The war between Servia and Bulgaria (1885) is very instructive in this connection. As in 1859, 1870 and 1877, that force was defeated, which, trusting to the superiority of its rifles, opened fire at long ranges. The Servian skirmishers often did not even get within decisive range of the position of their opponents.
The British infantry, armed with a long range rifle
equipped with an excellent rear sight arrangement, allowed
itself to be enticed, by the long range fire of the Boers, into
opening fire at 1200 and 1300 m. (Guard at Modder River)
and even at 1600 and 1700 m. (6th Division at Paardeberg)
against an enemy whose position was not discernible even
through the most powerful glasses. The losses were small
and not to be compared with those which our Guard suffered
without firing, during their advance on St. Privat. The advance
of the Gordon Highlanders at Doornkop (29th May,
1900) to within short range of the hostile position, without
firing a shot, although they themselves were under fire from
2000 m. on, was splendid.[1]
Since the assailant presents larger targets than the defender, and the latter can make preparations for firing, ascertain ranges, construct rifle-rests, and replenish ammunition without difficulty, it is proper in defense to open fire at long ranges, especially in delaying actions, for then fighting at short ranges is to be avoided in any case. It is absolutely correct for the defender to make the most of the advantages above mentioned. While everything is orderly and in readiness in the defender's firing line, the attacker's line is still in the process of forming. Should the defender wait until the hostile firing line has systematically deployed and has made a lodgment within short range of his position, or should he produce losses and create confusion in its ranks by suddenly opening fire?
The employment of long range fire on the defensive is justified when sufficient ammunition is available, when artillery is not present, and when the hostile infantry pursues the tactics of advancing to short range without firing. "Infantry
- ↑ The Times History of the War in South Africa, IV, p. 141.
