(rushes with breathing spells, and cover) until serious losses are sustained and the leader has reason to fear that his men will lose their morale and throw themselves down without orders. Frequently several groups will open fire while the others continue to advance. The endeavor should be to open fire only when the attacking force has gotten as close as possible to the lower limit of mid combat range (800-1200 m.).[1]
Errors in estimating the range are offset by the flat trajectory of the rifle only at short ranges, and only at these ranges can there be any question of an effective preparation of the attack by fire. These views are expressed in the German regulations.
Recent wars demonstrate that, whenever the attacker opened fire at long ranges, the attack finally came to a stand-*still, that the troops in many cases fired away all their ammunition, and that the whole attack failed.
"Whenever the attacking regiment opened fire this was unfortunately
a sign that the attack had been repulsed." This remark made by
Kuropatkin in regard to the fight of the Russian infantry (center group)
on Sept. 11th, 1877, at Plevna, is characteristic of the Russian ideas. On
the occasion referred to, the Russians advanced on the Turkish works
without fire preparation; the firing lines halted 400 to 600 m. from the
Turkish position and commenced firing. They succumbed because it
never occurred to the leaders to reinforce them and attempt to gain a
superiority of fire. Even in Skobeleff's attack there was no sign of actual
fire preparation, but, as soon as the line halted, strong reinforcements
were pushed in to carry it forward. The attack, made on a front of
about 800 m., suffered heavy losses, but succeeded, although all organizations
were in complete disorder. After advancing 1000 m., the
decimated first line (8 battalions) halted; fifteen fresh companies
carried it forward some 150 m.; then Skobeleff threw in twenty companies
in one body, which carried the line forward to within approximately
100 to 150 m. of the work. At this moment Skobeleff threw himself
into the fight and succeeded in taking the Turkish position with his
badly cut up troops. Doubtless an act of undeniable gallantry, but not one
worthy of imitation.
- ↑ At Paardeberg (18th March, 1900), the left wing of the Highland Brigade advanced, without firing a shot, to within 450 m. of the hostile position. This advance, to be sure, was made under cover of the fire of the right wing of the 9th Brigade, which had made a lodgment within 750 m. of the enemy's position.
