Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1898 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER VII. THE CO-OPERATION OF INFANTRY AND ARTILLERY. If in this chapter I approach a well-worn theme which has been written about and spoken of unceasingly since the war of 1870, it is because a doubt as to how best to attack a foe in position seems still lurking everywhere, and that opinion, as regards the last phases of an attack, with no recent great war to solidify it, is still largely in a state of flux. During the last few months discussion has been more than usually active. In France General le Joindre has just written "Tir de Combat Individuel et Collectif," a book dealing with battle formations and fire tactics. In Germany numerous articles in military papers betray uncertainty, which the newest books on tactical matters scarcely allay. In our own country we have had Colonel Hime's most carefully thought-out and valuable paper on "Infantry fire formations "; while last, but not least, many must have read with interest the little pamphlet on "Preparatory Battle Formations " by MajorGeneral Bengough. The few works I have named, out of many, are but examples of an astonishing activity of thought, which is even more strongly evidenced in the articles and letters that flood our military magazines and papers. Yet no one will admit that the last word has yet been said. It is not in fact possible to attain finality, nor desirable that we should do so, because the conditions of the problem keep varying as armaments are improved, and the circumstances of the moment must in any case have an altogether predominant voice before anything in the nature of a scheme is formed. But if in abstract discussions certain signs of doubt and uncertainty are visible, nothing of the sort appears when modern tactics are exhibited in concrete form at...
