alternatehistory.com

Artillery training, Polish Revolt
Artillery training course - Uhlans
(Polish Revolt title for artillerymen, adopted in common with Huszaria for rifle skirmishers)

Part 1 - mathematical training and drill

The new artilleryman spends several weeks alternating between morning mathematical lessons (specifically on ballistics and on how the firing angle and air resistance can be used to calculate trajectory) and drill (reloading and dry-firing a practice artillery piece).
Graduation from part 1 requires passing a mathematical exam and a minimum reload time for a gunnery team.

Part 2 - practical applications

The trainees are required to estimate distance and elevation, and calculate trajectory and flight time for various projectiles. They are also required to recommend how they would attack an enemy at the stated range and why (for example, grapeshot v canister).
To aid rapid training, the instructors do not have to rely on their own judgement - a booklet has been made with dozens of 'problems' to set or modify.

Part 3 - practice firing

Similar to part 2, but after some problems are posed the trainees will be required to give fire on the target instead of being graded. They are allocated three stand of each kind of ammunition for a given problem.



Once this process is over, the highest scoring trainees are allocated as gun captains and the rest as their supports - though it is made clear that anyone above a certain score is expected to be able to operate their gun.

Top