THE COAST ARTILLERY JOURNAL - Air Defense Artillery

202 THE COAST ARTILLERY JOURNAL
(a) We are again reminded that one must "first catch his rabbit." Concealment
is the first essential to success. In furtherance of this consideration,
and bearing in mind that a battery destroyed is of no value, is it not logical to
conserve that value by suspending action during the presence of the attack
planes and thus avoid disclosing the position? If the attackers remain in the
vicinity, returning again and again to the attack, such a course need not be considered,
since the position is evidently known. In this case the battery should
remain in action against the most important target present, whether the attacking
planes themselvesor another formation. The case of a formation of attack
planes passing by in such a manner that there is little likelihood of hitting them
with the guns, or when more important targets are aloft, may be regarded
differently. Would it not serve the mission of continued defense best to lie
"doggo" during the few seconds the attacking planes are passing and then
resume activities? There are many pros and equally many cons. The answer
should be found through extensivemaneuvers.
(b) Avoid surprise. In siting the battery careful consideration must be
given possible lines of approach for attack planes, and their ability to appear
suddenly from over the trees or over a hill nullified. Where it is essential that
a position near hills or trees be taken, then outpost listeners and outpost
machine guns are vital. It has been stated, for example, that defilade from the
enemy observation posts is necessary. The top of the hill forming the desired
defilade must be the site of one of the battery machine-gun posts. Surprise is
no less excusable in antiaircraft troops than in any other.
(c) The machine-gun training and organization must not be entirely
subordinated to the gun training and organization. The machine gun is considered
as secondary armament when assigned to the gun battery. Its importance
should be equal to that of the guns for through the machine gun the guns
will be enabled to continue their normal functions and the machine guns are
forming a part of the entire defense schemewhile they are protecting the guns.
The strength and accuracy of the machine-gun defense.of the guns should be
such that attack planes cannot operate against the gun battery without very
heavy losses. Note that the machine guns, dug down into their snug little holes,
are as nearly immune from damage as a firing element may be. In the light
of the new attitude of airmen toward the antiaircraft gun, it is not unreasonable
to double the number of machine guns assigned to each gun battery. We must
guarantee the permanence of the gun in position for the benefit of the entire
personnel and materic:lof the corps.
Before passing from the question of permanence and, of air action, it is
desired to mention a possible form of air defense for the protection of the
bombardment plane. It has been suggested that the perfection of smoke of the
same weight as air and of the apparatus for laying the smoke from a plane
has added another means for guarding the bombardment plane. It is proposed
to lay screens of smoke between the gun batteries and the planes to be protected.
Naturally, if the screens are properly placed, this would form an
effective protection, for the batteries are not now prepared to fire at unseen