THE MODERN BATTLE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 83, 3 September 1914, Page 7

THE MODERN BATTLE.

STRATEGY AND TACTICS,

THE FACTORS OF SUCCESS,

Decisive success in battle can be gained only by a vigorous offensive. Superior numbers on the battlefield are an undoubted advantage, but skill, better •rgamsation and training, and, above all, a firmer determination in all ranks to conquer at any cost, are the chief tnotors of success.

Half-heai'tod measures never attain success m war and toe* 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 ocour between opposing protective troops covering the movements of the main forces benind them . By this time the independent cavalry will probably have completed its strategical reconnaissance and gamed information, on which the com-mander-in-chief 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.

When the commander-in-ohicf has decided to accept battle, the various columns will be directed towards the area in which they are to act. The principles iipon which the troops are ed 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 his army in two. and may give great and far-reaching results. The long range, accuracy and rapidity of lire of modern weapons reduce the chances of success of swell an attack; while failure may result in the attacking force being enveloped and destroy ed. It will usually be wiser to direct the decisive effort against one of the enemy's flanks; or, if in very superior strength, jif both the enemy's Hanks.

THE ATTACK.

It is seldom cither possible or desirable to attempt to overwhelm an enemy everywhere. The object will usually be to 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 this attack, by attracting the enemy's attention, holding him to his ground, and wearing down his power of resistance. The object of artillery lire is to help the infantry to maintain its mobility and offensive power. Artillery commanders should keep in touch with the infantry commanders whose attack tlicv are supporting. The advance of the firing line must he characterised by the determination to press forward at all costs. All leaders, down to those of the smallest units, must endeavor to apply at all stages of the fight the principle of mutual support. The attack 011 each tactical point will constitute a distinct engagement 111 itself, and may require a large number of men and guns. Thus the attack more often than not will resolve itself into a scries of engagements, each ranging round a different locality.

TIIE DECISIVE ATTACK.

The development of the battle should enable the commander to make up bis mind when and where to deliver the decisive attack. The general • reserve will be moved into position as secretly as possible, like launching of the general reserve 31 the attack will be the signal for the application of the greatest 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 that tho greater the difficulties of the infantry the more fully should the lire power of the artillery be developed. As the infantry advances to the decisive attack, every effort should be made to bring a converging artillery lire on its immediate objective, and lire will be continued until it is impossible for the artillery to distinguish between its own and the enemy's infantry. The. danger from shells bursting short is more tlwn 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 (ire, and re-form in readiness either to follow up the retreating enemy or to repel an attempt to retake the position.