Page:Tactics (Balck 1915).djvu/195

 11. THE OBSERVATION OF THE FIRE.

The actions of the enemy are usually the only reliable indication of the location of the sheaf of fire directed against him; the observed strike of bullets is seldom so good an indication. It is especially difficult to judge of the distribution of projectiles from their strike in front and in rear of the target. Suggestions from the subordinate leaders, whose view of the target is generally restricted, are often more confusing than valuable.

12. THE EFFECT OF FIRE.

COMPARISON BETWEEN LOSSES PRODUCED BY INFANTRY AND ARTILLERY FIRE.

In 1866 the Austrian artillery inflicted 16% of our losses. In 1870-71 the French artillery inflicted 8% of our losses. Up to the battle of Liao Yang the 1st Japanese Army suffered the following losses:

=
=============================+==========================          |         PERCENTAGES. |      WOUNDS. ++-++-          |  Small   |  Art'y  | Cutting | Serious.| Slight.| Very |arms fire.| fire. | weapons.|        |        |slight. -++-+-+-++- Guard Div. | 88.42   |  11.50  |   0.08  |  32.17  |  62.49 |  5.34 2d Div. | 89.43   |   7.91  |   2.30  |  44.05  |  54.89 |  1.06 12th Div. | 80.52   |  14.48  |   2.09  |  39.12  |  46.36 | 14.52 -++-+-+-++- Average    |  86.12   |  11.30  |   2.09  |  38.45  |  54.58 |  6.97 -++-+-+-++-

The figures given above under the captions "serious" (including killed), "slight," and "very slight" wounds have, of course, only a relative value. The following figures express the average losses of Russians and Japanese: