the field artillery journal - Fort Sill - U.S. Army

CURRENT FIELD ARTILLERY NOTES
High lying shrapnel fire clears out tall timber at the edge of the
woods.
Repulsing cavalry attacks: Open fire as early as 800 paces. Retreat
arranged in small units alongside one another. Security of flanks.
MACHINE GUN DETACHMENTS
Rapid occupation of the position, intrench, dummy works.
Digging tools for each man, always provide head and side cover.
Sticking it out is better than a meaningless withdrawal. In case of final
retreat one gun at a time.
Choice of fire position. Keep away from objects and corners of
woods, also avoid setting up in small clumps of woods. Guns at least 50
paces apart and not the same distance to the front.
Fire and ammunition echelon, the latter to be in open ground at least
1000 paces to the rear.
Support at least one infantry platoon, which also furnishes
connection to the rear echelons.
Tactical employment: In attack, first of all, on a flank with cover, single
guns on a broad front, advance successively using the ground skillfully.
Best results at 1000 paces, a closer advance brings too many casualties.
In consequence of their accuracy of fire and effectiveness it becomes
in a measure the duty of machine guns to supervise the field of combat
in front and on the flanks.
Where there is no field of fire and, finally, at night, machine guns
with the reserve.
CAVALRY
Accustom the horses to camp in the open and to field forage.
Require fewer rapid gaits as compared with long quiet movements
from place to place.
For the rider especially training in the use of fire arms is essential.
Horsemen must be drilled to fight on foot and, therefore, to entrench
rapidly.
Charges are of no importance.
Be careful in pursuit of hostile horsemen on account of fire
surprises.
ARTILLERY
Careful preparation and skillful use of ground. When possible
concentric and flanking fire.
Field howitzers very useful against covers in spite of lesser ranges,
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