Of close co-operation by the horse artillery in the charges of cavalry against infantry there is practically little or no trace in the battles of 1870. The training of cavalry and horse artillery and the organization of the cavalry division had not proceeded on these lines, as is evident from the fact that there is no mention of it in books such as Von Schmidt before that war, or in Prince Kraft’s Letters on Cavalry after it. The latter writer shows that the tendency was to deprive the cavalry division of its horse artillery when a battle took place, and put it with the corps4 artillery. It was claimed that by so doing the horse artillery were practically of double use.
The batteries remain as a rule with the corps artillery. If the cavalry division is sent forward, they are attached to it. If a battle takes place during which the cavalry division is held in reserve, then the horse artillery becomes again a part of the corps artillery and considerably5 augments6 its fire. The horse artillery of the Guards corps was thus employed in 1870.
109 For a cavalry division which takes part in a great battle does not require any horse artillery. It is held at first in reserve.
If it is called upon to attack it is obliged to make use of an opportunity of charging broken troops of the enemy. There is thus no need to break up its enemy with artillery fire, and there is, besides, no time to do so.
Compare with the above the 1907 amendments7 to the German Exerzier Reglement für die Kavallerie 1895, No. 375:
In a general engagement the batteries and machine guns told off to the cavalry will remain with them, because they are indispensable to the cavalry in the fulfilment of their special duties during, and particularly after, the battle.
The cavalry leader must, however, judge whether the general position does not rather demand the employment of his batteries in co-operation with the rest of the artillery. The horse artillery and machine guns will be of the greatest use in a general engagement when the cavalry are operating against the enemy’s flanks and rear. Their sudden appearance from a flank or from the rear is certain to produce a strong moral effect on the enemy.
There could scarcely be a greater volte face than is indicated by these two extracts.
Further, what we read of the use of masses of cavalry at the present date, in both the German and French man?uvres, leads us to the conclusion that their cavalry and horse artillery will be kept together in a general engagement and used for the sledge-hammer blow on both shaken and unshaken infantry.
110 The reader should study some of the instances given in Colonel Maude’s book, Cavalry: Its Past and Future, chaps. xi. and xii., of the charges by cavalry on infantry in the 1870 war, and picture to himself what would have been the results if these charges had been preluded8 by even five minutes’ gun fire of one battery of modern horse artillery, say 350 accurately9 placed shells, containing in all 83,600 projectiles10.
A conclusion early arrived at in the consideration of the r?le of the three arms on the modern battlefield is that no artillery and infantry force, however strong, can afford to enter upon a battle unless their flanks are protected by natural obstacles or by masses of cavalry. But battles, except where we adopt the defensive11, are not fought where natural obstacles cover our flank. Therefore, we must have sufficient cavalry if only to neutralize12 the enemy’s cavalry, otherwise they will work round our flank and attack our reserves, and, if they are accompanied by horse artillery, whilst our horse and field artillery is already engaged in the great battle, they possess a marked advantage over us.
The latest instance of the need of cavalry and horse artillery is furnished by Captain Spaits, who himself went through the retreat with the Russians after Mukden, in his book, With Cossacks through Manchuria.
He “and many others who realized the panic-stricken frame of mind of the masses of men who were pouring back without arms and without111 discipline” are of opinion that a “couple of good cavalry divisions, energetically led and provided with artillery and machine guns, could have turned the retreat into a complete annihilation of the army.”
The above inference is obvious when one considers the impression made on the flying troops by a few hundred indifferent horsemen.55
Having, it is hoped, to the reader’s satisfaction, demonstrated that cavalry with horse artillery have a great r?le on the battlefield against infantry, if (i.) the conditions are favourable13, (ii.) the attack is à propos, and (iii.) properly supported by horse artillery and machine-gun fire, we turn to the form which the attack against infantry should take. Cavalry Training indicates that it should be made in a succession of lines; and it may be added that it is of the highest importance that these attacks should not be made without sufficient preliminary reconnaissance on the part of the cavalry leader accompanied by the commander of his artillery, and that subsequently the action of the infantry should be decided14 upon in conjunction with the infantry commander in that portion of the field.
That the infantry should not stand open-mouthed, but should press in at the right moment, is of the highest importance. As far as the troops are concerned, the formation is a simple one; but there are two points which demand forethought and arrangement. The first is the best position for112 the supporting fire; the second is the rallying-point. In these circumstances it appears best to have in one’s mind an ideal, as a guide, and endeavour in the actual fight to approximate to it—and we may turn to the memoirs15 of Napoleon for the solution. He says: “A flanking battery which strikes and rakes the enemy obliquely16 is capable of deciding victory in itself.”
The ideal then appears to be: “A,” when the fire effect is delivered at right angles to the direction of the successive lines of cavalry; and “B,” when the rallying-point is fixed17 on the flank away from the general engagement and under cover from the enemy’s fire; “C,” when we utilize18 surprise. It is usually in the return from such enterprises after rallying that nine-tenths of the loss takes place. A good instance is that of Michel’s brigade at the battle of Woerth; see page 203, Maude’s Cavalry: Its Past and Future.
Suddenly the wreck19 of the ten squadrons of Michel’s Brigade, now making the best of their way back at full speed, but still preserving some attempt at formation, appeared right in rear of the Prussians. The latter at once wheeled troops about and charged at full gallop20 from the halt. Owing to the suddenness of the attack there was no time to deploy21, though the outer troops attempted to gallop up into line; but the shock was sufficient to discomfort22 the French. There was a short mêlée, and then the Prussians, promptly23 rallying, swept up the debris24 of the French, and brought in some sixty prisoners and many riderless horses. The prompt resolution to attack and the rapid rally both deserve very high commendation.
113 Many writers of recent date, and especially those who are impressed with an exaggerated idea of the accuracy of rifle fire, those, in fact, of the De Bloch School, are under the impression that cavalry will not charge infantry. It is probable that, never having ridden in a force of cavalry passing through a fire-swept zone, they are unaware25 how much simpler it is than the attack on cavalry or artillery, and how much less resolution is needed.
In the case of cavalry there is the apparently26 inevitable27 concussion28 which is seen to be nearing; in the former a few men or horses drop almost unnoticed by their comrades, but most of them “carry on” for a long way after being hit. As the enemy are reached, the desire for slaughter29 overrides30 all other thoughts; cavalry should then be taught to go straight on, taking with the point what comes to them and riding their horses at speed in the direction of the rallying-point.
An example of the “counter-attack by a cavalry division on hostile infantry in order to gain time for reserves to come up” is given in General Sir D. Haig’s 2nd Cavalry Staff Ride, p. 40:
The problem here presented is one of considerably more danger and difficulty than that of completing the rout31 of beaten troops and reaping the fruits of victory. The enemy’s infantry, far from having lost their moral, are pressing victoriously32 to the attack, and, though the leading echelons33 may have sustained heavy losses from the fire of the defence, there are troops in reserve and support which retain their cohesion34 and steadiness. The responsibility for114 ordering an attack of this nature ... rests with the commander-in-chief. Against such an objective it is useless to send regiments35 at the gallop. It is necessary to (1) prepare the attack, concentrate the means for it, and bring a converging36 fire of guns, machine guns, and infantry upon the objective; (2) make a definite plan. This must be based on what can be seen of the enemy and his position, the use of ground, the most opportune37 moment; (3) dispose the troops methodically by the execution of the plan, and assign to them, if possible, their objectives; (4) give the signal for the attack at the right moment.
In the Manual of Infantry Training, 1905, under “Formations Applicable to Savage38 Warfare39,” is found S. No. 118, which contains an instruction for “Meeting an Attack by Cavalry or Swordsmen.”
When a battalion40 in line is threatened by cavalry or swordsmen in force, it may sometimes be desirable to dress back the threatened flank and to dress up the unmenaced flank, the battalion commander giving the command, “Back, No. ——, up, No. ——.”
Such a formation if adopted in ordinary warfare against cavalry would favour the fire of artillery and machine guns, if the latter are placed at right angles to the attack as indicated above.
May, writing in 1896, Guns and Cavalry, says:
True, there may be opportunities when cavalry and horse artillery moving rapidly, even during the progress of a great battle, may anticipate the foe41 at some decisive point, and may make or prevent a telling flank movement. But for such occasions special arrangements could no doubt be115 made as the exigencies42 of the moment might dictate43, and we need not legislate44 for them beforehand.
It is evident from the German regulations quoted above that they have no intention of trusting to the “Special arrangements” for “Exigencies.”
Their reasons no doubt are somewhat as follows:
1st. Horse artillery is an integral part of the cavalry.
2nd. Attacks on unshaken infantry depend upon horse artillery for such a preparation as will speedily reduce infantry to shaken infantry.
3rd. In order to get freedom of man?uvre for our squadrons to a flank, cavalry are bound to meet an enemy’s cavalry force, possibly belonging to an enemy whose cavalry does not leave its horse artillery behind with the corps artillery in a great general engagement.
On which side wins will depend the subsequent course of events on that flank.
4th. A cavalry force of three regiments and one battery of horse artillery is quite equal, or more than equal, to one of four regiments without horse artillery.
Having in view the above consideration, cavalry should not be prepared to forgo45 their horse artillery in a great general engagement, since it foredooms them to the inaction of the French and German cavalry divisions of the war of 1870, or perhaps to their comparative failure and losses, when, unsupported by horse artillery fire, they attacked infantry columns to cover the retreat of their own infantry.
116 Special arrangements of this kind are not made, and we know also, too well, that “No man can serve two masters.”
The latest German regulations appear, therefore, to have been formulated46 on sound reasoning.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
cavalry
|
|
| n.骑兵；轻装甲部队 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
artillery
|
|
| n.(军)火炮，大炮；炮兵(部队) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
infantry
|
|
| n.[总称]步兵(部队) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
corps
|
|
| n.(通信等兵种的)部队；(同类作的)一组 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
considerably
|
|
| adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
augments
|
|
| 增加，提高，扩大( augment的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
amendments
|
|
| （法律、文件的）改动( amendment的名词复数 )； 修正案； 修改； （美国宪法的）修正案 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
preluded
|
|
| v.为…作序，开头（prelude的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
accurately
|
|
| adv.准确地，精确地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
projectiles
|
|
| n.抛射体( projectile的名词复数 )；（炮弹、子弹等）射弹，（火箭等）自动推进的武器 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
defensive
|
|
| adj.防御的；防卫的；防守的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
neutralize
|
|
| v.使失效、抵消，使中和 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
favourable
|
|
| adj.赞成的，称赞的，有利的，良好的，顺利的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
decided
|
|
| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
memoirs
|
|
| n.回忆录；回忆录传( mem,自oir的名词复数) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
obliquely
|
|
| adv.斜； 倾斜； 间接； 不光明正大 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
fixed
|
|
| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
utilize
|
|
| vt.使用，利用 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
wreck
|
|
| n.失事，遇难；沉船；vt.(船等)失事，遇难 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
gallop
|
|
| v./n.(马或骑马等)飞奔；飞速发展 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
deploy
|
|
| v.（军）散开成战斗队形，布置，展开 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
discomfort
|
|
| n.不舒服，不安，难过，困难，不方便 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
promptly
|
|
| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
debris
|
|
| n.瓦砾堆，废墟，碎片 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
unaware
|
|
| a.不知道的，未意识到的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
apparently
|
|
| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
inevitable
|
|
| adj.不可避免的，必然发生的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
concussion
|
|
| n.脑震荡；震动 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
slaughter
|
|
| n.屠杀，屠宰；vt.屠杀，宰杀 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
overrides
|
|
| 越控( override的第三人称单数 )； （以权力）否决； 优先于； 比…更重要 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
rout
|
|
| n.溃退，溃败；v.击溃，打垮 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
victoriously
|
|
| adv.获胜地，胜利地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
echelons
|
|
| n.（机构中的）等级，阶层( echelon的名词复数 )；（军舰、士兵、飞机等的）梯形编队 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
cohesion
|
|
| n.团结，凝结力 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
regiments
|
|
| （军队的）团( regiment的名词复数 )； 大量的人或物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
converging
|
|
| adj.收敛[缩]的，会聚的，趋同的v.（线条、运动的物体等）会于一点( converge的现在分词 )；（趋于）相似或相同；人或车辆汇集；聚集 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
opportune
|
|
| adj.合适的，适当的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
savage
|
|
| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
warfare
|
|
| n.战争(状态)；斗争；冲突 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
battalion
|
|
| n.营；部队；大队(的人) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
foe
|
|
| n.敌人，仇敌 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
exigencies
|
|
| n.急切需要 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
dictate
|
|
| v.口授；(使)听写；指令，指示，命令 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
legislate
|
|
| vt.制定法律；n.法规，律例；立法 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
forgo
|
|
| v.放弃，抛弃 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
formulated
|
|
| v.构想出( formulate的过去式和过去分词 )；规划；确切地阐述；用公式表示 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |