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

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THE FIELD ARTILLERY JOURNAL Guns and howitzers are now able to work from positions which are well concealed either by cover or by distance. A great improvement in optical instruments has on the other hand tended to make it easier to locate targets from a distance, so that more concealment for the guns must be sought. Then too another dimension has been Introduced into warfare by the wonderful development of aeroplanes, dirigibles and balloons. The introduction of the third dimension has necessitated the screening of batteries against overhead observation. It has not brought out much in the way of actual overhead protection, since projectiles dropped from swiftly moving aeroplanes have trajectories not unlike those of howitzers, but with a little steeper angle of fall. If a battery can be brought (during fire for adjustment by its opponent), under the observation of an observer provided with means of communicating his observations to the adjusting battery, a definite and limited area to be battered will soon be determined and the target will be in great danger of annihilation. It therefore becomes of greatest importance to conceal a battery against observation from the enemy's most advanced trenches, from high observing points or from overhead. As a corollary to this it becomes the duty of artillery observers to seek advance observing stations and coöperation of the flying corps. In order to provide intelligently against being observed from aeroplanes we should consider the point of view of the aerial observer. It should be remembered that the anti-aircraft guns have now forced such observers up to a height of from 5000 to 7000 feet, so that the things they must depend upon seeing are such as are visible to them at a distance of one mile or more. For example, four gun sections exactly aligned mark out on the ground a straight line from sixty to one hundred yards long which at once attracts attention on ordinary terrain, where natural straight lines are usually wanting. It would then seem advisable 44
CONCEALMENT AND PROTECTION FROM ARTILLERY FIRE for a battery in the open to avoid exact alignment, having due regard to its own field of fire. Similarly exact intervals should be avoided. Experienced observers know how visible are even the straight tops of the shields of a gun and caisson at ranges of 3000 or 4000 yards. These straight lines can be broken up by fastening small branches with leaves on them to the wheels and tops of shields. Brilliant points on the matériel should be avoided—to permit them would be to give information to the enemy. The flashes of guns especially at dawn or twilight would disclose the presence of a battery. As the flashes cannot be avoided it would be well to use discretion about firing at those hours if the guns are under observation by hostile aircraft or from advanced trenches. In dry weather the dust raised by the blast of discharge is often conspicuous. Pains should be taken to suppress it by wetting the ground, by use of paulins or by other suitable means. Where a battery is in one position for a prolonged period it may be practicable to use crude oil for this purpose. If water is scarce it will sometimes be possible to construct brush mats to cover the ground under the muzzles. The mats will themselves suppress the dust for awhile but if water is obtainable the ground under the mats should be wet also, the mats helping to retain the moisture. The color of the mats should blend with that of the ground or they should not be used. Motion of the cannoneers as they serve the guns and of other personnel about the battery readily attracts attention. It may be necessary on approach of a hostile aeroplane to suspend firing and require everyone to remain immobile. Occasionally it will be possible to get a position in the edge of a wood, thus concealing the battery from overhead observation. Such a position has disadvantages, however, due to other considerations. An appliance for getting artificial overhead screening is used in the Royal Field Artillery of England. It consists of 45
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THE FIELD ARTILLERY JOURNAL Volume
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OLD FORT SILL FROM NEW ANGLE THIS P
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Page 27 and 28: Motor Transport for Field Artillery
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Page 31 and 32: MOTOR TRANSPORT FOR FIELD ARTILLERY
Page 33 and 34: FIG. 3.—POWER-OPERATED WINCH WITH
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Page 41 and 42: FIG. 11.—RAPID TOWING WITH AN AUT
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Page 71 and 72: In the Field BY GERALD E. GRIFFIN,
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Page 75 and 76: IN THE FIELD 4 ounces sweet spirits
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SUPPLEMENTAL NOTES ON LOST MOTION e
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TRANSPORTATION BY MOTOR TRUCK It is
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TRANSPORTATION BY MOTOR TRUCK them
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TRANSPORTATION BY MOTOR TRUCK all o
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RECONNAISSANCE OF BATTALION POSITIO
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FIG. 1.—NEAR WHEEL HORSE FIG. 2.
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THE FIELD ARTILLERY JOURNAL box (Fi
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THE FIELD ARTILLERY JOURNAL of fund
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THE FIELD ARTILLERY JOURNAL In usin
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THE FIELD ARTILLERY JOURNAL been fo
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THE FIELD ARTILLERY JOURNAL Strive
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THE FIELD ARTILLERY JOURNAL therefo
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EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT Appreciation T
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THE FIELD ARTILLERY JOURNAL retains
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THE FIELD ARTILLERY JOURNAL Certain
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THE FIELD ARTILLERY JOURNAL control
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BOOK REVIEWS EMPIRE AND ARMAMENT. T
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THE FIELD ARTILLERY JOURNAL etc. Th
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THE FIELD ARTILLERY JOURNAL WEST PO
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Index to Current Field Artillery Li
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THE FIELD ARTILLERY JOURNAL Guns—
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Exchanges LOANED TO MEMBERS ON REQU
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THE FIELD ARTILLERY JOURNAL FIELD A
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BATTERY E, NEW YORK CITY Capt. John
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BATTERY A, INDIANAPOLIS Capt. Gavin
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NINTH INSPECTION DISTRICT Lieut. Em
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