CHAPTER VII
A CAVALRY BRIGADE IN ACTION
In a cavalry attack the first objects are:—
1. To give the guns a good field of fire against the enemy’s attacking squadrons for as long as possible. This thought comes first, and the first order is accordingly that which puts the horse artillery in motion.
2. To keep our attacking squadrons from view of the enemy till the last moment.[29]
3. To make the line of direction of the cavalry attack such that it and the line of the artillery fire meet approximately at right angles on the mass of the enemy’s squadrons advancing to the attack, as already explained in the chapter on flank attack.
In order to attain a good field of fire for the guns it is often worth while to send two squadrons (not necessarily from the same regiment) to work towards the enemy en bondes, as the French expression is. For example (see [Diagram V].), “A” squadron Carbineers pushes on half a mile or so (never more than a mile) and gets into any likely artillery position.
