=76.= =First Artillery Position.=--Every siege begins with a bombardment, which is designed, as previously stated, to drive in the outlying posts of the defence, to silence, so far as possible, the artillery annoy and wear out the garrisons of the works to be attacked, to interrupt the communications between them, break up bomb and splinter proofs, destroy magazines and depots, and, if the enceinte can be reached by the artillery, to bring a fire upon the population which will lead to or hasten the surrender of the place. The considerations which determine the location of the batteries for the general bombardment have already been given (par. 7), as well as the construction of the batteries and screens used (Chap. IV.). For the systematic attack, however, the necessity of dismounting or silencing the guns bearing upon the proposed approaches introduces the additional condition that the batteries should be so located that besides their general effect each shall fulfil, so far as practicable, its special design by bringing an enfilading or reverse fire upon certain fronts; or, in connection with other batteries, shall keep down the fire of certain fronts by a preponderance of direct fire. Many batteries which fulfil these last conditions occupy their original positions during the entire siege. The requisite concentration of fire upon the point of attack and its careful regulation for the special object in view will frequently restrict the arc occupied by the batteries below that desirable for a general bombardment only; and will necessitate a closer grouping of the batteries for their easier control by the artillery commanders. This line of batteries first established is known as the “_first artillery position_” (Pl. VIII., Figs. 80, 81). As the batteries must be secure against the attacks of the defence, they must of necessity be outside the besiegers defensive line. Their distance in yards will result from the character of the defence and may vary from 2000 or 2500 yards for a weak defence, to 3500 or 4500 yards for an active one. On account of their long range and the object to be obtained by their fire, they are armed with the heaviest rifles and howitzers available, supplemented with rifled mortars of as large calibre as can be obtained, firing, if practicable, torpedo shells charged with high explosives. Batteries of field guns which have already been favorably located for the defence of the heavier batteries against attack, or for firing upon the more advanced works, may, by modification of their gun pits into finished batteries (par. 44), be used in conjunction with the heavy batteries of the first artillery position. The total number of guns employed should be such as to give to the attack a marked superiority over the defence at the opening of the bombardment.