Omaha daily bee., 1915-02-14
RUSSIAN EFFICIENCY GROWS
Cars Artillery Excellent for De-
fensive, but Poor for Often
sive, Says German.
CAPTURED AMMUNITION USED


Correspondence Of the Associated Press)
COLOGNE, Feb. 1a-Russisn artillery
has proven an excellent arm IN defensive
and position fighting. but has totally
failed in offensive and mobile maneuvers.
according TO q German expert who gives
his views on the subject in the most re-
cent number Of the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
The same authority comedies. however,
that the efficisncy OF the Russian artil-
lery had been greatly increased since the
Manchurian war. He also admits that
in the German army Russian artillery
had been underrateda and indicates that
now all OF its weak points arc thoroughly
understood.
The Germans think % hiRhly 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 cap
tured ammunition could not be put to use
Immediately. There lie stored in the Ger
man arsenals a large quantity OF shells
for the former German field pieces, which
had calibre about two centimeters
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 100 pieces
taken by the Austro-H ungarians are be-
inc similarly adapted.
Russians Prefer Defensive.
After pointing out that the Russians
have always had q leaning toward the
defensive, the writer in the Militair-
woohenblatt gives a number Of Instances
in the present war In which this was
demonstrated. The artillery positions
had been selected with the greatest care
and every possible effort had been made
TO protect the pieces and their crews.
At Ivangorod It was impossible for the
Germans to find the Russian batteries
without the most minute inspection with
aircraft
As rule the Russian EMBELLISHMENTS
were well screened with bushes, end,
where those were hard to find. with sod
and often potato-greens. wherever pos
sible the Russians would seek the cover
OF woods and trees, and often the bat
teries were hidden In villages and the
surrounding gardens.
In placing their artillery the Russians
usually group the guns in half-batterieS
of four. This permits efficient fire con-
troll and gives the observation officer q
far greater value than he would have II
directing tho fire of single pieces.
Fieldglasses which were taken from OBJ
servation officers and others. as well as
q mass Of other purely technical evil
dence. convinced the writer that the
equipment of the Russian artillery re-
connaissance Is very intelligently divided
into small sectors. each Of which con-
tanned no less than forty-eight points
places which the shell is supposed to
strike). gee f'4
More Big Guns.
During the first weeks OF the war the
Russians increased the number OF their
heavy field howitzers. until each army
corps had three batteries Of nour pieces
each. Before that these heavy field
howitzers were detailed with the armies
q larger unit than the army oorpe). each
army having from three to four batteries.
After reoiting a number Of pervonal
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 the Russian artillery. In offensive or
mobile maneuverB. .,., ..e.
Where unknown terrainA and sudden
developments require quick orientaton
the Russian artillery has always failed
completely" says the writer. I'm all
such cases the batteries shot Wildly and
without q system by which the field to
be taken under fire was 70 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 ammunition wag-
ons over the worst of roads. and even
through swamps. attestsd the writer.