ike to call
attention to the writings of General von Schlichting.[10]

[Footnote 10: 'Tactical and Strategical Principles of the
Present Day,' part i., chap, vii., B.]

Theoretically, the Cavalry 'Mass' is best united on that wing of the
battle front which is not supported, but destined for further
manoeuvres, hence on which the Arm will enjoy freedom of movement as
far as the ground allows. Naturally, it will not always be possible to
assign them such a place, but their position will result generally
from the course of the previous manoeuvring.

Either the Cavalry must clear the front of the Army in preparation for
the battle, in which case it is not always a matter of free choice in
which direction one has to clear off, nor can the Cavalry Commander
from his standpoint always determine which wing of the battle front
will have to manoeuvre; or it must close in from a flank for the
decision, in which case the nearest wing is their natural destination.
But they must always endeavour--and here I differ from General von
Schlichting--to range themselves forwards and sidewards of their own
Army. It will only be in cases where it is necessary to keep them in
rear of the general alignment--as, for instance, it is proposed to
use them as a last resort in the interests of the other Arms, as at
Mars la Tour--or where the battle front itself is broken up by the
nature of the ground or the grouping of the forces in such manner that
the whole engagement is divided into a series of individual actions,
as may often be the case in future Wars, that this rule must be
departed from.

Such dispositions are always less favourable because they imply in a
certain degree defensive action, whereas when placed forward in the
framework of the battle the offensive element of the Arm finds its
fullest opportunity.

That the desire to occupy such positions must not become stereotyped
goes without saying; it must always be conditioned by the general and
particular circumstances of the moment.

The course of events may, indeed, require us to take up a position to
the flank and rear of the Army, but fundamentally, forwards and to the
flank, remains the most desirable disposition. In this position the
Cavalry 'Masses' are best prepared to act against the enemy's flank,
and can best combine the fire of their own Artillery concentrically
with that of the guns and Infantry of the main body without losing
their tactical connection