Handbook for Light Artillery

by A. B. Dyer

Salvos, or the fire by battery, may be used to find the range under circumstances that render it difficult to observe a single shot, to avoid the inconvenience of smoke, and occasionally, instead of rapid fire by piece, to take advantage of quickly passing opportunities.

The fire at will is only used in the defence of the guns at very short ranges.

The fire by piece from one flank of a battalion to the other may be used to avoid smoke, or to enable the field-officer commanding the battalion to take personal charge of the firing in order to find the range under difficult circumstances, or to regulate the fire in exceptional cases.

The fire by platoon is only used to facilitate the observation of fire under exceptional circumstances that permit two shots to be observed more easily than one, and also to increase the interval of time between successive discharges, to allow the smoke to drift away, without diminishing the amount of fire. In most cases the fire by piece or by battery is preferable to it.

Rapidity of Fire.—The rapidity of fire is dependent on the range, the circumstances of the action, the facilities for the observation of the fire, and the amount of unexpended ammunition.

Slow Fire is used at long ranges and for obtaining the range, and generally in the commencement of the action and during the artillery duel; it is also used in prolonged actions, and when the ammunition is running short. The interval between successive shots should not be less than 30 seconds, and may be slower.

Ordinary Fire is used when the fire is effective, but when the circumstances of the action do not demand a rapid fire. It is at the rate of 1 shot every 20 seconds, or, in a six-gun battery, 6 rounds in 2 minutes.

Rapid Fire.—The rate is about one round in 7 seconds; it should be sufficient to enable the effect of a shot to be observed before firing the next one.

The range being accurately known, it is used: when the enemy's batteries are coming into action; when there is a very favorable target; when a rush is made to pass a defile; when covering the advance of one's own artillery; when the decisive infantry attack is about to take place; when the advance is checked during a critical situation; when the opportunity to fire is very fleeting; at short ranges.