Robert - I've always been intrigued by this "beaten zone" approach. It must have been very expensive in terms of ammunition - would the men have carried enough rounds to maintain it for very long?
Musketry depended on strict adherence to fire discipline. This was enforced by the NCOs, who played a key role in assuring the coordinated effort. When you read about British infantry and the SMLE rifle, you will almost always come across the 'mad minute' - the ability to fire more than 15 aimed rounds in a minute. British infantry (and cavalry troopers) maximum pay depended on this skill. It was markmanship not musketry. Rapid fire at this rate or better would deplete the typical 120 rounds per man in less than 10 minutes. Part of fire discipline was the ability to control the rate of fire at much lower levels, around 5 rounds per minute for example for just a few minutes at a time. NCOs would call out the rate of fire as well as the start and finish for each fusillade. Stocks of small arms ammunition were kept close by. The stocks could be replenished via the logistics chain that was put in place whenever a defensive position was taken up. Even when resupply from the rear was not possible, such as the stand by the Cheshires near Elouges on the day after the Battle of Mons, the men were able to put out controlled bursts of fire for several hours before local stocks of SAA ran out.
Robert
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April 25, 2024, 07:36:26 AM
