Chapter IX · BATTERY TACTICS. (continued 2)
Reading edition
batteries individual corrections for line must be sent down
before the new corrector or elevation is given.
I.—Example of “Collective Ranging”—continued.
No. of round. No. of Subsection Elevation Corrector or P.S. Observed. Battery Commander’s Orders.
+ or - A or G. Height of 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]
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).
No. of round. No. of Subsection Elevation Corrector or P.S. Observed. Battery Commander’s Orders.
+ or - A or G. Height of 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 P.S. - ... ... “No. 2—30′ more right.”
“Remainder 30’ more right.”
“Collective.” “Corrector 154.”
3 1 4300 154 ... 20′ “4300.”
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]
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. of round. No. of Subsection Elevation Corrector or P.S. Observed. Battery Commander’s Orders.
+ or - A or G. Height of 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]
III.—Example of “Section Ranging”—continued.
No. of round. No. of Subsection Elevation Corrector or P.S. Observed. Battery Commander’s Orders.
+ or - A or G. Height of burst.
7 1 2550 144 ... A 5’
8 2 ” ” + G ...
9 3 ” ” - G ... “Corrector 138.”
10 4 ” 138 ... A 10′
11 5 ” ” ... A 10′
(Bullets
over)
12 6 ” ” ... A 10′ “Left section drop 50.”
(Bullets
over)
13 1 ” ” ... A 10′
14 2 ” ... Range G ...
15 3 ” ... ... A 10′
16 4 ” ... ... A 5′
17 5 1500 ... ... A 10′
18 6 ” ... ... A 10′
19 1 2550 ... ... A 10′ ”2 seconds.“[36]
20 to 40 ... ... ... ... ... ... ”20 seconds.“[37]
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. of round. No. of Subsection Elevation Corrector or P.S. Observed. Battery Commander’s Orders.
+ or - A or G. Height of 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]
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.
No. of round. A B C D Observed. Battery Commander’s Orders.
+ or - Line. A or G. Height of burst.
“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.
VI.—Example of “Single Gun Ranging.”
(Heavy battery.)
Position of battery—Under cover.
Target—Guns in open.
Battery commander issues instructions for obtaining the parallel lines of fire.
LEGEND:
A = No. of Subsection
B = Elevation.
C = Projectile.
D = Corrector.
No. of round. A B C D Observed. Battery Commander’s Orders.
+ or - Line. A or G. Height of burst.
“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.