Page:Tactics (Balck 1915).djvu/336

 standing upright can more easily execute a change of front, fire on passing cavalry, and use their bayonets in case the cavalry actually penetrates their line. The British and Italian regulations very properly prescribe that the front rank of a body of infantry in close order should kneel in such cases.

As the success of infantry depends to a great extent upon the steadiness with which it receives the cavalry, it would seem to be advantageous to withhold the fire until the cavalry gets within short range. General Dragomirov says in his forcible manner, "It is not the bullet which has been fired, but the bullet which is still in the rifle-barrel, and reserved for short range, that harms charging cavalry." If infantry in line was able to repulse a cavalry charge in the past at 40 paces, with smoothbore muskets and at the first volley, the chances of doing this with modern rifles would be still greater, if the "stopping power" of the 8 mm. projectiles were absolutely certain at short ranges. As this is not the case, it is necessary to open fire at an earlier moment. If infantry does