The Training of Artillery.

Manawatu Herald, 23 November 1899, Page 3

The Training of Artillery.

A very noticeable feature in the telegrams we have received abont the Boer war is the success which has attended the operations of our artillery and the small results obtained by that of the Boers. The more detailed accounts just received confirm this. The one published by us yesterday states that "the Boers had dragged the cannon on this commanding position (i.e., Itnpati Hill) in order to open the bombardment of the town. The shells which fell in the encampment did no harm." Then later on the' same telegram recounts how " the ridge of Dundee Hill was now white with the smoke of bursting shells and the accuracy of the British fire must have entirely upset the plans of the Boers, who were not long after see.n removing their guns from the hill." Thus a conflict between the British and Boer field artillery appears to place the former in a position of great superiority, and the Boers' siege guns seem to meet no better success than their field guns. The account of the bombardment of Ladysmith told us that as the result of some days' firing '•one Kaffir was killed," and similarly at Kimberley, which they have surrounded "in great force with heavy artillery," the bombardment is reported as " harmless." To what, then, are we to attribute 1 this difference in results which is so satisfactory to ourselves ? It cannot be in the materiel, for the Boer guns are jnst as good as the Engish, and far more numerous, as they have been importing the best Krupp and La Crenzot could supply for two years, one telegram stating 300 as the number actually in stock, whereas the British have probably not had mote than 50 in Natal altogether. We are inclined to place our success in the field entirely to the superior training our men received. An infantry soldier, if he is of the right stuft, can be made in a very short time ; the amount of drill required is comparatively small, and the expense of ammunition in teaching him to use his weapon with effect is an unimportant item. But to make a good artilleryman is a different matter. First he must learn everything that the infantry soldier does, and in addition most of the force have to be taught to ride, while after that comes the duty of learning how to manipulate the complicated machine science has placed in his hands. On joining, the artillery soldier is first known as a " recruit." and goes through a course of recruit's drill, which is laid down as of 130 and 56 days' duration in field and garrison artillery respectively. On completion of his course the recruit is returned for " duty " but his training continues ; when returned for duty he ceases to be a recruit and passes in the category as a " j'oung soldier." As such he is instructed in all the subjects of the drillbooks during one year; during this period he is borne on a special roster for duty, and performs it at times when his instruction would be least compromised. Now the ordinary Boer gunners can never have a preliminary training like this before they are ! allowed to be considered as efficient, I and it must be remembered that what we have described is only preliminary ; the actual practical part of working the guns effectively in the field comes after, and centinues throughout the soldier's service. This is, we believe, the secret of the different results obtained by the same arm in the two opposing armies, and if correct must accord the greatest satisfaction to those who have insisted on the importance of this long and careful training. But although this explanation may do well enough for the field operations it does not explain why the Boer siege guns have so little effect. This, however, may be placed to the credit of the Royal Engineers, who have no doubt employed the ample time afforded them in constructing bombproof cover for the defenders. It is a very easy thing to make .1 place safe from artillery fire, provided the time and means are available, as no doubt they have been at Ladysmith and Kimberley. A trench is. dug about four to six feet deep and six feet. wide. In this is built a wooden shelter, of which the roof is very strongly constructed ; on this roof is thrown the earth obtained fnm the trench supplemented fr-"»m a ditch in front, i.e., towards the enemy. This earth is so arranged that men can easily fire over the top. Now, when an artillery bombardment takes place, the :.n r intry simply remain safely "tucked-up" in their shelter, and when the hostile infantry advance to

the attack the defenders' line it 2 pirapet, '..hich has probdbly been but little damaged by the art'! !?♦•_/ unless worked by very able gunners. Th : s is, no doubt, what is happening at LadyF~»ith and Kimberley, aud unless the Boers have the pluck to advance over the open to assault the field-works, we need not have much anxiety .vs to the injury which can be done the gallant defenders by artillery fire. — H.B. Herald.