Text Book of Fortification and Military Engineering Volume 1; For Use at the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1878 Excerpt: ... the principal lines of attack. Shelter trenches, with obstacles in front if possible, supply the place of walls, (Sec., when such do not exist, or do not happen to be favourably situated. If the front be an extended one, much flanking power may be obtained by small earthen redans, lunettes, or sunken caponiers (Fig. 4, PI. XXX) placed in front of the first line, and generally so as to close a main thoroughfare. These works are also of great service in the event of an intended sortie from the village. During the artillery fire preceding the attack, and while the attacking infantry is yet out of effective range of small arms, it will be desirable to keep the shooting line well covered; in trenches they will be very fairly so, but behind walls it will be often necessary to provide either field-casemates (para. 123) or deep shelter trenches; a few sentries left on the front line will watch the advance. It is not advisable, though it may be necessary, to place guns in the shooting line, on account of liability to capture and frequent diffmilty of retreat from a much exposed position. Rather should they be on the flanks, somewhat retired, throwing a cross fire on the field of attack and commanding the roads (Fig. 1, PI. XXXVIII), or on high ground in rear. A portion of the shooting line must be as usual told off as supports, their duty being to make good losses, and to help in driving out the enemy in case of partial penetration of the first line. Their numbers need hardly ever exceed half of the front line; they must be covered from fire either in the field-casemates or deep trenches before mentioned; or behind, or in, buildings close at hand, when this can be done with safety. Support. Troops in an ordinary house are not safe under artillery fire, unless in ce...