The employment of quick-firing field
artillery in combat
|
|
|
With
the introduction of the 75mm Mle 1897 quick-firing
field gun, the French Artillery adopted a new system of fire-discipline
intended to utilise the power of the new gun in the fullest possible manner.
This system was adopted, in principle, by most of
the Armies, which had rearmed with quick-firing guns, and exerted a marked
influence even upon the regulations of those nations that did not adopt it,
such as Germany, Russia, Austria and Great Britain. The Bulgarian Инструкция за употреблението
на полската
скорострелна
артилерия
въ боя
(Instructions for the employment of the field artillery in combat)
published in 1905 was basically a translation of the corresponding section (Titre V. L’artillerie
dans le combat) of the French Règlement de manoeuvre de l’artillerie
de campagne published on 8 June 1903. Compared
with the texts published previously, the main novelty of these Instructions was the abolition of the
artillery duel that until then was regarded as a
distinct phase of the combat. The expression itself артилерийски двубой
was replaced by a more generic one, артилерийски
борба/бой, i.e. artillery combat. Previously
the first concern of artillery was to silence or at least to weaken the fire
of the enemy artillery in order to make possible the infantry attack. Now it
should only ease the movement of its infantry and support the decisive
assault with its fire, engaging several artillery combats against the enemy
artillery. Characteristics of the
artillery. The main
trait of the quick-firing field artillery is its rapidity of action,
resulting from the high speed and the power of its fire and from the
possibility of opening fire suddenly. The power and
the rapidity of its fire is able to produce a crushing effect on the enemy
troops, making very difficult to move the units in close order in open field.
On the other hand, field artillery in a short time can destroy common
obstacles like walls, buildings or trenches, making impossible for the
defender to stay behind them. Clearly defined targets must be
chosen, prioritising the most dangerous ones and those that hinder the
advance of the infantry. Basic principles about the employment of the artillery
in general. During the battle, the task of the artillery depends
entirely on the tasks assigned to the infantry. It never must leave infantry
without support. It starts the combat, prepares secondary and decisive
attacks, and supports them with its fire. Therefore, the heads of the
artillery must know the principles of the employment of infantry. From the beginning of the combat,
the artillery must make every effort and employ every means to overwhelm the
fire of the enemy artillery. The elements for its
success are : the number of the batteries ready to
open the fire; opening fire simultaneously and suddenly; the possibility of concentrating the fire and the unity of command. Opening
fire at great ranges must be avoided; the correct
range is 2 to In
combat artillery can be deployed : – in
fighting position (война позиция),
with guns unlimbered and ready to open fire as promptly as possible upon the
indicated targets – the position can be open, masked or covered; – in
observation position (наблюдателна
позиция),
with guns unlimbered and all preparations made for opening fire at the
desired moment upon the existing or expected targets – this position must be
covered from the sight of the enemy; – in awaiting position (очаквателна
позиция),
with gun not unlimbered and the riders dismounted, held under cover near a
position for possible immediate action, but so that they can be moved quickly
to another place if the development of the tactical situation so requires. As a rule, the whole artillery must
be ready to open fire, but at the beginning of the combat only the number of batteries necessary
to assure the prompt and effective accomplishment of the task assigned to the
artillery must occupy the position. The others must remain in observation or in awaiting positions, ready
to fire against new targets, as
soon as they are discovered, or to
intensify the fire. When the enemy situation is not clear, a greater number
of batteries is left in awaiting position. If possible, changing target must be avoided; a
distinct part of the artillery must be set for firing to each target, or
every artillery division must have assigned a sector, where it has to fire at
all the targets. To fire at a front every 300 m one quick-firing field
battery is required, while against the artillery it must be employed at least
as many batteries as the enemy has in the firing line. Usually
at the beginning of the battle, the artillery shoots to the enemy artillery, firing at first at the batteries whose fire
was more bothering or at those that can be destroyed
easily. The fire is distributed uniformly throughout
the front or concentrates in succession on different areas.
If the situation of the fighting allows it, part of the artillery fire can be directed also against the enemy infantry. As a
rule, it must fire at the most vulnerable units, so at great and medium
ranges it usually fires at units in close order, while at short range it fires
at the shooting troops, and only after having made them inoffensive, to the
reserve or supporting troops. Against cavalry at great ranges artillery fires
only at great masses of troops, while to repel a cavalry attack it opens a
rapid fire, shelling the whole attacking line and paying close attention to
its flanks. If possible, artillery must fire also at the high enemy
headquarters or at observation balloons. A
battery can be sent to occupy detached positions
with a view of drawing the enemy’s fire and leading him to disclose his
positions and strength. On a wide front, this battery fires from a concealed
emplacement at the probable position of the enemy, while the remaining
batteries stand in observation or in awaiting position, ready to fire as soon
as the enemy comes out. However, this device can be only a fruitless waste of
ammunition. The best way to provoke the enemy fire is the advance of the
infantry. In action, when many batteries are assembled in order to operate en masse, the senior
heads of the artillery take the direction of them jointly. When the artillery
is subdivided among the fighting units, the
unification is not carried out. During the combat, the highest-ranking
artillery officer assumes the command. Every head of infantry and
cavalry, from battalion and squadron commander upwards, must fulfil the
requests of the artillery commander concerning the protection of the
artillery units. As a rule, a battalion is required to cover an artillery
brigade, 2 companies for an artillery division and a company for a battery.
The covering troops stand 300-800 m in front of the artillery and at its
sides. |