A bad day for sure. But I have often wondered, in these early days of indirect fire, how observers called in that fire in mobile engagements having only wired telephones. This one was somewhat static, but still fast, so did they run wire? Perhaps the howitzers were really close. My thinking is that was left to the field guns and the howitzer sat it out until the enemy was fixed.
German artillery batteries actually had special observation carts that allowed the battery commander, or other observer, to take up an elevated position at, or near, the firing battery. These carts were fitted with ladders and an armored shield so the observer could make corrections without exposing himself unduly. Since it was usually close to the firing battery, running a wire line was no problem. German artillery units would also look for nearby high ground or trees to place observation posts and run wire there. The French artillery did not, at least at this point in World War I, have the same capabilities or tactics.
A meeting engagement fought with modern weapons using Napoleonic/Pre-Industrial Revolution tactics. What a disaster, especially for the French Army, who did not do so well in most meeting engagement battles during World War I. Even given the limitations of mobile communications then, it seems absurd to expose your artillery this way, especially the howitzers as that French Artillery Regiment could attest. However, the results for the German Army certainly suggest otherwise, for this battle anyway.
A bad day for sure. But I have often wondered, in these early days of indirect fire, how observers called in that fire in mobile engagements having only wired telephones. This one was somewhat static, but still fast, so did they run wire? Perhaps the howitzers were really close. My thinking is that was left to the field guns and the howitzer sat it out until the enemy was fixed.
German artillery batteries actually had special observation carts that allowed the battery commander, or other observer, to take up an elevated position at, or near, the firing battery. These carts were fitted with ladders and an armored shield so the observer could make corrections without exposing himself unduly. Since it was usually close to the firing battery, running a wire line was no problem. German artillery units would also look for nearby high ground or trees to place observation posts and run wire there. The French artillery did not, at least at this point in World War I, have the same capabilities or tactics.
An example of such a device
https://far64.jimdofree.com/bewaffnung-und-ausr%C3%BCstung/fahrzeuge/beobachtungswagen/
A meeting engagement fought with modern weapons using Napoleonic/Pre-Industrial Revolution tactics. What a disaster, especially for the French Army, who did not do so well in most meeting engagement battles during World War I. Even given the limitations of mobile communications then, it seems absurd to expose your artillery this way, especially the howitzers as that French Artillery Regiment could attest. However, the results for the German Army certainly suggest otherwise, for this battle anyway.
Manoeuvre and fire. My favorite.