FIEL

No.

EDITED AT THE

ARMY WAR COLLEGE

WASHINGTON. D. C.

JUNE, 1917

WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, June 8, 1917.

The following Field ArtilleryNotes, No. 3, are information of all concerned. [2618449, A. G. O.] Order op the Secretary op War :
Official:

published for the

Major General, Acting Chief ofStaff.

TASKER H. BLISS,

H. P. McCAIN, The Adjutant General.

CONTENTS.
Page.

Abbreviations and equivalents Synopsis of two lectures at a British Artillery school

Map shooting Tactical employment of Artillery A British synopsis of operations of battery personnel in the
occupation of a position 9-12
Syllabi of courses at a British Artillery school 13-17
Latest British organization for supply of ammunition in the
17-19
field, March, 1917 Angle of site chart 20

6
7
7-8
8-9

ABBREVIATIONS AND EQUIVALENTS.

A.A A.S A. S. C B B.C B.C. A B L B S. M Anti-aircraft.
Angle of sight Army Service Corps. Battery. Battery commander. Battery commander, assistant. Battery leader Battery sergeant major. D. A.D. M.S..Deputy assistant director medical service. D. A.Q. M. G..Deputy assistant quartermaster general.

Site.

. .

Executive.

Director First line

wagons. G. O. C G.S.O I. M O. I.O. O M.G. R A M. V No. 1 O. P Order R. A R. O

Aiming circle.

Combat train.

General officer commanding.

General staff officer.
Inspector ordnance machinery. Issuing or inspection ordnance officer. Majorgeneral, Royal Artillery. Muzzle velocity.

Observation point
Royal Artillery.

Chief of section,
B. C. station. Command.
Platoon.

Reconnaissance officer.
Target.

Section
T T.M
Wagon line

Trench mortar.

Combat train Yards.

tion.

posi

SYNOPSIS OF TWO LECTURES AT A BRITISH ARTILLERY

SCHOOL.
Map Shooting.

1. Importance of subject for all branches.

Surprise and concentration the two factors that count in war.
Need for expertness, from which springs accuracy and quickness.
Sometimes B. C's job, sometimes B. L's, sometimes half each.
Make all arrangements before first round.
2. Divides itself into two cases (1) With observation; (2) Without observation. In (1) Range.
In (2) Search and sweep.
3. Inboth following preparations are necessary: (a) Locate battery. (b) Locate target. (c) Know M. V. and consequent gun corrections for range and line. (d) Know temp, charge. (c) Air. (f) Baro. (g) Wind (short remarks on this subject). (h) Lotting generally, fuzes, propellant, shell, and everything for uniformity. (Note :d, c, f same for any switch and should be kept separate from g.) 4. Next work out (a) Bearing B-T and switch, remembering wind. (b) Map range B-T. (c) Difference in height, inmeters, B-T and hence A. S. (d) Charge correction. (c) Air. (f) Baro. (g) Wind. 5. Collate d, e,f, g and add or subtract forrange. 6. While this collation is being done B. C. A. sends down A. S., deflection, method of fire, fuze, shell, propellant, charge. By this

FIELD ARTILLEKY NOTES, NO. 3.

time bracket is ready and goes down. B. L. converts latter in ac cordance with calibrated M. Vs. B. C. must not be bothered with calibrated results. 7. So far (1) and (2) the same. From this on (1) follows ordinary
lines. 8. With (2) before shooting you must (a) Verify your calculations by ranging on a datum point

with

observation.
(b) Study your map very carefully, particularly for slopes and shape of T. (c) Study your Range Table very carefully, particularly for 50 per cent zone, angle of descent, and 5/ alters elevation. (d) Make out a careful program of how you willuse your ammu nition to the best advantage, taking into consideration b and c and
the tactical situation.
EXAMPLE, 18-POUNDER.

3-a. 8A.17.a.80.80 b. TG.9.b.3.4. c. M.V. 11605, 2 1605, 3 1600, 4 1600, 5 1610, 6 1610. d. Charge temp. 40 F.
c.

Air temp. 50 F.

f. Baro. 29.6". g. Wind 48 east of true north 20 f. s., 10.50 20 048. h. Lots uniform.
4-a. Map switch 39 R. Wind switch. Zero line A.30.C.30.60.
b. Map range. BsT. 4550. Time of flight 12.55". c. Diff in height in meters=o .". L.S. 0. d. Temp, charge (effect of) 64*. c. Temp, air (effect of)-28*. f. Baro. (effect of)+10*. g. Wind resolved to 25 f.s. behind +B6X g. Wind resolved to 10 f.s. L. to R. 1(/ L. for wind. 5. Correction to range deduct 13 X .*. Bracket 47.4400. 6. C.R. gun corrections add 50s 8. Verify on zero. Ist, ordinary; 2nd, gas. Concentrate on 3-15.
Everything correct.
8. Allotment 200 gas. 8 rounds per gun, gunfire at irregular inter vals throughout day, i. c., on 4 occasions.

billets, bivouacs, and large columns one can be content with registering a zone and sweeping an area.

1. Accuracy. (a) Against

Tactical

Employment of Artillery.

FIELD ARTILLERY NOTES, NO. 3.

(6) AgaiDst batteries one works to closer limits. (c) Against front-line trenches and in barrage work absolute accu racy is essential. 2. Surprise. Range on and register datum points. 3. Concentration ofeffort is necessary. In order to achieve it you must have sufficient tactical knowledge to be firm in sticking to your main objective and not be led into side issues. 4. The main objective is First phase, the hostile trenches, for all field guns and howitzers and heavy siege howitzers (6" and 9.2" howitzers) (part of the time). Approaches and billets, for heavy guns. The hostile artillery, for super-heavy siege howitzers and heavy siege howitzers (part of the time). Second phase, hostile counter-attacks, i.c., protection of our infantry fromhostile infantry, field guns, and howitzers. Approaches, billets, and troops massing, heavy guns. Hostile artillery, siege howitzers. 5. Baiyages must be kept absolutely close down in front of our infantry. This is vital. 6. Foresight, work, and the offensive spirit are all equally essential to insure the correct tactical employment of artillery as outlined above.

A BRITISH SYNOPSIS OF THE OPERATIONS OF BATTERY PERSONNEL IN THE OCCUPATION OF A POSITION.

The
Occupation

of

a Position.

(1) On receipt of orders the B. C.'s procedure is as follows (a) Read orders carefully. (6) Study map. (c) While doing above send for officers, Nos. 1, etc. (2) Itis very important that as many people as possible should be " told the situation first hand. For this purpose the order "Orders should be passed down the battery; on this order the following at once fall out dismounted to the B. C, leaving their horses with their horseholders: Captain, B. Q. M. S., farrier, corporal shoeing smith, section commanders and Nos. 1. Whole battery staff and all signalers. (3) Itis of great importance that this powwow is held in a place clear of the road and that while itis going on, as always, the road is kept clear.
104077 17
2

10

FIELD ARTILLERY NOTES, NO. 3.

At this powwow the B.C. willgive the following information: Probable position of battery. His probable route to it. Probable best line of advance for the battery. How far the B. L. is to bring the battery without further orders or information; also pace at which battery should move. (c) Probable position of 0. P.
(/) Method of establishing communicatioi: from battery to O. P.
Inshort all possible information that he can give as to probabili ties from a study of the map. t (5) The B.C. willhen go on to reconnoiter; he willtake withhim the following: Reconnoitering officer, reconnoitering officer's di rector man, two horseholders, who should be signalers. (6) About 200 yards behind the B. C. will come the captain,

(4) (a) (b) (c) (d)

B. Q. M.S., and one horseholder. come the rest of the bat (7) Another 200 yards further back will tery staff, marching as a formed body, under command of the B. S. M. This staff will consist of the followingand march in the fol lowing order:
Battery sergeant major Telephonist (with wire). Horseholder wire).
Signalers.

telephonist

(witii

B. C.'s director man.

Signaler.

B. C.'s groom or horseholder. (8) As soon as the B. C. leaves the battery the B. L.is responsible for the following: (a) Keeping touch between B. C. and battery this he does by first, all mounted men with battery Nos. 1, coverers, stringing out etc.; and secondly, dismounted men. (b) Preparation for action. (c) Reconnaissance of line of advance for the battery, very likely different to that of B. C. ' (d) Keeping touch between himself and battery while he is
away.

Horseholder lookout man. Horseholder signalers. Horseholder signaler. R. O.s groom or horseholder.

(c) The pace of the battery, ic., that the battery gets to the position at the exact right moment, neither before nor after the position is ready for the battery. (/) Protection of the battery. (9) The B. C. must first of all select the gun position. That is the important place.

FIELD ARTILLERY NOTES, NO. 3.

11

(10) Next he sends the telephonists off in the direction of his probable O. P., laying wire. (11) Next he personally selects and marks the site for each indi vidual gun. This is vitally necessary ifthe position is at allcramped or difficult. In an open position or a simple one to occupy the B.C. would only arrange to have the center of flanks ofthe position clearly marked. (12) 9, 10, and 11 must be done by B. C. He then goes off to select O. P., taking with him B. S. M. and rest of staff and over taking telephonists en route. (13) R. O. now sends back to battery leader to bring battery on. (14) R. O. next tells his director man (a) Coordinates of position on map. (b) Coordinates on map of zero line. (c) Aiming point. R. O. then leaves director man to work out angles forlines of fire. (15) R. O. next goes back and leads battery into position sending B. L. on to superintend director man. (16) It is important that R. O. should lead battery into position as he has seen the position and knows line of approach and all details. IfB. L. does this it is only a case of swopping horses in midstream, which leads to delay and confusion. (17) As soon as the battery is in action the B. L. (or senior sub altern) reports to B. C. all guns on zero line (stating what it is if B. 0. does not already know) and lowest range to clear the crest. (18) As soon as the gun position is marked the captain and B. Q. M. S. go off to select the wagon line. (19) As soon as this is roughly selected the Q. M. S. goes back to the gun position and leads the teams back to the captain. The latter forms up the teams. He also arranges for the protection of the

wagon

line.

(20) The corporal shoeing smith, who rides at the head of the battery in the advance, remains in the gun line answering for the captain until relieved. He is responsible for establishing commu nication with the wagon line and for replenishment of ammunition and replacing casualties. (21) The farrier is in charge of the first line wagons. These are separated from the firing battery at "prepare for action." They march as a formed body in rear of the firing battery; the distance Varies according to circumstances but should not exceed 800 x (22) The first-line wagons go straight to the wagon line.

12

MELD ARTILLERY NOTES, NO. 3.

(23) Normally the captain should be in the wagon line, particu larly if there is any danger of it coming under fire. There must always be one member of his staff in the gun line. (24) It is of very great importance that alternative wagon lines should be selected at once and communicated to allconcerned ;also the routes to them and to the gun position. (25) The captain is also responsible for the selection of the position of assembly and the communication of this information to all con cerned. (26) In case of a retirement the procedure is as follows: (a) B. C. receives and explains orders as in1, 2, 3, and 4 above. (b) The captain then goes back to select the position, taking with him the B. C. 's party as in 5 above. (27) Before leaving to reconnoiter the captain is responsible that satisfactory arrangements are made so that full wagons are left for the firing battery. He takes with him, or orders to follow close behind him, the newly made and comparatively empty first-line wagons. These he arranges to refillfor the occupation of the new position. (28) It is of the utmost importance that the B.C. remain with the firingbattery itself throughout the retirement. On arrival near the new position the captain meets the 8.C., explains alldetails to him, and leads the battery into the position. The B.C. then takes over. (29) In details the procedure is identically the same as for an advance except that the captain performs the reconnaissance duties

of the B.C.

FIELD ARTXLLEKY NOTES, NO. 3.

>us o.

13

courses at a British

arti, xry si

:00,

SIEGE (6 WEEKS). Hours illotted.

Subject.

Officers. N.C. Os.

Discipline*

Marching and saluting drill Physical training lecture 1 Physical training (one-fourth hour each day) Shouting drill testStanding and X gun drill (including stripping and sight test ing) Battery gun drill Battery drillorders drillorders Battery organization

4 10 1 10 2 20 6 5 1 5 10 6 1 4 2 12 5 8 25 1 12 3 2 1 1 1 7 15 5 1 3 4 1 2 1 6 2
2

4 10 1 10 2 36 6 5 1 6 16 9 1 5 5 6 15

Map-reading lectures
Map reading Gunnery lectures

Lines of firelecture Directors Reconnaissance lectures Reconnaissance Observation of fire lectures Ranging lectures (includingline of observation) Ranging (includingline of observation )
Map shooting

Schemes Duties generally Interior economy

lecture

Inspections Packing March discipline Building Repository Ammunition (I.O. O.) 1 (D. Ammunition supplyl A. Q. M. G.)1 Telephones (signals)

Registration
; Aeroplanes (R. A.liaison officer) 1 Aeroplane photos l A.A. work (A. A.adviser) 1 Trench artillery (visit to T.M.School) l Employment of artillery (M. G. R. A.)1 Infantry tactics (G. O C. infantry school) x Administration (A.Q. M. G.) 1 General staff (G. S. O.) 1 A. S. C. supplies (supply officer) 1 Medical services (D. A.p.M. S.) 1 1 Gas and gas shell (chemical adviser) Care of equipment (I.O. M.)1 l Work of survey section (maps) l Work of meteorological section

Calibration
Slide rules Gun rules

9 2 2 1 1 1 7 17 5 1 4
2 1

3 3 1 1 1 1 2 5
2

10 2 2 3 3 1 1 1 2 5 2 3 1
3 236

Discussions Examination
Total

3 1 3 3
236

Includes outside lecturers.

14

FIELD ARTILLERY NOTES, NO. 3.

Syllabus

of courses

at a British artillery school

< kmtinuei
Hours allotted.

FIELD AND HEAVY (6 WEEKS).

Subject.

Officers. N.C. Os.

Discipline Marching and saluting drill Physical training and lecture Shouting drill Drivingdrilllecture drilllecture Driving drill(dismounted) Driving drill(without vehicles) Battery leading lecture Standing and X gun drill Battery gun drill

Section drillorder drillorder Battery drillorder Schemes Ranging lecture Observation of fire lecture Map shooting lecture
Battery organization Ranging

Gunnery lecture Map reading lecture Map reading

Directors
Shoeing

Reconnaissance lecture Reconnaissance Stable management March discipline

Interior economy Inspections Packing Duties generally

Harness

Calibration Discussion Examination Slide rules

Aeroplanes Aeroplanes Veterinary Telephones

Meteor i Anti-aircraft l
i

photos

i General staff l Ammunition i Buildingi

lecture

Ammunition supply Administration i.... Medical services i. Gas and gas shell i Care of equipment i Survey section work Employment of artillery i Infantry tactics i A.S. C. suppliesi

Trench

artillery i

4 8 11 2 1 4 10 1 16 6 10 5 9 3 1 1 1 25 5 3 5 10 I 2 11 3 2 1 2 2 1 2 3 4 3 3 4 1 2 2 9 2 3 1 5 5 3 1 1 2 5 2 3 3 1 1 236

10 11 1 4 10 1
37

18

1 1 1

16
3

2 2 3

i
8 2 4 1 5 5 3 1

3 3 1 1

Total
i Includes

outside lecturers.

FIELD AB.TILLEKY NOTES, NO. 3.

>us

15

'or 4

wee, ks

course

or

\j

>s.

heavy.

Field and

Siege.

Discipline

Marching and saluting drill Physical training Shouting drill Driving-drillecture lecture l DriviDgdrilldismounted Drivingdrill(skeleton)

Battery-leading lecture
Battery gun drill Battery drillorder drillorder Ranging lecture Ranging Map shooting lecture Gunnery lecture

Gun drill Schemes

Section drillorder drillorder

Directors

Map reading
Shooing

Map-reading lecture

.>

Horse management March discipline Harness Interior economy

Inspections Packing Building Aeroplanes Telephones

Ammunition
Riding drill Gas and gas shell Care of equipment

Sanitation

Examination Lines-of-fire lecture

Observation-of-f.re lecture Duties generally Repository Calibration

Registration

Slide rules Gun rules Total

Hours. Hours. 3 3 7 7 6 6 2 2 1 3 8 1 24 24 4 3 10 5 2 5 8 3 6 10 12 1 1 7 5 4 6 5 5 10 10 3 2 i 1 3 2 2 1 1 3 1 3 6 7 7 4 4 2 2 1i 1 4 5 5 1 3 3 1 2 2 15 4 1 2
1

162

162

16

FIELD ARTILLERY NOTES, NO. 3.

Syllabus for 4 weeks' course

for young officers

Field
heavy.

and

Siege.

generally. Discipline Marching and saluting drill

Physical training Shouting drill Driving drilllecture. Drivingdrill dismounted Drivingdrill (skeleton) Battery leading lecture.

Duties

Hours.
4 6 3 1

lljvts. 2 4 4

4 3

.*

"

Gun drill. Battery gun drill . Section drillorder Battery drillorder

Schemes.

Ranging lecture Ranging

""

'_

6 10 3 16

5 5 6

10 3 3

o 8

Map shooting lecture Battery organization. Gunnery lecture.

Observation of firelecture

1 1

6 16

2 1 2

Lines of fire.
Directors .

Map reading lecture Map reading.

Reconnaissance lecture . Reconnaissance.

Horse management .

Repository.
Shoeing.

4 4 10

5 1
9

3
15 1 3 2 1 3 1 2 1 1 1 4 1 3 2 6 in 4
]

March discipline
Harness
Interior economy

Inspections
Packing

Law.
Calibration.

1
4 2 2

Registration. Employment of Artillery Building

Slide rules. The offensive.

Telephones

3
3 1 2 1 4 1 5 2 8 1 2

Aeroplanes

Meteor .

8 4

Ammunition Riding drill.

Sanitation

2 1

Gas and gas shell .

Care of equipment .
Early morning stables .
Duties of section commander Examination . Total.

Survey section work.

1 5
2 1 170

171

FIELD ARTILLERY NOTES, NO. 3.

17

Syllabus

for 2 weeks'

course

for officers.
Field and
heavy.
Siege.

Discipline Marching and saluting drill Physical training

Hours. 2 3 10 1 1 1 3 4 2 3 1 1 1 2 1 1 4 2 3 6 2 1
3

Hours.

Ran ginglecture

Schemes

! 4

Ranging Map shooting lecture Gunnery lecture

Map reading lecture

Map reading

Directors

2 2
2 2
3 4 4
4 4
10 10
1 1
2
1 1

Reconnaissance lecture Reconnaissance

Horse management
Shoeing

3 3
4 2 4

Inspections
Slide rules

March discipline Harness Law 'Ja libratiqn

Building Registration

i
l l 4 1 1
2 2
3 3
6 6
2 2
1 1

3 3

>

A.mmunition Care of equipment Examination

Total

Aeroplanes

67

67

LATEST BRITISH ORGANIZATION FOR SUPPLY OF AM MUNITION INTHE FIELD (MARCH, 1917).
1. The old organization for the supply of ammunition in the field by means of brigade ammunition columns and a divisional ammu nition column was designed to meet the requirements of a division acting independently, so that the division might be self-supporting. Owing to the necesity for massing far more troops on a given front and the consequent increase in depth of our present organization, the corps has now become the unit for marching and fighting. A corps, consisting of two or more divisions, must accommodate itself on a front little greater than that formerly allotted to a division, and may have to move along one road. The density of troops on a given front automatically creates an accumulation of ammunition, and, by the system of "pooling," a considerable reduction may be made in the number of rounds per gun carried with the fighting formations.

18

FIELD ARTILLERY NOTES, NO. 3.

objects

The organization has therefore been introduced with the new

(a) Of pooling the ammunition carried under corps control and thereby reducing the number of rounds per gun to be carried. (6) Of effecting a saving in personnel, horses and vehicles. (c) Of reducing the road space occupied by a division.
(<2) The experience of the earlier part of the war showed the
necessity for separating brigade ammunition columns from their brigades and concentrating them under one central control. 2. A further change has recently been made in the organization of the divisional artillery to meet the requirements on an offensive front. One brigade of field artillery has been withdrawn from each division, and these brigades have been regrouped to form "army field artillery brigades." The divisional artillery will therefore consist of two field artillery brigades, each brigade having three 6-gun 18-pounder batteries and one 6-gun 4.5-inch howitzer battery. The army field artillery brigades will consist of three 6-gun 18 pounder batteries and one 6-gun 4.5-inch howitzer battery, or four 6-gun 18-pounder batteries. These brigades will be available to reinforce the artillery on any offensive front as may be required. 3. Organization of the divisional ammunition column. The brigade ammunition columns as such have been abolished for divisional artillery, and the divisional ammunition columns have been recon structed into two echelons. "A"echelon. Divided into two sections. It consists of one ammunition wagon for each gun and howitzer in the division, and S.A.A. carts, etc., to carry the same quantities ofrifle and machinegun ammunition and grenades as were formerly carried by the brigade columns. The sections are equally divided, the number of vehicles to each section is the same, and they contain the same per centage of gun, howitzer, and S.A. ammunition. il B "echelon. Has one section. It consists of some of the G. S. wagons which formerly carried gun and howitzer ammunition in the old divisional ammunition column, and G. S. wagons to carry the same amount of S. A.and machine-gun ammunition and grenades as was formerly carried by the divisional ammunition column. 4 Organization of the brigade ammunition column. To each brigade of the army field artillery willbe allotted a brigade ammunition column. Itwill consist of one ammunition wagon for each gun and howitzer in the brigade, witha proportion of G. S. wagons for baggage, stores, etc.

FIELD ARTILLERY NOTES, NO. 3.

19

5. The new divisional ammunition column is directly under the divisional artillery commander, and forms an integral part of the divisional artillery. Itmay stillbe drawn upon as a first reserve for the batteries in men, horses, and material in an emergency. It willnormally march with the division; but when several divi sions are marching on one road, it may be necessary to withdraw the "B"echelons, and concentrate them in rear under corps control. " " The A echelons always accompany their divisions, and will sually u march in rear of all the batteries. The divisional ammunition col umn commander willremain with the "A"echelon. Inaction, the divisional ammunition column will sually be con u centrated, but, when the wagon lines are a long way from the guns, wagons from the "A"echelon may be attached to the batteries to assist in taking up ammunition. Ifthe ammunition park is a long way inrear, itmay be necessary " " " to keep back the "B echelon, and push up the A echelon, but b thi^case will e the exception rather than the rule. The normal position of the divisional ammunition column com mander in action will e where he can best control the supply of b ammunition. The normal chain of supply of ammunition will e from the subb park (which has now been transferred from lines of communication to corps control) to the "B"echelon, and thence to any section of the "A"echelon. 6. Inthe case of the army field artillerybrigades, the normal chain of supply of ammunition willbe from the subpark direct to the brigade ammunition column. 7. As the new organization has reduced the number of rounds carried indivisional charge, itis essential that the column be looked upon as a pool from which ammunition can be drawn by any unit. It not intended that certain sections of the "A echelons should be is affiliated to certain artillery brigades, but the organization is elastic, and permits of the detachment of such an amount of ammunition as may be considered necessary for a specific task.

"

20

FIELD ARTILLERY NOTES, NO. 3.

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