SUSTAINED SHELL-FIRE

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2722, 17 March 1916, Page 6

SUSTAINED SHELL-FIRE

EFFECT ON INFANTRY. "Long and continuously intense loja» bardmeute _ with higk explosives teeai in a certain sense to defeat their owa object," writes the Austrian war correspondent, Hugh Schnlz ; in an 3rtic.le oa the effect of artillery in modern battles, which the London "Standard" has trans, lated and printed. "Experience points to the conclusion that persistent artillery fire carried out by heavy guns produces an effect exactly opposite to the one desired," the writer says, "and that troops which can stand the strain of such a bombardment are in an excellent condition to withstand the ensuring infantry assaults for which the enemy artillery, has prepared with such thoroughness. This may sound curious, but an investigation of the circumstances offers an easy explanation. 1 "To men who have been undergoing for hours the strain l of heavy artillery fire the infantry attack -which follows is an absolute relief., The cessation of the artillery fire is 60 welcome to them that they rejoice to be able to get to close grips with the enemy infantry. After oeuig obliged to lie helpless so' long it is an agreeable change to be able to fight a visible foe; almost every, soldier exclaims to himself. "Thank Heaven, they nro coming at last.' Then, ho hurls himself against- the enemy infantry with a veritable ardour of hate, which has been tremendously stimulated by the artillery fire to wl ich he haa been subjected. Thus, the infantry attack which follows an intensive bombardment ceases to be something to be feared and dreaded; on the contrary, it is indeed a real relief, and enables the men to repel it, with all ihe energy, whioh they can display at their best moments.' This depends, of course, on tho ability to stand the nerve strain of the preceding artillery fire, but experh er.co shows that- men of all armies can and do come through tho ordeal with unshaken eourago."