Dummy guns, of course, have played a large part, and have been responsible for the waste of a great deal of ammunition. They are placed where they can be observed by the aeroplanes, who promptly report their presence. It is said that at the Dardanelles the forts once opened fire on the battleship Queen Elizabeth. After a while they sank her—and her guns floated off! It is telling no secret now to say that many of the units in the British navy had duplicates constructed out of old vessels. Their business was to draw fire to themselves while other craft did the work. Hence the wooden guns. They served another purpose as well, for it was very difficult for spies to inform Germany where the real fighting ships were at any time.
In short, the whole business is to "get the enemy's goat." Keep him guessing. Wear him down with worrying. Break his nerve and spoil his sleep, that his physical resistance may be weakened. On the other hand, learn to estimate the intention on the enemy. Do not underrate him. In all cases and under all circumstances follow out the excellent motto of the Boy Scouts—
BE PREPARED.
Transcriber's Notes
Hyphen removed: "dugout" (p. xii, Figures 7-9), "loopholes" (p. 66).
p. 105: "and" changed to "an" (the only method of delivering an infantry attack).
p. 120: duplicate "to" removed (excellent practice to have strapped).