The chronicle=news., 1915-01-19

Russian Artillery Efficient
in Defensive Fighting
Cologne.-R Russian artillery has
proven an excellent arm in delens-
i've and position fighting, but has
totally failed in offensive and mobile
maneuvers, according to a German
expert who gives his views on the
subject in the most recent number
of the Woch enblatt. The
same authority comedies. however,
that the efficiency OF the Russian
artillery has been greatly increased
since the Manchurian war. He also
admits that in the German army Rus
sian artillery had been underratcd,
and indicates that now all of its weak
points are thoroughly understood.
The Germans think so highly OF
the Russian artillery ammunition
that they are at present modifying
some 200 field pieces at the Spandu
arsenal SO as to suit them for a large
store OF captured ammunition which
could not be used with the present
German calibre.
The calibre of the German field
gun is two Centimeters less than that
of the Russian and for this reason
the captured ammunition could not
be put to use Immediately. There is
stored in the German arscnals Il
large quantity of shells for the for
mer German field pieces. which had
u calibre about two rentimctcrs
greater than the Russian guns which
have been captured. BY widening
the rifling of the Russian pieces the
obsolete shells may now be used.
some zoo pieces taken by the Austro
Hunsarians are being similarly
adapted.
After pointing out that the Rus
slams have always had leaning
towards the defensive, the writer in
the Militair- -Woch henbIatt gives a
number of instances in the present
war in which this was demonstrated
Tie artillery positions had been Sc
lccted with the greatest care and
every possible effort had been made
to protect the pieces and their crews
At IyanSorod it was impossible for
thc Germans to find the Russian bat
tories without the most minute in
spection' with aircraft;
As rule the Russian emplacc- r
mcnts were well screened with bush
es. and where those were hard to find
with sod and often potato-Sreens. /
Wherever possible the Russians /.
would seek the cover of woods ana
trees, and often the batteries were
hidden in villages and the surround
ing gardens.
In placing their artillery, the Rus
SLAMS usually group the guns in half
batteries of four. This permits Gift
cicnt fire control and gives the obsor- |
walton officer far greater value
than he would have if directing the |
fire of single pieces
ficldglaSses which were taken |
from observation officers and others. |
as well as mass Of other purely
technical evidence. convinced the
writer that the equipment of the
Russian artillery reconnaissance is |
very inteiligently divided into small |
sectors, each of which contained no
less than IS points tpiaces which the |
shell is supposed to strikel.
During the first weeks of the war
The Russians increased the number
Hf their heavy field howitzers until |
each army corps had three batteries !
Of four pieces each. Before that
these heavy field howitzers were de-
tailed with the armies "a larger unit
than the army corpsl each army hay
ing from three to -four batteries.
After receiving number of per-
soinul experiences which left no
doubt as to the efficiency of the
Russian artillery field intelligence
service and fire control the officer
gives his views of the value OF tn"
Russian artillery in offensive or mo
bile maneuvers.
Where unknown terraina ana
sudden developments require quick
orientation The Russian ARTILLERY has
always failed completely says the
writer In all such cases the bat
teries shot wildly and without a syg-
,cm by which the field to be taken
under fire was to be divided. One
could hardly believe that it was the
same artillery. Even the serving OF
the pieces appeared different"
Usually the Russians have little
trouble moving their guns and am
munition wagons over the worst of
roads, and even thru swamps, atteste
the writer.