the target at 3000 and 3200 m., the battery would fire at 2900, 3000, 3200, and 3300 m.
2. "Sweeping" (fauchage) is employed when it is desired to cover a broader zone. In this every gun fires three rounds at each of the ranges designated. The first round is fired with the line of sight directed on the right portion of the target (or on the aiming point). Before firing each of the succeeding rounds, the direction of the piece is changed to the left by three turns of the traversing handwheel. At the next range this process is reversed, the direction of the piece being changed to the right by three turns of the traversing handwheel after each round. At 2500 m., for example, a battery can cover, in this manner, a space twice the width of its own front.
3. "Fire at successive ranges" (searching fire). In this fire salvos or volleys are delivered at the target at a number of ranges to be designated by the battery commander.[1]
During the Russo-Japanese war, all close order formations proved unsuitable under artillery fire, except when the terrain afforded cover. The Japanese infantry recognized very soon that the best protection against artillery fire lay in constant motion (irregular rushes made by small units) and in wide extension. The following procedure, employed at Yoshirei on July 31st, 1904, seems worthy of imitation:[2] The several platoons of the companies followed each other in deployed lines at distances of 200-300 m. When they had to cross open ground in order to reach a designated line, the platoons sought to advance by squads, whose men were deployed at intervals of 5-10 paces and who moved at a rapid gait inter-*
- ↑ The Belgian Drill Regulations (1907) give the following details in regard to the fire effect of a French four gun battery: In "progressive fire" (tir progressif), 32 rounds cover a space 100 m. wide and 400 m. deep (1 fragment covers 6 sq. m.). When direct laying is employed, one fragment covers 2 sq. m. In "progressive fire with sweeping" (tir progressif avec fauchage), 48 shrapnel cover a space 200 m. wide and 400 m. deep, each fragment covering 8 sq. m. Depending upon the range, 1-1/2 to 5 minutes are required to secure adjustment. (See p. 119 supra).
- ↑ Sir Ian Hamilton, A Staff Officer's Scrap Book, I, p. 337.
