,000 yards against a target measuring 3°, the fire of
the battery with parallel lines will cover a front of 2°. An extra
distribution of 1° is, therefore, needed. This amount divided by 5
will give 12 minutes for each gun interval, which would be taken as 10
minutes to prevent the fire of the further flank gun being outside the
target. The order would then be “DISTRIBUTE 10 MINUTES, FROM NO. 1.”
No deflection is given to the named gun, but each of the remaining
guns would be given 10 minutes left deflection for every gun interval
between it and No. 1 gun.
_Example II._--Supposing it is desired to concentrate the fire of
the above battery on the right to cover a front of about 30 minutes
at a range of 3,600 yards, the battery commander’s order would be
“CONCENTRATE 15 MINUTES ON NO. 1.” No deflection is given to the gun
named; each of the remaining guns would be given 15 minutes deflection
for every gun interval between it and the gun named, viz., No. 2 gun 15
minutes more right, No. 3 gun 30 minutes more right, and so on.
_Example III._--A 4-gun battery firing at a target whose angular extent
is 4°. It is desired to switch the fire on to a target whose angular
extent is 2°, therefore the difference 2° or 120 minutes divided by
3 (gun intervals) gives 40 minutes which is the concentration to be
ordered.
When there is a considerable difference in range from one target to the
other, parallelism should be first given to the guns before making the
switch.
After the operation of ranging has been completed, the battery
commander has to determine by what method of fire he will engage the
objective. He may do so by one of the three methods described in Sec.
=202= (1), combined, if desired, with “searching” or “sweeping.”
=215.= _Searching._
1. “_Searching_” means distributing fire in depth over an area of
ground by successive alterations in elevation.
2. It will often be impossible to obtain the true range of a target,
either owing to the difficulty of locating its exact position, or to
want of time. All that can then be done is to ascertain two limits
within which the target lies, and to search within those limits. Ranges
at which fire is seen to be ineffective are cut out and the space under
fire is thus gradually reduced.
3. Sometimes it will be necessary to range on a crest line behind which
the target is located. In this case searching should not be attempted
to a greater depth than 400 yards from the crest or other obstacle
to view, unless the battery commander can obtain information as to
the result of his fire or the approximate position of the target,
as results are unlikely to be proportionate to the expenditure of
ammunition. In this connection flank observing parties may be of great
value.
4. Orders as to changes in elevation and number of rounds to be fired
are given by the battery commander.
The amount by which the elevation should be increased for each series
of rounds will depend on the depth of ground which is effectively
covered by the burst of the shell. This amount varies from 100 yards at
short ranges to 50 yards at extreme ranges.
Should the ground to be searched slope considerably to the front, the
above increments should be increased; if to the rear, they should be
diminished. When such is the case the angle of sight will be different
for each successive range. It is generally inadvisable to alter this
angle on the sights, but the slope can be allowed for by altering the
corrector setting, decreasing it if the angle of sight is increased and
_vice versâ_.
=216.= _Sweeping._
1. “_Sweeping_” means distributing fire in width over a front greater
than a battery can cover in the ordinary way.
2. When sweeping fire is employed the lines of fire of the guns must
first of all be opened out, the amount depending on the width of the
target. To obtain the amount of sweep required after the guns have been
opened out multiply the frontage subtended by the target in degrees
by three for a 6-gun battery, five for a 4-gun battery, and ten for a
section. This gives approximately the number of minutes sweep required.
In giving the order to sweep, the battery commander will state in
degrees or minutes the amount of sweep necessary, and such order
will always be prefaced by the rate of fire required, thus:--Battery
commander orders “RANGE ... SECTION (OR BATTERY) FIRE ... SECONDS,
SWEEP ... DEGREES OR MINUTES.” On this order the first round from
each gun is fired in the line ordered, and the second ... degrees (or
minutes) to the right, and the third ... degrees (or minutes) to the
left of the line of the first. This procedure is repeated for as long
as is necessary, the fourth round being fired on the line of the first
and so on.
The guns must be re-laid for elevation and direction after each round.
If the battery is already at section or battery fire and sweeping fire
is required, the battery commander must give the order:--“AT SECTION
(OR BATTERY) FIRE ... SWEEP ... DEGREES (OR MINUTES),” as otherwise the
procedure will be as in para. 3.
3. If it is desired to sweep an area with great rapidity, the battery
commander will order:--“SWEEP ... DEGREES (OR MINUTES),” and the guns
will be fired at gun fire. With guns fitted with traversing gear on
the carriage the layer lays for direction for the first round only,
the line for the second and third rounds being obtained by moving the
traversing gear to the amount of sweep, right or left. The guns must be
re-laid for elevation after each round. After the third round is fired
the gun is traversed on to the original line and the direction checked
by the sights. If it is necessary to repeat this procedure, the battery
commander orders:--“REPEAT.”
4. _Searching and sweeping combined._--If the target possesses
considerable width and depth a combination of searching and sweeping
may be employed.
=217.= _Change of target._
1. When a change of target is ordered, the battery commander measures
the angle between the new and old target. He determines whether any
allowance is necessary to counteract the difference between the angle
he has taken and that required for the battery. (_See_ Sec. =123= (4).)
He then orders or communicates the angle to the battery thus: “ALL GUNS
... DEGREES MORE RIGHT (_or_ LEFT).”
2. With guns not fitted with No. 7 dial sight, if the angle is within
the amount of deflection which can be given on the deflection scale,
the position of the aiming posts may not have to be changed, and the
order is given thus:--
“ALL GUNS ... DEGREES MORE RIGHT (OR LEFT).”
otherwise it is necessary to move the aiming posts and the order will
be--
“LINES OF FIRE ... DEGREES MORE RIGHT (OR LEFT).”
METHODS OF ENGAGING VARIOUS OBJECTIVES.
=218.= _General instructions._
1. The choice of objective, the opening of fire, and the expenditure of
ammunition are governed by the tactical situation and are dealt with
in Chapter VII. The following sections deal primarily with the methods
by which fire can be applied with effect to various objectives.
2. The methods of ranging are described in Sec. =208=, and the examples
in Sec. =227= illustrate those methods. Officers are responsible for
using their discretion as to which method should be employed so that
the fire of their batteries may achieve the object in view.
=219.= _To register a zone._
1. A battery occupying “_a position in observation_” (_see_ Sec. =184=)
may be called upon to “_register_” a certain zone or area of country.
To do this the range should be obtained to various points in such
a manner that fire may be opened rapidly on any objective that may
subsequently appear in their neighbourhood.
Such points may be crest lines, hedges, bridges, roads, clumps of
trees, buildings, the edges of woods, or the limits of open spaces over
which the enemy may be expected to move.
Registering may be carried out with a section or single gun, time or
percussion being used. It is advisable to number or letter the objects
registered from the right, a careful record being kept of the points
registered.
2. The degree of accuracy to which it is desirable to obtain the range
to such points must vary according to the nature of the objective that
may be expected to appear. The range to a crest on which artillery is
expected to come into action must be accurately found. The limits of
open spaces over which movement may be expected cannot, as a rule, be
accurately defined. A few trial shots, therefore, may give sufficient
indication for the purpose.
=220.= _Localities._
1. Villages or individual houses may be fired on by artillery in order
to reduce their resisting power and render the approach to them
easier. Field howitzers or heavy artillery firing lyddite should be
used if available.
2. To destroy an individual house accurate ranging is necessary, only a
sufficient number of guns or howitzers being employed for the purpose.
3. To destroy a village by setting it on fire or to prevent the massing
of reserves in the streets a searching fire should be used.
4. To facilitate the attack on a village or house occupied for defence,
field guns firing percussion shrapnel may be used, as well as howitzers
and heavy artillery, as their projectiles are effective against
personnel behind all ordinary walls. Accurate ranging is necessary;
particularly for line, as it is necessary to hit each individual house.
5. If the edge of a wood is occupied by the enemy’s infantry, it should
be ranged on in the same manner as a trench (_see_ below). A searching
fire may be employed against troops taking cover in a wood, but as it
will usually be difficult, if not impossible, to establish a bracket
with any certainty, effect must depend to a great extent on chance.
=221.= _Staffs._
1. It may be possible to locate groups of officers forming staffs
either mounted or dismounted. Such objectives should be ranged on
rapidly and a quick rate of fire opened for effect till they either
disperse or disappear.
=222.= _Cavalry._
1. Cavalry when mounted must usually be engaged on the move. It may
present a variety of targets; a mass, a line more or less at right
angles or parallel to the line of fire, or an area over which a number
of comparatively small bodies is moving. The direction and pace of
movement must always be reckoned with.
2. A mass will break up under artillery fire, so should be dealt with
by rapid ranging, and an extremely rapid and intense fire till it
breaks up, followed by a searching fire with suitable deflection to
allow for movement.
3. To stop an advancing line the chief considerations are a suitable
distribution and rapid changes of elevation, arranged so that the
cavalry is always advancing into the fire.
At ranges under 2,000 yards it may be advisable to order lengths of
fuze instead of corrector settings.
4. To enfilade a cavalry line moving across the front requires
concentration of the lines of fire with varying elevations for each
section and suitable deflection to compensate for movement.
5. Cavalry, covering a wide area, requires distribution both laterally
and in depth, with deflection and alterations of range to compensate
for movement.
6. Dismounted cavalry will usually be dealt with as infantry. Its led
horses, if they can be located, form a vulnerable objective, which
should be dealt with by rapid ranging followed by rapid fire for effect
till the horses either disperse or gain cover.
=223.= _Artillery._
1. To engage a battery of which the flashes or dust thrown up by
discharge are visible behind a crest, the crest should be bracketed,
and searching fire employed for a suitable distance behind the crest.
If the slope of the ground behind the crest is known, or can be
ascertained, it may afford an indication of the distance behind the
crest to which it is desirable to search.
2. A battery in action or attempting to come into action in the open
engaged by a battery also in the open should be ranged on as quickly as
possible and should be subjected to fire for effect at the earliest
possible moment. The bracket should then be narrowed down and the fire
maintained till the enemy’s fire slackens or becomes inaccurate. If the
range is suitable and observation sufficiently easy, efforts may then
be made to destroy the _matériel_ with percussion shrapnel. To do this
each gun should engage a hostile gun, and the fire of each gun should
be carefully corrected.
A concealed battery engaging a hostile battery in the open will adopt
a similar procedure, but there is not the same need for haste, and the
ranging may be more deliberate.
3. To neutralize a battery it should be subjected to a rapid, accurate
and intense fire till its fire is mastered. It should then be observed
and if it endeavours to intervene again it should be subjected to the
same treatment. A hostile battery, the fire of which has been mastered,
may be neutralized by a portion only of a battery, which should employ
a rapid sweeping fire to compensate for the reduction in the number of
guns.
If a rapid and intense fire is desired against hostile artillery it is
preferable to employ a quick rate of section or battery fire.
4. Guns coming into action in the open can usually establish themselves
in action before the process of ranging on them is completed, unless
the range to some point in the immediate neighbourhood of the position
has been previously ascertained. If this has been done the rapid
opening of fire for effect may cripple the hostile battery before it is
able to open fire.
5. Howitzers and heavy artillery, if available, are especially suitable
for dealing with entrenched guns, the former using shrapnel against
the personnel and lyddite against the entrenchments. The latter would
preferably use lyddite against the entrenchments. Very accurate ranging
is desirable.
6. Every effort should be made to locate the enemy’s observing
stations. When located they should be engaged with a portion of the
guns available.
7. The wagon lines of batteries in action form a vulnerable objective
if they can be located. They should be dealt with in the same manner as
the led horses of cavalry (_see_ Sec. =222= (6).)
=224.= _Infantry._
1. Artillery may fire on hostile infantry for any of the following
reasons:--
i. To facilitate the advance of its own infantry.
ii. To cause the hostile infantry to deploy.
iii. To delay its advance, bring it to a standstill,
or prevent it resuming its advance.
These objects are not likely to be fulfilled unless the fire of the
artillery is sufficiently accurate to cause the infantry loss. The
losses inflicted should, however, be looked upon as the means to the
end.
2. To facilitate the advance of its own infantry against the hostile
infantry the enemy’s fire position must be subjected to an accurate
and well distributed fire. The fire position, whether it be a trench,
a series of trenches, a crest line, the edge of a wood or some other
tactical feature, will seldom be a continuous straight line parallel
to the front of the battery. The line may be broken and the range and
angle of sight to various portions of it may vary.
When engaging irregular shaped targets, such as these, it is advisable,
after obtaining a bracket on a portion of the target, to correct lines
and range during battery fire, and to order individual guns or sections
to add or drop the necessary number of yards.
This applies equally to other irregular targets besides infantry.
In the open “_section control_” may be desirable, if the target is wide
and the line broken, but during the infantry advance bursts of fire
should be in the hands of the battery commander.
Fire for effect should be arranged in bursts of section or battery fire
during which the infantry may gain ground.
3. To cause hostile infantry in close formation to deploy requires
rapid ranging, the obtaining of the best bracket possible in the
shortest possible time and a rapid searching fire for effect within the
limits of the bracket found.
If the appearance of formed bodies of hostile infantry in a certain
locality has been foreseen and the zone has been registered the process
of ranging may be dispensed with, and the full value of surprise effect
may be obtained.
4. When the enemy’s infantry is still beyond the range of rifle fire
it will endeavour to cross open spaces exposed to artillery fire as
rapidly as possible in the least vulnerable formations. If these open
spaces have been registered the advance of the infantry may be delayed
and possibly prevented by establishing a belt of fire through which it
must pass. This belt can be moved at will but if the enemy’s infantry
is only visible at intervals, accurate prediction is required as to the
places where it will be exposed to fire.
5. When the infantry comes under effective rifle fire it will be
compelled to form firing lines in the best fire positions available.
These positions should, if possible, be foreseen and the ranges
ascertained. The method of engaging the infantry when it occupies these
positions will be similar to that referred to above for supporting
the advance against infantry in position. The essentials are accuracy
and suitable distribution. The moral effect of a great volume of fire
should be borne in mind. A rapid and intense fire for a short period
may bring an advance to a standstill or prevent it being resumed. In
a similar way infantry advancing by rushes in extended order may be
stopped or driven to cover by bursts of fire.
6. The most intense fire possible should be employed to prevent the
delivery of an assault.
7. Infantry advancing rapidly to counter-attack must be dealt with by
rapid ranging and rapid fire for effect directed against the front line
of the infantry and corrected as regards range and line in accordance
with its movements. If the advance is checked a searching fire directed
so as to include the supporting troops may be usefully employed.
=225.= _Machine guns._
1. Machine guns often form objectives of great tactical importance, and
it may be necessary to subject them to a very intense fire in order
to silence them. When employed in sections they present a target with
a narrow front and accuracy of line is important. Only a sufficient
number of guns for the purpose should therefore be employed. This
would usually be a section. When entrenched it may be desirable to use
howitzers with either shrapnel or lyddite or both against them.
2. The difficulty in dealing with machine guns in action lies in the
facility with which they can be concealed. If they can be located
accurate ranging for elevation and line are necessary and a few well
placed rounds should either disable the detachments or drive them to
cover. If they cannot be located accurately it may still be possible
to obtain sufficient indication of their whereabouts to enable a wide
bracket to be obtained. Searching fire between the limits of such a
bracket must then be resorted to.
=226.= _Aircraft._
1. It is at present difficult to distinguish hostile from friendly
aircraft, but this difficulty will probably decrease in the future as
the aircraft of different nations tend to develop on distinctive lines.
The strictest control must be exercised over all fire directed against
aircraft as indiscriminate fire may endanger neighbouring units and may
disclose the position of the troops to the enemy’s observers.
2. To engage such objectives certain preparations should, if possible,
be made beforehand. These preparations consist in digging trenches for
the trails and in organizing flank observing parties with telephones.
Some modification of the usual procedure is necessary owing to the
variations which occur in height, range, and direction of these objects
under different influences.
3. _Captive balloons or kites._--Efforts should be made to enclose such
targets within the limits of a 500 or 600 yards bracket, employing a
corrector which gives bursts near the line of sight. The layer must
devote his attention to keeping the gun on the part of the target
indicated.
Subsequently the bracket having been reduced and the corrector
shortened, occasional rounds of gun fire should be fired, each section
using a different elevation.
4. _Airships._--Provided an airship is not moving across the front at
a rapid rate it may be engaged successfully in a similar manner. The
principal points to be attended to are the establishment of a bracket,
and the employment of a corrector, when fire for effect is being
attempted, which will give high bursts. A similar procedure will be
employed against aeroplanes.
=227.= EXAMPLES OF RANGING.
_Note._--These examples are only intended to illustrate the different
methods of ranging.
The methods of engaging various objectives are described in Secs. =218=
to =226=.
I.--_Example of “Collective Ranging.”_
(For all batteries except howitzer and heavy.)
Position of battery--Under cover.
Target--6-gun battery in action in semi-covered position.
Tops of shields visible from observing station.
+------+-------+------+-----+------------+---------------------------
| | | |Corr-| Observed. |
| No. | No. | |ector+--+--+------+
| of | of | Elev-| or |+ |A |Height| Battery Commander’s
|round.| Sub- |ation.|P.S. |or|or| of | Orders.
| |section| | |- |G.|burst.|
+------+-------+------+-----+--+--+------+---------------------------
| | | | | | | |“Guns in action.”
| | | | | | | |“Angle of sight
| | | | | | | | 1° 30′ elevation.”
| | | | | | | |“Collective.” “Corrector
| | | | | | | | 154.”
| | | | | | | |“3400.” “Fire.”
| 1 | 1 | 3400 | 154 |? |A | 20′ |“No. 1--30′ more right.”[23]
| 2 | 2 | ” | ” |? |A | 20′ |“No. 2--1° more right.”[24]
| 3 | 3 | ” | ” |+ |A | 5′ |“No. 3--30′ more right.”[25]
| | | | | | | |“All guns 30′ more
| | | | | | | | right.”[26]
| | | | | | | |“Corrector 162.” “3100.”
| 4 | 4 | 3100 | 162 |- |A | 5′ |“No. 4--10′ more left.”[27]
+------+-------+------+-----+--+--+------+---------------------------
N.B.--Notes [23] and [24] apply to 6-gun batteries only. In 4-gun
batteries individual corrections for line must be sent down
_before_ the new corrector or elevation is given.
[23] These individual corrections are noted but will not be sent down
to the battery, as one correction proves sufficient for all guns.
[24] These individual corrections are noted but will not be sent down
to the battery, as one correction proves sufficient for all guns.
[25] These individual corrections are noted but will not be sent down
to the battery, as one correction proves sufficient for all guns.
[26] As the correction is one for all guns it is sent down _before_ the
new corrector and elevation.
[27] Individual corrections are noted but will not be sent down to the
battery until the elevation for the next salvo has been given.
I.--_Example of “Collective Ranging”--continued._
------+-------+------+-----+------------+---------------------------
| | |Corr-| Observed. |
No. | No. | |ector+--+--+------+
of | of |Elev- | or |+ |A |Height| Battery Commander’s
round.| Sub- |ation.|P.S. |or|or| of | Orders.
|section| | |- |G.|burst.|
------+-------+------+-----+--+--+------+---------------------------
5 | 5 | 3100 | 162 |- |G | ... |“No. 5--20′ more right.”[28]
6 | 6 | ” | ” |- |G | ... |“3300.”
7 | 1 | 3300 | ” |- |A | 5′ |
8 | 2 | ” | ” |- |G | ... |“No. 2--20′ more right.”
9 | 3 | ” | ” |- |A | 5′ |“Corrector 158” “3350.”
| | | | | | | “Battery fire 10 seconds.”
10 | 1 | 3350 | 158 |- |A | 10′ |
11 | 2 | ” | ” |+ |G | |
12 | 3 | ” | ” |- |A | 10′ |
13 | 4 | ” | ” |- |A | 5′ |
14 | 5 | ” | ” |- |A | 15′ |
15 | 6 | ” | ” |- |A | 10′ |
16 | 1 | ” | ” |- |A | 5′ |
17 | 2 | ” | ” |- |G | |
18 | 3 | ” | ” |- |A | 10′ |“5 seconds.” [29]
------+-------+------+-----+--+--+------+---------------------------
[28] Individual corrections are noted but will not be sent down to the
battery until the elevation for the next salvo has been given.
[29] Line having been accurately found the battery commander varies
his rate of fire to such speed as the tactical situation may demand.
II.--_Example of combined “Section” and “Collective Ranging.”_
(For all batteries except howitzer and heavy.)
Position of battery--Under Cover.
Target--6-gun battery in action (visible).
------+-------+------+-----+----------------+------------------------
| | |Corr-| Observed. |
No. | No. | |ector+---+---+--------+
of | of |Elev- | or | + |A | Height | Battery Commander’s
round.| Sub- |ation.|P.S. |or |or | of | Orders.
|section| | | - |G. | burst. |
------+-------+------+-----+---+---+--------+------------------------
| | | | | | |“Guns in action.”
| | | | | | |“Angle of sight
| | | | | | | 1° 30’ elevation.”
| | | | | | |“Right Ranging.”
| | | | | | | “ Percussion.”[30]
| | | | | | |“45--42.” “Fire.”
1 | 1 | 4500 | P.S.| + |...| ... |“No. 1--30′ more right.”
2 | 2 | 4200 | ” | - |...| ... |“No. 2--30′ more right.”
| | | | | | |“Remainder 30’ more
| | | | | | | right.”
| | | | | | |“Collective.” “Corrector
| | | | | | | 154.”
| | | | | { 20′ |“4300.”
3 | 1 | 4300 | 154 |...| A{ (Bullets|
| | | | | { short).|
4 | 2 | ” | ” | ? | A | 20′ |
5 | 3 | ” | ” | - | A | 5′ |“Corrector 162.” “4400.”
6 | 4 | 4400 | 162 | + | A | 5′ |“No. 4--10′ more left.”
7 | 5 | ” | ” | + | G | ... |“No. 5--20′ more right.”
8 | 6 | ” | ” | + | G | ... |“Corrector 158.” “4350.”
| | | | | | |“Battery Fire
| | | | | | | 10 seconds.”
9 | 1 | 4350 | 158 | - | A | 10′ |
10 | 2 | ” | ” | - | A | 10′ |
11 | 3 | ” | ” | + | G | ... |“No. 3--10′ more left.”
12 | 4 | ” | ” | - | A | 10′ |
13 | 5 | ” | ” | - | A | 5′ |
14 | 6 | ” | ” | - | A | 10′ |“Section fire
| | | | | | | 10 seconds.”[31]
------+-------+------+-----+---+---+--------+------------------------
[30].--NOTES Or “Corrector 154.” “45--42.”
[31].--Or “Battery fire ... seconds.”
III.--_Example of “Section Ranging.”_
(For all batteries.)
Position of battery--In the open, supporting an infantry attack.
Target--A trench clearly visible from the battery. The trench,
its extent and the portion allotted to each section are
communicated to the section commanders.
------+-----+------+----+-------------------+-----------------------
| No. | |Cor-| Observed. |
No. | of |Eleva-|rec-+-----+---+---------+
of |Sub- |tion. |tor | + | A | Height | Battery Commander’s
round.|sec- | | or | or |or | of | Orders.
|tion.| |P.S.| - | G.| burst. |
------+-----+------+----+-----+---+---------+-----------------------
| | | | | | |“Open Sights” (or
| | | | | | | “Telescope sights”).
| | | | | | | “Right ranging.”
| | | | | | | “Percussion.”[32]
| | | | | | |“28--25.” “10
| | | | | | | seconds.”[33]
1 | 1 | 2800 |P.S.| + |...| ... |“Section Commanders
| | | | | | | correct for line.”
2 | 2 | 2500 | “ | - |...| ... |”27--26.“ ”2
| | | | | | | seconds.“[34]
3 | 1 | 2700 | ” | + |...| ... |
4 | 2 | 2600 | “ | + |...| ... |”26--25.”
5 | 1 | 2600 | “ | + |...| ... |
6 | 2 | 2500 | ” | - |...| ... |“Corrector 144”
| | | | | | | “2550.” “Battery
| | | | | | | Fire, 10 seconds.”[35]
------+-----+------+----+-----+---+---------+-----------------------
[32] Or “Corrector 152”--“28--25.”
[33] Interval suitable to time of flight is ordered as the battery is
firing over the heads of its own infantry which is approaching the
objective.
[34] The battery commander is satisfied that his infantry is in no
danger from his fire, so he shortens the interval.
[35] As battery commander is not certain that the whole extent of the
target is parallel to the front of the battery, he orders a longer
interval in order that he may correct the range of individual guns if
necessary.
III.--_Example of “Section Ranging”--continued._
------+-----+------+----+-------------------+------------------------
| No. | |Cor-| Observed. |
No. | of |Eleva-|rec-+-----+---+---------+
of |Sub- |tion. |tor | + | A | Height | Battery Commander’s
round.|sec- | | or | or |or | of | Orders.
|tion.| |P.S.| - | G.| burst. |
------+-----+------+----+-----+---+---------+------------------------
7 | 1 | 2550 |144 | ... | A | 5’ |
8 | 2 | ” | “ | + | G | ... |
9 | 3 | ” | ” | - | G | ... |“Corrector 138.”
10 | 4 | ” |138 | ... | A | 10′ |
| | | | | |{ 10′ |
11 | 5 | ” | “ | ... | A |{(Bullets|
| | | | | |{ over) |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | |{ 10′ |
12 | 6 | ” | ” | ... | A |{(Bullets| “Left section drop 50.”
| | | | | |{ over) |
13 | 1 | ” | “ | ... | A | 10′ |
14 | 2 | ” |... |Range| G | ... |
15 | 3 | ” |... | ... | A | 10′ |
16 | 4 | ” |... | ... | A | 5′ |
17 | 5 | 2500 |... | ... | A | 10′ |
18 | 6 | ” |... | ... | A | 10′ |
19 | 1 | 2550 |... | ... | A | 10′ |”2 seconds.“[36]
20} | | | | | | |
to} | ... | ... |... | ... |...| ... |”20 seconds.“[37]
40} | | | | | | |
------+-----+------+----+-----+---+---------+------------------------
[36] Battery commander sees that his infantry is checked, so orders a
burst of fire.
[37] Battery commander seeing that his own infantry has been helped to
advance, as desired, comes back to a slow rate.
IV.--_Example of engaging advancing (or retiring) infantry._
Position of battery--In observation under cover, with orders to delay
the advance of hostile infantry in a certain zone. Ground has been
registered.
Target--Lines of infantry. The angle of sight to a point towards which
they are advancing has been previously registered as 20’ depression,
the range as 3,650 yards.
------+-----+------+----+--------------+----------------------------
| No. | |Cor-| Observed. |
No. | of |Eleva-|rec-+---+---+------+
of |Sub- |tion. |tor | + | A |Height| Battery Commander’s
round.|sec- | | or |or |or | of | Orders.
|tion.| |P.S.| - | G.|burst.|
------+-----+------+----+---+---+------+----------------------------
| | | | | | |“All guns 3° more right.”
| | | | | | |“Angle of sight
| | | | | | | 20′ depression.”
| | | | | | |“Right ranging.”
| | | | | | |“Percussion.”[38]
| | | | | | |“37--36.” “Fire.”
1 | 1 | 3700 |P.S.| + | | |
2 | 2 | 3600 | “ | - |...| ... |”All guns 1° more right.”
| | | | | | |“Corrector 146.”
| | | | | | |“3650.” “One round battery
| | | | | | | fire 10 seconds.”
3 | 1 | 3650 |146 | - | A | 10′ |
4 | 2 | ” | “ | - | G | ... |”No. 2--20′ more right.”
5 | 3 | ” | “ | - | A | 15′ |
6 | 4 | ” | ” | - | A | 10′ |
7 | 5 | ” | “ | + | G | ... |”No. 5--10′ mere left.”
8 | 6 | ” | “ | - | A | 5′ |[39]
------+-----+------+----+---+---+------+----------------------------
[38]--Or “Corrector 154.”
[39]--Battery commander has now corrected his lines and has
established a “belt” of fire parallel to the front of his guns, through
which the infantry must pass. In this example lines are not opened
out. The whole “belt” can be shifted up and down, right or left, as
the subsequent movement of the enemy may dictate, and a quick rate of
battery or section fire can be employed as necessary.
V.--_Example of “Section Ranging.”_
(Howitzer battery. Ranging in degrees.)
Position of battery--Under cover, supporting an infantry attack.
Target--A trench.
Battery commander issues instructions for obtaining the line of fire.
Range-takers range 3300.
LEGEND:
A = No. of Subsection
B = Elevation.
C = Projectile.
D = Corrector.
------+-------+------+-----+----+-------------------+---------------
| | | | | Observed. |
No. | A | B | C | D +--+-----+---+------+
of | | | | |+ | |A |Height| Battery
round.| | | | |or|Line.|or | of | Commander’s
| | | | |- | |G. |burst.| Orders.
------+-------+------+-----+----+--+-----+---+------+---------------
| | | | | | | | |“Trench.”
| | | | | | | | |“Angle of
| | | | | | | | | sight.......”
| | | | | | | | |“Right ranging
| | | | | | | | | lyddite.[40]
| | | | | | | | | 3rd charge.”
| | | | | | | | |“26°--23°, fire.”
1 | 1 | 26° | L |... |+ |Left | | |
2 | 2 | 23° | L |... |- | ” |...| ... |“All guns 1°
| | | | | | | | | more right.”
| | | | | | | | | “25°--24°.”
3 | 1 | 25° | L |... |+ |Right|...| ... |“No. 1--20’
| | | | | | | | | more left.”
4 | 2 | 24° | L |... |- |Line |...| ... |“Repeat.” “Time
| | | | | | | | | shrapnel.”
5 | 1 | 25° | L |... |+ | ” | | |
6 | 2 | 24° | L |... |- | ” |...| ... |“Échelon 140.”
| | | | | | | | | “24° 30′.”
7 | 1 |24°30′| T.S.|140 |? | ” | A | 60′ |
8 | 2 | ” | ” |150 |+ | ” | A | 40′ |
9 | 3 | ” | ” |160 |? |Right| A | 10′ |“No. 3--1° more
| | | | | | | | | left.”[41]
| | | | | | | | |“Corrector 154,
| | | | | | | | | one round
| | | | | | | | | battery fire.”
10 | 1 | ” | ” |154 |- |Line | G | |
11 | 2 | ” | ” | “ |- | ” | A | |
12 | 3 | ” | ” | ” |? |Left | A | ... |“No. 3--20′ more
| | | | | | | | | right.”[42]
13 | 4 | ” | ” | “ |? |Right| A | ... |”No. 4--30′
| | | | | | | | | more left.”
14 | 5 | ” | ” | “ |+ |Line | A | |
15 | 6 | ” | ” | ” |+ | ” | G | ... |“Section fire
| | | | | | | | | 40 secs.”
------+-------+----------+------+--+-----+---+------+---------------
NOTES.--With 3rd Charge 1° elevation = 85 yards.
With 3rd Charge 50% zone = 45 yards.
[40] Or “Right ranging, 3rd Charge, Corrector 150, 26°--23°. fire.”
[41] Splash of bullets visible.
[42] Splash of bullets visible.
VI.--_Example of “Single Gun Ranging.”_
(Heavy battery.)
Position of battery--Under cover.
Target--Guns in open.
Battery commander issues instructions for obtaining parallel
lines of fire.
------+-------+------+-----+----+-------------------+---------------
| No. | | | | Observed. |
No. | of |Eleva-|Pro- |Cor-+--+-----+---+------+
of |Subsec-|tion. |jec- |rec-|+ | |A |Height| Battery
round.| tion | |tile.|tor.|or|Line.|or | of | Commander’s
| | | | |- | |G. |burst.| Orders.
------+-------+------+-----+----+--+-----+---+------+---------------
| | | | | | | | |“Guns in action.”
| | | | | | | | |“Angle of sight
| | | | | | | | | --1° 30′”
| | | | | | | | | elevation.”
| | | | | | | | |“No. 1 ranging.”
| | | | | | | | |“Lyddite.”
| | | | | | | | |“6800.” “Fire.”
1 | 1 | 6800 | L | |+ |Left | | |“All guns 20′
| | | | | | | | | more right.”
| | | | | | | | |“6500.”
2 | 1 | 6500 | L | |- |Line | | |“6700.”
3 | 1 | 6700 | P.S.| |- | ” | | |“6800.”
4 | 1 | 6800 | ” | |+ | ” | | |“6700.” “Time
| | | | | | | | | shrapnel.”
5 | 1 | 6700 | ” | |+ | ” | | |“Échelon 140.”
| | | | | | | | | “6700.”
| | | | | | | | |
6 | 1 | ” | T.S.|140 |? | ” | A | 40′ |
7 | 2 | ” | ” |150 |- |Left | A | 10′ |“No. 2--30′
| | | | | | | | | more right.”
8 | 3 | ” | ” |160 |+ | ” | G | |“No. 3--20′
| | | | | | | | | more right.”
| | | | | | | | |“Corrector 146.”
| | | | | | | | | “One
| | | | | | | | | round battery
| | | | | | | | | fire.”
9 | 1 | ” | ” |146 |- |Line | A | 30′ |
10 | 2 | ” | ” | “ |+ | ” | A | 20′ |
11 | 3 | ” | ” | ” |- | ” | A | 10′ |
12 | 4 | ” | ” | “ |? |Left | A | 25′ |”No. 4--10′
| | | | | | | | | more right.”
| | | | | | | | |“Section fire,
| | | | | | | | | 40 seconds.”
------+-------+------+-----+----+--+-----+---+------+---------------
CHANGE OF POSITION.
=228.= _To advance._
1. The alternative methods are as follows, that adopted depending upon
the circumstances of the moment.
i. The battery commander orders “PREPARE TO ADVANCE” and
issues his instructions to the battery leader. The
captain orders up the gun limbers followed by the first
line wagons. As these approach the position the battery
commander orders “CEASE FIRING,” “FRONT (OR REAR) LIMBER
UP.” The firing battery wagons remain on the position
and are removed under the orders of the captain.
ii. If it is proposed to advance with the firing battery
wagons the battery commander orders “WITH FIRING BATTERY
WAGONS PREPARE TO ADVANCE.” Procedure is similar to that
in i., except that the teams (or limbers, if wagons have
been unlimbered) of the firing battery wagons are sent
up in the place of the first line wagons.
iii. The battery commander orders “PREPARE TO LIMBER UP,”
and issues instructions to the battery leader and
section commanders. The guns are run back to cover by
hand and limbered up independently under the supervision
of section commanders. The captain directs the first
line wagons under charge of a non-commissioned officer
to the position of assembly (Sec. =195= (5)), and sends
up each limber to its gun as soon as he sees that
it is required. When limbered up each gun proceeds
independently to the position of assembly, where it is
formed up by the non-commissioned officer in charge of
the first line wagons. The firing battery wagons are
left on the position to be removed under the orders of
the captain as circumstances permit.
In a covered position it will generally be possible to adopt methods i.
or ii.
In an open or semi-covered position a cessation of hostile fire may
permit of method i., but more often it will be necessary to adopt
method iii.
On occasions it may be advisable to move a portion of the battery
covered by the fire of the remaining guns.
=229.= _To retire._
1. When a retirement is contemplated the battery commander informs
the captain of his intentions, specifying the general direction to be
followed, and, should he intend the battery to come into action again,
the approximate locality of the new position. He will also give orders
as to whether the first line wagons are to accompany or precede the
battery in the retirement. The captain arranges for the movement of the
first line wagons accordingly.
Two alternative methods of carrying out the retirement are given, that
adopted depending upon the circumstances of the case, and being subject
to modifications if the battery is under heavy hostile fire.
i. The battery commander orders “PREPARE TO RETIRE”
and issues his instructions to the battery leader. The
captain orders up the gun limbers, followed by the teams
(or limbers, if wagons have been unlimbered) of the
firing battery wagons. As these approach the position
the battery commander orders “CEASE FIRING,”
“REAR (OR FRONT) LIMBER UP.”
ii. The battery commander orders “TO RETIRE, PREPARE TO
LIMBER UP,” and issues any necessary instructions to
the battery leader and section commanders. A few rounds
are taken from each wagon and laid on the ground beside
the gun. The firing battery wagons are run back under
cover by hand. Their teams (or limbers, if wagons have
been unlimbered) are then sent up by the captain as
required, and the wagons driven to the position of
assembly. As soon as the battery commander sees that the
firing battery wagons are clear, he orders “CEASE
FIRING,” and the guns are run back by hand and
limbered up as in method iii., Sec. =228=.
It may sometimes be advisable to withdraw a portion of the battery
covered by the fire of the remaining guns.
Should it be intended to come into action again, the captain (or a
section commander), as soon as his duties allow, accompanied by the
range-takers, and such other members of the battery headquarters as can
be spared, proceeds to reconnoitre and select the new position.
In a covered position it will generally be possible to adopt method i.
In an open or semi-covered position a cessation of hostile fire may
permit of method i., but more often it wall be necessary to adopt
method ii.
REPLACEMENT OF CASUALTIES.
=230.= _Casualties on the move._
1. If during an advance or retirement a wagon becomes separated from
its gun, the gun will proceed and come into action with the battery.
The wagon will drive up into its place as soon as it is able to catch
up, or in case of a serious breakdown, the captain will send up a wagon
from the first line wagons. Till the arrival of the wagon, ammunition
will be obtained from the wagon limber of the other gun of the section.
Should a casualty occur to a gun, the damage should, when possible, be
made good from its wagon.
2. In mountain artillery, if a firing battery mule becomes a casualty,
its load will at once be transferred to the relief mule, another relief
mule to replace this one being immediately ordered up from the first
line mules. It will sometimes save delay, when the distance to the
position for action is short, to bring up the load by hand.
=231.= _Casualties in action._
1. The following rules refer to the immediate replacement of casualties
in action. They do not preclude other arrangements being subsequently
made by superior authority. (_See also_ Handbook of the gun.)
1. Casualties are replaced by the next senior as soon as circumstances
permit. All ranks must, therefore, know what duties they will perform
in the event of casualties occurring.
ii. If, when the battery commander becomes a casualty, the captain is
not with the line of guns, the senior section commander will command
until the latter arrives.
In cases where the battery commander only leaves the battery
temporarily (as, for instance, when he is the senior battery commander,
and takes command of the brigade while its commander is reconnoitring),
the senior section commander leads the battery, the captain remaining
in charge of the wagons.
iii. Men sent up to replace casualties will report themselves to the
section commanders who should order such changes of duties in their
detachments as they consider necessary. Section commanders must
remember that the layer will probably not show any visible signs of
fatigue until long after he has for the time being lost his efficiency
as a layer. When firing is continuous he should be changed after about
half an hour.
iv. Wounded will be sent back to the line of wagons, if it can be done
without impediment to the service of the guns, from whence they will be
removed to the dressing station.
2. Ammunition wagons may be ignited on being struck either by
projectiles or bullets, the liability increasing with the amount of
wood used in the construction of the wagons or boxes. Should a wagon
be ignited by a projectile there is usually very little danger of it
blowing up immediately; attempts should therefore at once be made to
put out the fire, remove the ammunition from the wagon, or move the
wagon away.