THE MODERN BATTLE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1293, 5 September 1914, Page 4

THE MODERN BATTLE.

STRATEGY AND TACTICS. Decisive success in battle can be gained only by a vigorous offensive (whites a military expert). Superior numbers on tbe battlefield are an undoubted advantage, but skill, better organisation and training, and, above all, a firmer determination in all ranks to conquer at any cost, are the chief factors of success. Half - hearted measures never attain success in war, and lack of determination is the most fruitful source of defeat. An army advances to battle covered by its advanced guards and by the protective cavalry. At this stage collisions may be expected to occur between the opposing protective troops covering the movements of the main forces behind them. By this time the independent cavalry will probably have completed its strategical reconnaissance and gained information, on which tbe commander-in-chiet has based his plan of operations, and should usually be available to assist in defeating the hostile advanced troops and hampering the enemy’s main columns. The defeat of the hostile advanced troops is only a means towards the subsequent destruction of the enemy’s main force on the battlefield.

Deployment For Action. Whan the commander-in-chief has decided to accept battle, the various columns will be directed towards the area in which they are to act. The principles upon which the troops are disposed will depend upon the commander’s plans. The first object of a commander is to develop superiority of fire as a preparation for the delivery of a decisive blow. A decisive attack against some portion of the enemy’s front offers a possibility of breaking bis army in two, and may give great and far-reaching results. The long range, accuracy, and rapidity of fire of modern weapons reduce Ihe chances of success of such an attack, while failure may result in the attacking force being enveloped and de stroyed. It will usually be wiser to direct the decisive effort against one of the enemy’s flanks ; or, in very superior strength, of both the enemy's flanks. The Attack. It is seldom either possible or desirable to attempt to overwhelm an enemy everywhere. The object will usually be 10 concentrate as large a force as possible against one decisive point to deliver the decisive attack., while the remainder is employed to prepare the way for the attack, by attracting the enemy’s attention, holding him to his ground, and wearing down his power of resistance. The object of artillery fire is to help the infantry to maintain its mobility and offensive power. Artillery commanders should keep in touch with the infantry commanders whose attack they are supporting. The advance of the firing line must be characterised by the determination to press forward at all costs. All leaders, down to those of the smallest units, must endeavour to apply at all stages of the fight the principle of mutual support. The attack on each tactical point will constitute a distinct engagement in itself, and may require a large number of men and guns. Thus the attack more often than not will resolve itselt into a series of engagements each raging round a different locality. The Decisive Attack. The development of the battle should enable the commander to make up his mind when and where to deliver the decisive attack. The general reserve will be moved into position as secretly as possible. The launching of the general reserve in the attack will be the signal for the application of the greatest possible pressure against the enemy’s whole front; every man, horse and gun, whether belonging to the general reserve or not, must co operate in completing the enemy’s overthrow. As the crisis of the battle approaches, and the enemy becomes morally and physically exhausted, the chances of successful cavalry action increase, The principle of the employment of artillery in the battle is tnat the greater the diffi-

culties of the infantry the more fully should the fire power of the artillery be developed. As the infantry advances to the decisive attack every effort should be made to bring a converging artillery fire on its immediate objective, and fire will be continued until it is impossible for the artillery to distinguish between its own and the enemy’s infantry. Tbe danger from shells bursting short is more than compensated for by the support afforded. The climax of the infantry attack is the assault, which is made possible by superiority of fire. After a successful assault the infantry should occupy the position that has been seized, pursue the enemy with its fire, and re-form in readiness either to follow up the retreating enemy or to repel an attempt to retake the position.