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 Russo-Japanese War, the majority of the machine guns will support the advance of the infantry. They are especially effective in keeping down the defenders' fire during the last stage of the attack when the artillery is no longer able to fire over the heads of the infantry.

13. On the defensive it is advisable that a considerable number of machine guns should he held in reserve, especially with a view to preventing any unexpected turning movements, repelling assaults, delivering counter-attacks, and in case of such reinforcing any threatened points in the line of defence. In fortified positions machine guns may be usefully employed in front of the position to force the enemy to deploy prematurely. His artillery as it comes into action will frequently offer very suitable targets. The majority of machine guns, however, will be placed in the line of defence (or at least immediately in rear of the sections to which they are allotted) as soon as the direction of the enemy's attack has been ascertained. This presence in the front line will make it possible to reduce the number of men actually in that line and will thus economise troops.

14. In the pursuit machine guns will be especially effective against the flanks and rear of the retiring enemy. Again, in covering a retirement and checking the enemy's pursuit, machine guns with cavalry and artillery will delay the enemy's advance and enable their own infantry to break away. In this case the first