The remarks under 3 and 4 simply mean that the probable error in taking the ranges to be 2100 and 2000 m. respectively, will not be greater than 25 m. Therefore for cases 1 and 2 the fuse may be cut for a 2050 m. range, in case 3 for a 2100 m. range and in case 4 for a 2000 m. range, with prospects of obtaining good results, whereas for cases 5 and 6 the establishment of a new fork will be necessary. In special cases, for example against artillery, it is permissable to get a more accurate range, i. e., correct within 25 m.

The trial of the distance at which the time fuse is first used is considered to be a suitable proceeding; also little can be said against the method and manner in which this is done. On the other hand it is doubtful if the time should be taken to get a more accurate range, and least of all would this be justifiable in an artillery duel. Everything will not depend so much on obtaining the greatest possible effect as on obtaining a sufficient but timely one.

While the battery commander controls this part of the firing with one flank platoon (section-guide), the other two will have passed to the use of time fuses, each one regulating its own height of burst. They will make use of the last range ordered by the battery commander, and will, in case of necessity, make simultaneous correction with the breech sight and in cutting the fuse. The height of burst is correct when the center of burst is rob of the range, i. e., for 1000 m., 4 m., for 2000 m., 8 m., etc.*

If the correct range has been found we will obtain at these heights of burst a dispersion of the points of bursting (in range) at

1000 m. of 95 m.

2000 m. of 60 m.

3000 m. of 46 m.

4000 m. of 40 m.

This normal height of burst (hauteur type) has for all ranges the same ap parent height, and therefore, after some practice, the eye can readily determine the correct height.

Points of burst which are higher than this "hauteur type" are called high; if · more than twice as high they are called very high. Points of burst which fall below this "hauteur type" are called low, and if, as when firing at a high target, they fall below the target they are called very low. The chiefs of platoons should correct the fuse cutting after every two observed shots, and this correction should be made to the extent of

0.4" after having observed 2 very high (or low) bursts.t

0.2" after having observed 2 high (or low) bursts.

0.1' after having observed 1 high (or low) and 1 normal burst.

As soon as the battery commander considers that he has an accurate range, he will cause his platoon to use the time-fuse, then give the necessary commands for the entire battery to take the range as finally decided upon, direct special pieces to fire at special parts of the target, and will cause several rounds (une rafale) to be delivered at rapid fire.

By carrying out these regulations the greatest possible effect will, without doubt, be obtained; it will only be a question as to how, in serious affairs, the mechanism will work. The practical regulation of fuse cutting calls for educated officers, especially as they can only make use of a range given by the platoon still using percussion fuses. In cutting the fuse they cannot make

* This measure corresponds to a change in rear sight of in the German field artillery. Very low points of burst can only be obtained when firing at targets higher than the gun; on a level plain it will strike the ground.

use of the range alone, ordered by the captain, but must take into account the corrections demanded by their own observations. It has already been observed that this cannot be done without the use of a range table, and it may be asserted to be almost impossible without the use of written notes.*

It is expecting rather too much from an officer to require him intelligently to make out these corrections (which alone demand close attention) at the same time that he is observing his shots and supervising the service of the piece, his platoon being under fire all the while.

In regard to corrections for deviation it is prescribed that consideration shall be given at the start to the deviating component of the wind and to the inclination of the wheels of the carriage. The former is the duty of the battery commander and the latter that of the chief of platoon. The manual rightly cautions against "weak" corrections, which lead to nothing, and recommends, when the deviations of the first shots are great, deviation corrections of 10 mm. (about 12 divisions of the deviating scale on the German guns); for all other deviations observed in the beginning it recommends a correction of 5 mm.

In firing at moving targets, the first thing to be determined is the direction of the movement, i.e., whether it is to the front or to the rear. Either percussion or time fuse may be used. After the direction of the movement has been determined, the rules for firing with percussion fuses are the same as those prescribed by the German regulations, with the difference that the fork is always established by one platoon only, the other platoons conforming to the results thus obtained. If a shot has been observed to fall over (or short), and it is necessary immediately afterwards to make use of rapid fire, it is permissible to turn backward (or forward) the crank handle of the elevating screw a quarter, a half or a whole turn, depending on the rapidity with which the gun is aimed. Such a regulation formerly existed in the German service, but was repealed ten or twelve years ago as unsuitable to the purpose.

If the direction of the movement cannot be made out, a circumstance which may readily happen when an oblique movement is being made at a great distance, then a fork of 100 m. is established, which fork is later reduced to 50 m.; if the shots still strike short or over, a corresponding change of 50 m. is made in the range (tir de surveillance). If an effect is observed the elevation is retained. If on the other hand, after two corrections of 50 m. each have been made according to the above method, further deviations towards the same direction are observed, the direction of the movement may be determined, and then the rules for advancing or retreating targets are followed. Against targets moving towards a flank, deviation corrections must be made (compare with Par. 127, German firing regulations). When, after the establishment of the fork the firing with time fuses begins, one of the flank platoons retains the percussion fuse in order to be more certain of the movement of target; the other platoons fire a volley as the target approaches one end of the fork.

In certain cases,—for example, when the ground at the target is marshy or covered with snow, or when hostile artillery occupies a height to which both front and rear approaches are very steep, or when the projectiles at great distances penetrate the ground deeply, in short, whenever the percussion fuse cannot be observed,-the range is found directly by means of the time fuse (tir d'emblée). For this purpose, it is endeavored to get a point of * The chiefs of platoon may also have calculating rulers (r glettes de correspondance) which will make it easier for them to carry out the corrections.

burst lower than the normal, and then, firing by platoons, a fork is established by making simultaneous corrections for elevation and fuse setting. At the proper range,-to what limits the fork should be narrowed down is not stated-the correct height of burst is obtained by cutting down the time fuse.

When observations are made with difficulty, or when the establishment of a fork of 100 m. does not succeed, or when it is believed to be of importance to use the time fuse early in the fight, it will suffice to take a space of more or less depth and bring it under fire by making simultaneous corrections for elevation and fuse cutting (tir progressif). The firing with time fuses is begun by taking for the range the distance to the near end of the fork, or if no fork has been established, the distance to the furthest "short shot" is taken. For the succeeding shots the ranges are increased 100 or 200 m., but the corrections should be so made as to finally still fall short of the target. If a fork has been established, firing at the long fork range should be avoided.* The depth of the space to be put under fire may be reduced in accordance with the result of the observation. In order that the battery commander may carry out these observations undisturbed, the firing is conducted by the chiefs of platoon, a duty which at other times belongs to the battery commander. It is recommended that one platoon fire with its fuses so cut as to give low points of burst, even if some of the effect is thereby lost, because in this way more shots may be observed.

Canister is used in cases of surprises and sudden attacks at close quarters; for example, against cavalry which is closer than 600 m. A superficial aim will suffice. Canister fire must be delivered with the greatest coolness, and is carried out by platoon volleys at the commands of the battery commander or of the chiefs of platoon.

In firing by battalion (or groups of batteries), the commanding officer's duty is to see that the batteries under him perform the work prescribed by the regimental commander. He picks out the position the batteries are to occupy, sees that the ranges are obtained before the batteries go into action, and obtains from the neighboring troops already engaged all such information as may be of value to him. He divides the terrain to be placed under fire into several targets, dividing them among the different batteries; he also orders changes of targets, directs and supervises the replacing of ammunition and looks out for the protection of the batteries; he pays special attention to the development of the battle so as not to confound hostile with friendly troops. Firing over friendly troops on level ground is permissible only when the same are at least 500 m. in front of his guns and not less than 500 m. in front of the target fired at.

The battalion commander may take a position within a battery or else on one of the flanks of the battalion in order to observe the firing of his batteries. The battery commanders are responsible for the determination of their own ranges; at the same time the battalion commander may order a battery to take a different range if he doubts the accuracy of the range found, and in case of necessity must assume charge of finding the range.

Generally the battalion commander designates a battery, the one best fitted for the work, whose special object is to get the range (batterie-guide). Speaking of firing by battalion (tir de groupe) the manual means such firing as is conducted by a whole battalion firing at one and the same target.

The

"En principe on fait autant de bonds, que l'encadrement renferme des fourchettes moins une, afin d'éviter sur la limite longue."

mode of action varies, according as to whether the target is so broad that it can be divided among the three batteries, or else so narrow that it cannot be so divided in getting the range. In the first case each battery gets its own range; however, the battalion commander informs all batteries of the range found by the batterie-guide. If the difference between the latter and that found by the battery, after considering any difference of position, is greater than 100 m., the battery commanders will be controlled by their own ranging; in no case will they accept the range given them without testing it.

When the targets are narrow, it is difficult for several batteries to get the range at the same time, because the projectiles from the different batteries are apt to cause confusion. The battalion commander therefore designates the "batterie-guide" to obtain an accurate range, while the other batteries immediately open fire, using the time fuse, and making use of a range estimated by the batterie-guide. But they must be careful to cut their fuses so as to get a higher than a normal point of burst, so as to eliminate all probability of getting a burst on impact, which would interfere with the work of the batterie-guide. As soon as this battery obtains the range the other batteries make use of it.

In getting the range, the rapidity of fire must not be greater than will enable one shot to be observed before a succeeding one is fired. Considering the time of flight there will result, at 2000 m., a rapidity of fire of three shots per minute, and at 4000 m., of two shots per minute. After the range is found, the rapidity of fire will conform to orders from the battalion commander, or to the conditions of the battle. A well trained battery, possessing modern material and firing by platoons, can deliver twelve shots per minute. Orders should be given in advance for a certain number of shots to be fired at rapid firing as soon as the range is found, in order to heighten the normal effect produced by sudden heavy losses.

We have often expressed our opinion in regard to the value of such a rapid fire; it is permissible only when the range has been accurately determined, so that a further observation of the shots is unnecessary; but in that case a few shots (two volleys) will answer the purpose. However, it requires much time to get an accurate range, and it is more than probable that an opponent, who seeks merely a sufficient but quickly obtained effect, which he improves by making use of the observation of his shots, fired in a calm and deliberate manner, will cause us to retire before use can be made of rapid firing. Undoubtedly a result of this method will be the use of rapid fire before an accurate range has been found and consequently a waste of ammunition will follow. Above all, there will be created a restlessness among the cannoneers which will have a general bad effect and which will make it specially difficult to maintain a proper fire discipline, a state of affairs almost certain to bring about poor aiming.

Girardon is undoubtedly one of Langlois' adherents; this is thought on account of the views he entertains in regard to the gun of the future, which, he thinks, will be a light, quick firing, 75 mm. gun and which will fire at least six shots per minute and have no recoil. But he cares nothing for the "tir échelonné," the Langlois' firing method, which of necessity applies to such a gun; he even thinks that too much ammunition is used by the "tir progressif." On the other hand it may be remarked that nothing is said by simply designating a piece as a “light rapid firing gun of about 75 mm. (2.96-inch)caliber” for some guns of this caliber fire projectiles weighing 4.3 kg. (91⁄2 pounds),

while others use projectiles weighing 7 kg. (15 pounds). But the weight of the projectile, and not the caliber, is the decisive factor in the effect produced by a gun, which, be it remembered, is something very different from a small arm rifle.

-Militar Wochenblatt, No. 90, October 12th, 1895.

[Translated by Lieut. H. C. Schumm, 2d Artillery.]

The Grand Maneuvers of 1896-Germany.

This year there will again be grand (Kaiser) maneuvers, and these are to take place in a historic region, namely, between Bautzen and Görlitz, and will probably demand high requirements from those participating in them. On the one side will be the V and VI Corps under the command of Count Waldersee, on the other the XII (Saxon) Corps, composed of three divisions, to which will be joined the 8th division of the IV Corps, all under the command of Prince George of Saxony. In each army will be organized army staffs (a measure not carried out in 1895 for special reasons) who will retain charge of the conduct of affairs, so that changes in the command will not take place. It is reported that this is the Emperor's special wish.

-Allgemeine Militär-Zeitung, January 13, 1896.

ARTILLERY MATERIAL.

a. Guns and Carriages.

The new French Field Howitzer.

The material of the French field artillery has been increased by the addition of a new gun, for which a special drill regulations was issued by the Minister of War on the 28th of May last. The new gun, which was taken along in special heavy batteries in the maneuvers of last fall in the Monts Faucilles and attracted considerable attention there, is described in great detail in L'Avenir Militaire of the 10th of December, 1895, and that description is the basis of the following discussion on this new 120 mm. (4.7 inch) gun, which, by the way, has just been taken up in the new French drill regulations for field artillery.

The effect of a gun depends (among other things) on the weight of its projectile; for, if we leave out of consideration the velocity imparted to the projectile, its effect against living objects is directly dependent on the number of balls, in case of shrapnel, or on the number of fragments, in case of shell, which in their turn have a definite relation to the weight of the proiectile.

The weight of the new 120 mm. shell is 20.35 kg. (about 47 pounds), and is therefore about two and a half times as heavy as the ordinary shell of field guns. From this we might draw the conclusion that the new field gun surpasses the old one in the same ratio.

The two forms of projectile of the new gun, which has received the official designation of canon de 120 court, short 120 mm. gun, are a shrapnel M. 1891 (obus a balles) and a torpedo shell (obus allongé).

The shrapnel, M. 1891, has a bursting charge of 280 grams (4320 grains or 0.6 of a pound) of what is officially designated as F3 powder. The shrapnel contains 630 balls of hard lead, each of which weighs 12 grams (185 grains); this gives 7.56 kg. (16 Ħs.) effective weight, or 37% of the total weight of the projectile. This shrapnel acts on obstacles (inanimate objects) by its energy, and on troops by its fragments (including balls).