- plains why the enemy's fire passes entirely over a body of
troops which has gotten quite close to his position—by no means an unusual phenomenon in surprises."[1]
Wolozkoi assumes that the core of hits of his constant cone is formed by projectiles fired at a mean angle of departure of less than 4 degrees, while the lower trajectories of the whole cone of fire correspond to an angle of 1 degree and 30 minutes, and the upper trajectories to one of 14 degrees and 30 minutes. If we apply these figures to a particular rifle we obtain a beaten zone containing 50% of the hits (central zone) at 560-1500 m. for the Chassepot rifle; at 1000-2000 m. for the 8 mm. rifle, and at 1200-3000 m. for the 6.5 mm. rifle. It should once more be emphasized that these figures are applicable in combat phases in which the men themselves are under fire, while firing, or deliver their fire hurriedly or with bad aim.
During the Franco-German war the German troops learned by experience
that the defender's fire inflicted serious losses on the attacker
at long ranges, but that the efficacy of his fire did not increase as the
skirmishers came closer to his position; that, on the contrary, the intensity
of the hostile fire effect fell off noticeably at ranges below 600 m.
During the attack made by the Prussian Guard against St. Privat, the greatest number of dead and wounded were counted at ranges from 1200-1500 m., and the fewest losses were sustained at ranges from 500-600 m. from the enemy's position, where it had to remain stationary on the slope for about an hour awaiting the effect of the enveloping movement made by the Saxon Army Corps. A range of 1500 m. corresponds approximately to an angle of departure of 5 degrees for the Chassepot rifle. The 20th Infantry Division was molested by rifle fire from St. Privat, during its march from St. Ail to St. Privat (the range in this case was 2200 m., which corresponds to an angle of departure of 15 degrees 30 minutes for the Chassepot rifle) although the skirmishers of the Guard, against whom this fire was directed, were only from 400 to 500 m. from the French position.
In the Russo-Turkish war of 1877-78, the same thing occurred. Infantry projectiles reached the Russian reserves while they were still 2500 m. from the enemy (this range corresponds to an angle of departure of 14 degrees 30 minutes).
- ↑ F. C. v. II. Zum Studium der Taktik, p. 97.
