n can be proceeded with at once; but the individual exercises
must be continued throughout the whole year if knowledge of them is to
pass over into the flesh and blood of the men.

Special importance is to be attached to field firing, and for this in
particular far more ammunition must be provided. In this most
important respect Cavalry must be put on precisely the same footing as
the Infantry, and be able to practise at real service targets exactly
like the latter. But these exercises must not be begun until the men
are thoroughly at home in judging distance and aiming, the class
shooting is at an end, and the tactical training of the squadron
completed.

In aiming practices, low targets, representing men lying down, or
well-covered shooting lines at great distances, are to be preferred;
but in field firing the targets should be so disposed as to make the
typical cases it is desired to represent, in which Cavalry will
generally have to employ their firearms on service, sufficiently clear
to the men's understanding--such, for instance, as the following:

1. Attack of an occupied position.--Fire opens according to ground at
1,100 to 1,200 yards; gradual advances by rushes to decisive
distances, which, with modern weapons and in open country, may be put
at 700 to 900 yards. Development of the principal fire effort at this
range, and beating down of the enemy's return fire. After attainment
of the fire superiority, rapid advance by rushes, and in larger
bodies. These rushes must be covered by the fire of those still lying
down, until the point for the commencement of their assault is
reached. Meanwhile, advance of the last Reserves, also by rushes, to
the last fire position to give the final impulse for assault; assault;
pursuit by fire. The strongest development possible of concentric fire
consistent with the retention of adequate reserves to carry forward
the fighting line.

2. Defence of a position.--(_a_) Obstinate defence; object not to let
the assailant come too close; hence from 1,100 yards a considerable
development of fire power; continuation of the fight at decisive
range, and, according to the result, either pursuit by fire or rapid
evacuation of the position with ultimate sacrifice of the rearguard to
be formed by the last reserve. (_b_) Defence without the intention of
standing fast, either to gain time or compel the enemy to deploy.
Hence, principal fire effort between 1,000 and 1,300 yards, and then
gra