for one shot fired, the hits are in order 0.27-0.28 0.1 0.5 and 0.17; for a hundred weight of metai, 2.25-1.2-0.511.2 and 0.42. The work of the 15 cm. (5.9 in.) mortar is in this last case as good as the firing of No. 2, in spite of the fact the mortar fired only shell. That shrapnel is effective against such concealed targets some examples that are given further on will amply prove.

We will now give the effect of the projectiles in the above trials against the material. The following numbers give the relative value of the destructive effect on the material, of these five firings in order; corresponding to one projectile fired, o.1— 0.23— 0.125-4.5 1.0; for one hundred weight of metal, the relative values are, 0.9— 1.02— 0.66— and 2.4. 9.9 Here the shell fired with percussion fuze naturally is more effective than the shrapnel. A further comparative trial in Russia again shows the superiority of curved fire over horizontal fire against concealed targets.

In the above table it is not stated against what angle of fall the standing and sitting targets were protected, we cannot therefore draw any certain conclusions respecting the power of the two kinds of firing. The test seems to indicate however that the mortars firing shell are very nearly equal in effect to the guns. firing shrapnel.

About ten years ago, Krupp made some experimental tests of 12 cm. (4.72 in.) field howitzer and 15 cm. (5.9 in.) field mortar fire. The target was one used for testing siege guns, and consisted of a sunken battery for six guns. Two of these last (numbered 5 and 6) were in a row at right angles to the line of fire, the other four were in a row at an angle of 45° with the first

two. The object of this disposition was to compare frontal and half lateral fire in attacking a position. In the test we now speak of, only shrapnel was used. The targets for the most part were protected against only very small angles of fall; such targets as had protection against an angle as much as 22° showed little damage; none of the targets were protected against an angle of fall as great as 30°. Corrections were also made on thebasis of observations on the target, which of course could not at all be done in war; moreover the results of the shrapnel with 16 g. and 26 g. bullets are combined. The guns had each 7 targets representing cannoneers. The parapet was 2 m. (61⁄2 ft.) high, and at its foot stood some targets 1.8 m. (5.9 ft.) high, which were protected against an angle of fall of 221⁄2° (how many of these is not stated). The targets representing the men at the guns were protected against an angle of fall of 9° or 10°. Of the targets at the four guns oblique to the line of fire (numbered I to 4), those targets up against the parapet were protected against 15°, the foremost targets representing the cannoneers, at guns No. 1, 2 and 3, were protected against an angle of fall of 9° or 10°. Numbers 1 and 6 of the guns being on the flanks were the least shot at, in order to increase the probability of hitting. The record was divided thus, (a) number of cannoneers hit, (b) total number of hits in these targets, (c) hits in the vicinity (between the men and four yards back), (d) hits in the targets at the foot of the parapet. The height and horizontal distance of the point of bursting is measured from the interior crest of the front parapet.

I. 12 cm. (4.72 in.) howitzer. Weight of shrapnel 16.3 to 16.6 kg. (35.9-36.5 lbs.). Contents, 460 hard lead bullets of 16 g., or 285 bullets of 26 g. Bursting charge, 200-215 g. (7 to 8 oz.). Initial velocity with 0.5 kg. (1.1 lb.) of coarse grained powder (mm.), was 140 m. (460 ft.); with 0.6 kg. (1.32 lb.) powder, initial velocity was 161 m. (528 ft.); with 1 kg. (2.2 lb.) powder, 225 m. (738 ft.); with 1.5 kg. (3.3 lb.) powder, 290 m. (950 ft.).

If we add the numbers opposite a and d for each charge, we find for the 0.5 kg. (1.1 b.) loading at 1500 m. for the five shots. 43 Cannoneers and 29 of the infantry at the parapet were hit; for the 1.0 kg. (2.2 fb.) charge at same range and for same number of shots, 40 cannoneers and 21 infantry were hit. Summing up the total number of bullets striking within the limits of the battery, we find 197 for the 0.5 kg. charge, and 164 for the 1.0 kg. charge. It is to be observed that the cannoneers at the siege battery here used as a target are crowded together in half the space the men of a field battery would occupy. The effect of each shot was increased by this.

With the 0.6 kg. (1.32 lb.) charge at 1980 m. range for 6 shots, 46 cannoneers and 24 infantry at the parapets were hit; for the 1.0 kg. (2.2 tb.) charge for 4 shots 27 cannoneers but no infantry were hit. In the entire space of the battery there fell 255 bullets in the first case, and 215 in the second and one gun was disabled.

II. The 15 cm. (5.9 in.) mortar. The shrapnel weighed 31.55 to 31.75 kg. (69 to 70 lbs.), containing 500 hard lead balls of 26 g. weight. The bursting charge was between 310 and 410 g. ; initial velocity for 0.75 kg. (1.65 lb.) charge was 135 m. (445 ft.) 1.0 kg. (2.2) lbs.), 163 m. (534 ft.).

Firing at 1500 m. with the 15 cm. mortar.